Constantines

Location: Toronto
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Review:

Constantines took their name from investigative journalist Alex Constantine, a journalist who has spent a lifetime trying to expose fascism. Are they trying to say something here? I can be dense, but there’s a message here somewhere. That message is clear on the Constantines’ latest album “Kensington Heights,” and i think Alex would be proud. I don’t think it would be too much of a stretch to call the current state of the major label record industry ‘fascist.’ We’re fed the same crap daily, told that it’s good, and expected to buy into the supposed crossover talents of the latest teenage actor-slash-singer. Constantines bring anthemic rock music that speaks on a very personal level, that rails against the predictability and scriptedness of certain platinum selling Canadian rock counterparts. Their rock credibilty is not a facade that they somehow sell to the masses.
The bring ‘real’ like The Clash and Fugazi brought ‘real.’ Their music is an homage to the best that rock has offer while at the same time being completely unique and set apart. This is band that can make Dolly Parton Kenny Rogers duet (performed with Feist) sound edgy and powerful. As they say, the best way to fight the power is from within. That being the case, this band is fighting hard.