Only Ohbijou can make Toronto romantic. On Beacons, this
orchestral indie-pop six-piece recounts the quiet, exciting and
sometimes melancholic moments of living in the city. “New Years” begins
with anticipation, and builds like a first love. “Memorium,” about a
destructive fire on Queen and Bathurst, is the area’s loveliest tribute
since Lowest of Low was nearly kissed blind on the corner. Ohbijou
doesn’t mask compositional nuances behind a wall of noise—strings,
mandolins and piano roar and soar, while Casey Mecija’s ethereally
pretty voice keeps everyone grounded. See Ohbijou Saturday at Sappy and
again at the Pop Explosion in October.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2009.