Maximum RNR - s/t
(Ind.)

Believe it or not,Canada has a pretty good reputation for putting out solid rock and roll albums. Names likeDanko Jones, Tricky Woo, and The Smugglers have been delivering raw, sweat-soakedrock action for years before the so-called rock revival trend hit (and incidentally,is that over yet?). Toronto’s Maximum RNR seem poised and determined to join the ranksof these legends, and although their debut 6 song EP does not immediately vault them upto the same level, it is a step in the right direction.Truth be told, they would probably rather be seen alongside the likes of The Dwarves andThe Dictators anyways.

Starting out under the name Maximum R&B, a number of mis-bookings anda lead singer replacement prompted the band to amend their name, ensuring thatpeople would understand that they were a balls-out, loud and snotty punk rockand roll band, not a mod or soul band.But if the new name didn’t make it clear anough, this EP will erase any doubt as to whatthey are all about (even if the upwards pointing arrow in their logo still seemslike a misplaced mod reference).

It’s easy to pick up on the influences in their music; from current bands likethe New Bomb Turks and Zeke, to old school favourites such as the MC5 and Iggy & The Stooges,Maximum RNR know their RNR history well.

Lead singer Louie Durand’s snarl is the perfect complement for the music, edgy and vicious, and Ian Blurton’s production makes the whole thing sound authentic and lo-fi without sounding like crap.

Of course, when you have a look at the lyrics and song titles you get the feeling thatthese guys are trying a little too hard to adopt the typical rebellious, bad ass rock n roll attitude.Songs like “Southern Comfort”, “Switchblade” and “DFF” (Drink Fight Fuck) seem a bit fabricated, and part of the problem is that it’s obvious how much fun they’re having playing the music. They do have a reputation for sustaining numerous injuries during live performances though, so maybe they have earned the right to sing about a rough and tumble lifestyle. I guess the bigger issue here is simply that they need to find their own style and cultivate it, but that is to be expected for a band’s first recording.

Another common snag that rock bands seem to hit nowadays is that they havetrouble walking the line between raw, dirty rock n roll and metal.Clearly there is a point where the two genres converge, and somewhere near that point you’d probably find bands like Motorhead and AC/DC (another obvious influence onMaximum RNR). While this is a matter of personal preference, I think that rock androll is more effective when you keep it simple, and there are moments where there is too muchguitar shredding going on in Maximum RNR’s music to uphold the level of power and energy they are expending. You can tell there are some former metalheads in this band, andevery now and then it shines through. This may or may not be seen as a good thing.

When these guys are on, however, they are definitely on. I was impressed with the quality of these 6 songs, especially for a band that’s been together for such a short period of time. Fans of any of the aforementioned influences will definitely dig Maximum RNR, or anyone who can appreciate that middle ground between rock and roll and metal. What they lack in originality, they make up for in blood and sweat. No tears though, because that’s only for wussies. — Sean