Listen: The Wilderness of Manitoba - "Leave Someone"

If you weren't aware that Toronto based folkies The Wilderness of Manitoba were on album four well no one would really blame you. After their US debut (which was actually their sophomore record) When You Left The Fire back in 2011, they've pretty much kept things north of the border while venturing south for the odd show here or there. With the announcement of their upcoming record Between Colours however, hopefully another US release in on the horizon because first single "Leave Someone" is for lack of a better term such a jam.

For those that missed Island of Echoes, "Leave Someone" is an introduction not only to The Wilderness of Manitoba's new addition Amanda Balsys but also a distinctly less folk-oriented sound. In fact, Between Colours sees the band trimmed down from quintet to trio but rather than slowing them down, "Leave Someone" shows that the band has been galvanized by it's metaphorical new blood as they bypass folk pretty much altogether and land squarely at rollicking, fervent rock. Though the track isn't all aggressive forward momentum, leaning on the brakes at precisely the right time to offer a slight reprieve in the form of  Will Whitwham's tender vocal solo. From them on, it's back to the spirited gallop to the finish and right into the hearts of Wilderness of Manitoba fans old and new.



The Wilderness of Manitoba's third full length album Between Colours is out September 16th on Pheromone Records.

(via Exclaim!)

The Wilderness of Manitoba - When You Left the Fire (2011)

My introduction to The Wilderness of Manitoba is thanks to the cool people of Amazon Mp3 who recently made "Summer Fires" available for free download as part of their Free Song of the Day. I didn't actually download the free track but I did check out the band. Turns out the Wilderness of Manitoba aren't actually from Manitoba but instead from the much more musically relevant Toronto.

Beginning with simple finger-picked guitar lines on "Orono Park", it's clear that When You Left the Fire is going to be enjoyable. And then a banjo enters followed almost immediatebly by group vocal harmonies and then there's no doubt in your mind it's going to be good. The folk quintet take their time and it's rewarded with great tunes practically bursting with the talent of all those enlisted to make it. As evidenced by the vaguely experimental "Hermit" (whose lyrics are where the album gets its name), The Wilderness of Manitoba aren't above seeking out less folksy elements to enhance their music making.

When You Left the Fire is a slow burner of an album, slowly building towards the positively mammoth 13 minute and change instrumental album closer "Reveries En Couleurs". It's also an album that's unabashedly folk. There's banjos, washboards, and a harmonica that disappears almost as suddenly as it appears. And yet this unashamedly folk album is far from boring. The quintet may take time before launching into the lyric side of things but that just means there's more time to enjoy the amazing melodies they come up with. That and it makes the vocals that much more appreciated when they do enter. When You Left the Fire maybe be a slow burner but it just gives you more time to appreciate all the little things the band does well. It's an album that's sure not to disappoint!

You can still get "Summer Fires" for free at Amazon here. Or get a taste of The Wilderness of Manitoba with a live video uploaded just last week featuring a non-album track called "Chasing Horses":