CAR287 UNLEASHES AMBITIOUS DEBUT LP ‘LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS’

Rising from the Winnipeg underground, CAR287 blends a multitude of different sounds. Still, their preferred path tends to lean more classic-rock. They provide a familiar, yet daring iteration of '90s and '00s radio rock in their debut record, Looking Through The Lens. Imperfect and textured, the LP offers listeners a chance to expand their musical horizons. Each song blends storytelling and solid musical compositions, though some hit home harder than others. However, Looking Through The Lens remains an intriguing listen, even with its noticeable imperfections. Of course, music is art; “good” art is not necessarily perfect, but rather, felt deeply by its maker.

In CAR287’s case, the group seems to resonate deeply with the idea of personal evolution. They tend to use technological shifts as repeated motifs, with mentions of “TikTok” and other social media platforms throughout. The overall attitude towards these platforms is one of pessimism, but perhaps not complete disdain. Instead, they acknowledge the potential harm they’re causing society, especially in songs like “The Things They Miss.” Though pessimistic, the group’s social commentary is solid. Time is fleeting, especially as the lifespan of trends becomes shorter and shorter. One could argue that this renders Looking Through The Lens a cultural necessity in that way. They didn’t perfectly curate it to fit an Instagram feed; they spent more time articulating how their surrounding world made them feel.

That said, some of their more daring choices created a bit of sonic friction. For example, the lead vocals occasionally swerve off-beat, likely due to their verbose nature. This is noticeable in a few songs, but it’s not so distracting that the tracks are unplayable. It adds character; these technical mistakes become sparks of inspiration. The same goes for the occasional missed notes throughout the songs. Sometimes, the lead vocalist misses the mark, but it’s never by far and large. His vocal range is vast, and it appears that he is still exploring each of its possibilities. Listening to this exploration in real time is fascinating as a listener, acting as counterculture to a picture-perfect media landscape that we’re usually spoonfed. Much of the lyrical content aims to rebuke those standards, so this approach is fitting.

Their lyric style presents quite a conundrum. Sometimes, it’s poetically inclined, with narratives about road rage transmuting frustration towards society at large. Others, it’s simpler, like in “Feel It Coming On.” Admittedly, that was my least favorite track from the record. I admire its catchy hooks and overall composition, but the messaging just didn’t hit home for me personally. I believe there’s an audience for it outside of me. Perhaps I am looking at it from a straightforward perspective and missing some of its integral subtext. However, I find it difficult to decipher that when the focus for the audience remains within its solid hooks. There isn’t a “bad” hook throughout Looking Through The Lens, even in songs that weren’t for me, personally.

Surprisingly, the standout track from Looking Through The Lens is “Gateway to the West.” Of course, the group refers to the Canadian West, which is vastly different from my hometown in California. This peek inside their upbringing adds a level of personalization to the record. Many subgenres tend to rebuke the stagnancy of their hometown, but not CAR287. Instead, they wrote a love letter to the Canadian west, an earnest recollection of their experience growing up there. Moreover, this song represents the best of CAR287’s musicianship. It opens with absolutely stunning harmonies that carry the entire track. As mentioned, the lead vocalist is a strong performer — he gets overzealous about what he’s singing. After all, this is his life transcribed into musical compositions. It’s bound to get messy sometimes, such is the human experience. Regardless, this song showcases the best of what CAR287 has to offer.

Perfectly imperfect, Looking Through The Lens takes listeners back to simpler times, albeit curmudgeonly at some points. Though admittedly, the record is less “get off my lawn!” and more of a plea to society, begging people to admire softer moments embedded in the chaos. Moreover, the record is the band’s debut; a stunning reminder that art should be made regardless of the artist’s perceived stage of “readiness.” The technical imperfections make it a more intriguing listen, especially if you take a moment to think about what the band is saying to you. They get a bit ranty, but not without reason. There is enough admiration towards life for CAR287 to be a qualified critic of it, too. Overall, Looking Through the Lens is a wonderfully balanced debut.