Following in the diverse footsteps of Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Frankie Sparo, The Hidden Cameras and The Stills, THE MINIATURES are yet another intriguing outfit from the vast Canadian continent out to carve a niche in the currently cooking independent scene.
For those not yet acquainted, The Miniatures are a sextet comprising Ian Smith (lead vocals/ guitars), Nick Skalkos (drums), Chris Finn (guitar/ vocals), Ryan Allen (bass), Kevin Hundt (keyboards) and percussionist Shawn Feeney and with this EP they prove to be an interesting proposition capable of enough diversity to hold the attention.
Lead track "Detached Screenwriter" is something of a mini-masterpiece. The very essence of the over-worked term 'cinematic', it's fair drenched in atmosphere and builds from doleful strumming via drum loops, moody keyboards and soft-sucking hi-hat driven disco beats into a song of some literacy and obsession. "Your day has not begun until I've written you in, you're in my script" croons Smith malevolently as the neo-baroque atmosphere is completed by drifting harmonies. Although it's hardly a ringer sonically, the band it most reminds me of is Magazine and it's quite a compliment from this writer to say Ian Smith's technique possesses Howard Devoto's chill factor here.
The remainder of the EP's not quite in the same league and makes The Miniatures sound earthbound and normal by comparison. The live "Haunted Heart" especially, with its' stripped down rattling rockabilly riifs and squealing Hendrix-y lead breaks screams good-time rock'nroll, although I do like the lyrical gems like "If I live to see tomorrow afternoon I'll make sure my ghost takes good care of you."
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"Dragonfly" is also garage-y in execution, though the staccato guitars are effective, as are the heroic tambourines fluttering by on the wind and Smith's drawly compressed vocals recall Steve Wynn. Arguably better is "Coma Kid", also the title track from the band's new album. This chugs and nags effectively and reminds of classic Transatlantic power pop of the Fountains Of Wayne school. Again Smith's lyrical input draws you in ("I'm burned up like a summer leaf yeah, seasons retire - showing off the scenery at the scene of the crime") and the melody certainly clings to you after a couple of plays.
Intriguing and slightly quixotic stylistically, The Miniatures may sound small but clearly think big. "At The Scene Of The Crime" leaves plenty of clues you'll want to pick up and put together over the course of a full-length album.
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