Adrenaline Crush

Econoline Crush version 2008

Now I'm older, wiser and bitterly cynical, it takes something fairly special to get me to raise little more than a skeptical eyebrow. The news that Canadian alt-rockers Econoline Crush have reformed has been the most recent reason for me bouncing around my room (read: padded cell) with joy. True, I'm bringing you this update somewhat late as the band announced this news some time ago, but in my defence there is an ocean or two seperating our continents AND I'm only usually allowed to communicate with the outside world via messenger squirrel. True, their news might take some time to arrive but at least they work for little more than a handful of nuts, but I've digressed.

Fact remains that vocalist Trevor Hurst is back from the wilderness, metaphorically speaking, following a sabbatical fronting his solo band, simply called Hurst, who released one superb EP, 'Wanderlust' back in '05. Along for the ride in Econoline Crush v2.0 are guitarist Kai, bassist Scott Whalen and drummer Brent Fitz. Worryingly, Hurst aside, none of this current roster have actually been in a previous incarnation of the band, but a quick blast through the new tracks featured on new album 'Ignite' reveal that EC of 2008 can still knock out some concise pop rock gems, chock full of ice cool riffs and pulsing with an electronic groove that's somewhere between Stabbing Westward and Gravity Kills. Most impressively of all, Hurst's voice sounds better than ever. Sharing a sound consistent with that of their second album, the awesome 'The Devil You Know', 'Ignite' is produced by Sylvia Massey. For a preview head on over to their MySpace page and tell 'em Blendetta sent you…

- Giles Moorhouse

Check out the video for Econoline Crush's "Dirty":