Coming from the same Canadian stable as uber-punks Hostage Life (now on HHN in the UK), Machete Avenue are a much less abrasive prospect; but a very good prospect nevertheless. An acoustic/piano based project, ‘The First Cuts’ is a powerful little EP that wipes the floor with many stripped down bands. What really stands out is just how emotion-packed this record really is, and while I hate to use one of the old cliches in the book, vocalist Chad really does mean what he sings. It doesn’t take a genius to work out this band wear their hearts firmly on their sleeves. Think Hot Water Music gone acoustic, or something similar.
There are 7 tracks here, the last a beautiful piano led instrumental, one of which is a cover of the Cyndi Lauper ‘classic’ ‘Time After Time’, which is actually given a whole new lease of life. Initially I didn’t even recognise it, which is always the sign of a good cover. The opening ‘Cut To Pieces’ is fantastic, while ‘Waterfall’ and the brilliant ‘The Capsule’ kick things off the right way. While Machete Avenue may not be one of the first bands to roll off the tongue when you’re thinking about acoustic bands, this is a really impressive record that you should check out as soon as possible.