Edmonton raised, Toronto based Christian Hansen sounds like a jaded indie rocker looking at the tattoos with bittersweet reflections on his new solo CD “C’mon Arizona.”
Hansen, whose band used to be called the Autistics, sounds like he comes right out of ’80s new wave, synth powered pop world.
But his lyrics are considerably darker than the lively synth -powered melodies he sings.
He sings about hipsters, technology, war, watching friends growing up, having kids, going back to school, while he plays music, starts a record company and watches it fail. He muses about religion and war on the second track “Spirit Guide.”
“Hurry Up And Die,” is one of the standouts, which has an cheerful melody but dark lyrics. Molly Flood adds appealing background vocals on several tracks.
His sound is a blend of ’80s new wave influences like Men Without Hats, New Order and more modern bands like Mother Mother and Said The Whale with just a touch of lounge music.
He picks up the guitar and turns it up on the four chord rocker “I Hate Punk Rock,” which should be the anthem for every up and coming band who has ever driven hundreds of kilometres across snow-covered plains to play for five people.
His shot at hipsters, “You Were A Juggalo,” is a highlight.
He also has several songs about death and dying, like the riveting “Middle of the Night.”
“Peckerwood” is a disturbing song which perfectly blends bright melodies and disturbing lyrics.
He ends on a guitar powered highlight, “C’mon Arizona,” which brings the disc to a rollicking close.
Artist: Christian Hansen
Genre: pop/rock
