Critiques CD: The Winks | Twilights

One of Montreal’s better kept musical secrets, The Winks’ third full-length is a perfect snapshot of the four-piece’s weirdo calliope pop. Led by the twin wonder powers of co-vocalists Tyr Jami (elfin-voiced cellist) and Todd Macdonald (mandolin, sampling), the band treads through swamps of colourful underground orchestral rock, buoyed by humorous-meets-head-scratching tales of monsters in and out of love. Violinist Josh Zubot lays down his bow in favour of a pair of loud drumsticks, while Soren Brothers adds countless sound dimensions and alleyways with his analog synth and melodica interplay.