Nothing has changed for this Toronto-via-Alberta trio: Nils Edenloff still strums and sings his heart out. Amy Cole deploys ethereal keyboard textures. And Paul Banwatt drives the show with his dynamic, spirited drumming. It was a winning formula on the debut Hometowns and continues merrily along with Departing, about the transient relationships and notable moments you try to hold onto when you’re running around the world as much as this band does. What Edenloff’s voice lacks in technical prowess it makes up for in impassioned delivery, as on “Goodnight” when he sings, “Maybe if you get back together in your heart, maybe we could get back together.” Hummable and heartfelt, Departing is worth going back to.
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2011.
