By: David Schultz

Rock Plaza Central proves the point that the Arcade Fire hasn't cornered the market on heartfelt, literate indie-rock from the Canadian provinces. The Toronto natives' latest release, Are We Not Horses?, a quirky collection of off-beat catchy songs teems with ambition. Breathing life into the fading form of the concept album, Rock Plaza Central's latest is a futuristic western about robotic horses who think they are real, Sure, it's a bit derivative of Blade Runner, but in the hands of Chris Eaton, Are We Not Horses? reaches the same captivating levels of its cinematic counterpart. The lofty narrative structure isn't a stretch for Eaton, who's already published two novels, which makes two more than Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger have written combined.

Right from the outset, Eaton draws you into his world with the empathic "I Am An Excellent Steel Horse." Prominently using banjo, accordion, violin and trumpet, Rock Plaza Central churn out unlikely anthems like "My Children, By Joyful" and zippy hoedowns like "08/14/03." Eaton gives voice to Rock Plaza Central’s mechanical beasts in a hurried, twang that crackles with pathos, getting the same scratchy soul out of his voice as Jack White. The nontraditional arrangements sparkle: "Fifteen Hands" benefits from Fiona Stewart's sparse, jittery violin; "Are We Not Horses?" places its existential angst on top of Donald Murray's urgent mandolin and the trumpets on "Our Pasts, Like Lighthouses" blend seamlessly into the guitars and Eaton's voice.

Eaton's creative storyline provides another level upon which to enjoy Are We Not Horses? Even without the unifying theme, Rock Plaza Central's created an offbeat opus that will make it even harder for the next group of idiosyncratic Canadians who try to conquer America.

Labels: Rock Plaza Central