Greg Rekus – Sibling Cities – Review

In an ordinary morning of this springtime (that is more like Autumn to be honest), the good Tommaso got in touch with me: “Listen, a certain Greg Rekus wrote me.. he says that he’s got a band, he plays folk punk..” -“Ok for the review” I immediately answer him without letting him go beyond, a little because I’m a precog, a little because I really like folk punk; I think it’s suitable for every season, whether it is a wretched Spring or a Winter of our discontentment, or a hybrid that afflicts us during these days.
I read trough the complement notes that Greg comes from Canada, a savage place which has given us beautiful dreams as No Means No, or horrific nightmares like Celine Dion; while the rain pounds heavily on the window, I open the link on Bandcamp and get the music starting.. I must be sincere, I didn’t know Greg before, but at the first listening (and also second, third, fourth…) I must say that “Sibling Cities”, the third album by Greg Rekus and The Inside Job, flows like a charm.
Personally, I wouldn’t identify it as ‘folk punk’ narrowly, but more like a kind of pop-punk rock and roll alternately emo, but without being sickening.
In these 13 songs that form the album I can find references/similitude of bands like Hot Water Music, The Gaslight Anthem, and for example Not Half Bad or Shut Up Matt Jewett too: so a unusual and interesting mix.
Special mention to the fifth track “Creeden Chords”, potential hit that seems to stay in your head quickly, my favourite of the ‘batch’ for sure.
Outside it’s still raining, oh well.. I’ll replay the record and uncork the second beer, a toast to you Greg..

Reviewed by Ombra Punk
Translated by Chiara Piva