13 Engines

Conquistador (EMI)
by Sheril Stanford

Conquistador is the fifth full-length release for Toronto’s 13 Engines. These engines are driven by the skillful sticks of drummer Grant Ethier, and they’re kept purring by the They Might Be Giants-like vocals of John Critchly. The overall sound is oddly organic and natural; this is exceptionally pure pop, honest and accessible. Many of the tunes have a certain melancholy to them, particularly the ones featuring slide guitar and banjo. The lyrics on these cuts are sometimes enigmatic and sometimes blatantly obvious, but never predictable and always subtle and intelligent. 13 Engines gives you music with nothing to hide.