Territory

VINYL FORMAT. Territory is the follow up to the Charlottetown band's internationally acclaimed sophomore album, Little Jabs. Once again produced by Joel Plaskett, Territory builds on the promise of Little Jabs as the band continues to write and record sunny pop gems for the heart and head. Territory, however, also finds Two Hours Traffic discovering the shadows at the side of the road. Right from the get go this becomes apparent as the gold into lead alchemy of the rousing opener "Noisemaker" kicks in, and by the time the title track tells its tale of disillusionment and betrayal you know you are settling in for a drive on the darker side. Indeed, songs such as "Weightless One," "Drop Alcohol," "Wicked Side," and "Lost Boys" all explore the approaching dusk; but just like the more hopeful tracks on the album ("Happiness Burns," "Sing a Little Hymn") they all lock into the close-your-eyes, sing-along choruses and instantly memorable lyrics that have put Two Hours Traffic on the melodic map. Initially conceived as a two-piece, lead singer Liam Corcoran and guitarist Alec O'Hanley recruited bassist Andrew MacDonald and drummer Derek Ellis while attending university in their hometown of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. After releasing their April Storm EP in 2003, a friendship was struck up with Halifax hero Joel Plaskett who offered to produce the band's first proper album. They've been working together ever since. While their eponymous debut and their follow up Isolator EP were received warmly by critics, it wasn't until 2007's breakthrough Little Jabs that the world really took notice.