Young Benjamins

On debut full-length Less Argue, Saskatoon, SK's Young Benjamins have made great strides since their 2012 EP. They've toned down their primitive folk inclinations and have embraced their unabashed pop sensibilities, making for what is, at times, a sweeping and engaging listen. Less Argue is a completely benign debut and the four-piece should be applauded for crafting songs of promise; yet, too often, Less Argue contains more promise than results. "Out There (in the Wild)" brims with the kind of rolling, rumbling, folk-inspired rock Rural Alberta Advantage made their name with. There's simplistic charm within these songs capable of reaching great heights. Lost in the shuffle, however, is the ability to expose the great heights that much of Less Argue is capable of. Hints of larger sonic landscapes are littered throughout "Common Thief" and "Jasper, AB" — those large, lush arrangements are the band's most redeeming quality. When UK-born vocalist Neusha Mofazzali and multi-instrumentalist Veronique Poulin find common ground, their chemistry hints at enormous possibilities. Less Argue is a fun enough listen. Their tales of the common man lend another voice to modern Canadiana and their sonic language is on the verge of spacious new territory. The violin-driven "Move, Move!" is one of the finer tracks, mastering a wave of intrepid motion. It's the kind of wave that one would hope the band ride and explore a little more before their next full-length.