The Most Serene Republic November 14, 2009

There have been countless records that begin with the same bombast as The Most Serene Republic’s "…And The Ever Expanding Universe", but few have taken listeners down a path of such enriching, introspective discovery. Long masters at stimulating senses and stirring emotions, the Ontario-based band have never sounded this immediate and attainable. The sonic density of their previous efforts has given way to more dynamic, engaging fare, as visceral as the most obviously cloying pop music but with a more scintillating head on its shoulders. With its amalgam of anthemic pop, electronica, ornate classical flourishes, and yes, some not-so-obvious nods to classic R&B, this is not the document of a band ingratiating itself for broader appeal. With new drummer Adam Balsam infusing their sound with an unexpectedly swinging stomp, The Most Serene Republic sound as challenging as ever. If the goal was to get middle-aged parents to understand and appreciate "..And The Ever Expanding Universe", then it’s going to take some awfully open-minded parents. According to the band’s musical figurehead Ryan Lenssen,“I would love to be able to communicate with the whole world one day but I’m pretty happy with the way things are going right now.” Lenssen admits, “If our music can take care of the few people who want to discover the world in a different light or do crazy things, I’m really happy to facilitate sending our message to those people.”

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