You'll Like What I Tell You to Like: Wasted Generation

Hey Heaviside. 1971 called. They want their record back.

If that sounds like an insult, it’s not. Think back to 1971. It was a glorious time: people strutted around in mismatched plaids, cars were as long as city blocks, and pop lyrics were more along the lines of  “There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold / And she’s buying a stairway to heaven” than “You a stupid ho.”

Yes, Heaviside’s debut Wasted Generation is loud, it’s riff-driven, and it’s retro. If you’re into solid block chords and in-depth lyrics about plugging that special lady, you’ll be disappointed here; this is a band that puts the music first, and all the other stuff a distant second. In a day and age when music is as much a product as a drain cleaner or an antidepressant, it’s nothing short of inspiring to find a band who puts their values before the prospect of cash and commercial glory.

Nowadays, perfect pitch is just a mouse click away, but Heaviside decided to take an alternate route: actually playing their own instruments. Rest assured that everything that hits your ears on this record, from every thunderous drumbeat to each full-bodied vocal howl, is the real deal. This is the auditory equivalent of good hearty whole-wheat bread from Grandma’s oven; no acetylated distarch adipate or butylated hydroxyanisole here.

The album starts off strong with the noisy, energetic “War Machine,” a tune that seems tailor-made for a Michael Bay movie. The explosions! The frantic excitement! The track practically begs to be cranked up and blasted out of the windows of a car that may or may not actually be a Transformer.

And the energy doesn’t taper from there. Track after track the adrenaline builds, peaking with the singalong debut single “Lady.” With its steady bass groove and easy-to-learn chorus, this is a track just made for the arena.

In fact, this whole band is made for the arena. The kind of energy they bring to the stage can’t be contained in small clubs. If you’re in the Edmonton area, check out a live show. You may think you’ve seen sweaty, but until you’ve seen Heaviside in action, you haven’t. The band is all over the stage, throwing in the odd high leap or behind-the-head solo, and their audience is always equally engaged.

The band’s influences are far-flung. There’s a distinct similarity to Wolfmother, and “Aurora” echoes Priestess. Singer Mitchell Reynaud’s vocals compare to shrieking majesty of Chris Cornell, guitarist Johno Hermary’s nimble picking (and onstage attire) are reminiscent of a certain man in a hat, and the overall Zeppelin-esque impression is undeniable.

This is a band that’s well-read when it comes to classic rock. They know what’s good. So it’s no accident that the band went with the title Wasted Generation. You can hear it in the closing track—“Oh wasted youth, lost in time, lost in the basement.” That’s where most of today’s youth are, at least in terms of music.

Let’s hope that Heaviside makes it big and today’s wasted youth, who have cut their teeth on Rihanna and Nickelback, will learn that music is not limited to inane drum beats, strobe lights and one-liners deriding female sexuality.

Pick up the album on iTunes or visit the band’s website at www.heavisidemusic.ca.