June 9 2014 – Alert The Medic played the Rivoli on Friday night to celebrate the launch of their new CD The Phantom Moves, the long awaited follow-up to We, The Weapon. It was definitely worth the wait though because, like a fine wine, the boys are only getting better with age. The Phantom Moves builds upon a solid foundation. It’s definitely evolutionary rather than revolutionary and ATM fans won’t be disappointed. Alert The Medic is this generation’s The Tragically Hip and have a sound that’s distinctly Canadian.
The band played The Phantom Moves to a great reception at the Rivoli and and it sounded even better live. I’ve seen the band numerous times since first seeing them at the Supermarket a couple years ago and while the band is always on their game, on this night they were truly at the top of it playing with a renewed energy and passion. The rhythm section of Matt Campbell on bass and Dale Wilson on drums in particular drove the re-invigorated, powerful sound.
Wilson did his best Neil Peart impression with incredible rapid-fire precision playing. Frontman vocalist/guitarist Ryan MacDonald took to the piano for several songs letting Campbell fill out the rhythm on his bass. Lead guitarist Troy Arseneault plays tasty fills and solos and, like Pete Townshend, he has a knack for not overplaying the song. Ultimately it’s MacDonald that leads the band with an infectious energy that connects with the audience.
The highlight of the show still came from We, The Weapon, when about half an hour into the show they rocked the Riv to its foundations with a thunderous version of their best song Cross Your Fingers. Instead of setting up a big finish to a typical 40 minute set, they were were in fact not even half way through the extended show, with much of We, The Weapon filling out the set.
Congrats to Alert The Medic for a great new album. I only hope it doesn’t take another five years for the follow-up to this one!
Review and photos by Steve Mallinson
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