Sound of Lions – 11.44 [Review]

Sound of Lions is not a typical indie band.
While several bands have done the indie-pop sound before, SOL add trip-hop beats and other sounds to build on the indie vibe.
11.44, their debut full-length album, dropped on September 9, 2011.

For those not familiar, Sound Of Lions started out as a duo with vocalist Whitney Delion and keyboardist/turntablist/sampler Christian Awad. The band has since expanded to include guitarist Will Assaad (ex-Oceans), drummer Marco Campagna, and bassist Joel Soucy (Old Crowns).

Three songs from the bands Good Night Bad Weather EP have been re-recorded and included on the album.
While that EP had more of a trip-hop, groovy feel, 11:44 is more guitar- and band-oriented, but still manages to maintain a traditional trip-hop feel.

Of particular note are Whitney’s vocals, which are silky and sultry, lending an air of sensuality to the record.
That said, the music behind her isn’t mere background noise. Mixing a balance of soulful, yet driving, rock with a warm take on electronic beats, the elements all combine to form a unique blend.

In a crowded Ottawa music scene, Sound Of Lions stand out by mixing time-honoured styles and putting their own spin on it.

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