Grand National’s Kicking the National Habit originally came out in 2004 but I completely missed it. Oddly enough, the band actually did put out an album in 2007 called Drink and a Quick Decision. It’s good, but it’s no Kicking. The band released a limited edition version last year which features 4 bonus tracks and a couple remixes. The bonus tracks are good (i enjoy the remixes probably more than the bonus tracks) but don’t compare to the brilliant stuff that makes up the original album.
I’ve listened to this album a ton this year. This is quite surprising since I listen to almost no other music which sounds similar to this album. It’s one part rock, one part digital, one part 80s, and one part fucking awesome. I think if I was asked to DJ at a place on College street in Toronto I’d just put on this album. It has something for everyone who could be in a College Street bar (minus the Cloak & Dagger). Some of the tracks could be played in a house club (Playing in the Distance), some seem fit for the lounge at the W (Peanut Dreams), whereas others could be used in the closing credits of a Michael Mann film (Talk Amongst Yourselves).