Artist: The Nines, Album: Calling Distance Stations, Song: Take What You Want

The Nines are a rock band from Toronto.  The founder of the band is multi-instrumentalist, Steve Eggers.  He started the band in 1994 with the release of their first independent EP which caught on with college radio and attracted the attention of Polygram Records.  However, an actual full length release wouldn't occur until 1998 when the band released their album with The Barenaked Ladies' label, Page Music.  Since then, they have released 5 albums; their most recent in 2011 which is a collection of unreleased material.  The band has toured internationally and has gone through a number of member changes but the mainstay and creative centre for the band is Eggers.  Calling Distance Stations was their third release from 2006.  They have a 60's inspired power pop sound that would be similar to XTC and Jellyfish.  Andy Partridge (XTC) and Jason Falkner (Jellyfish) both contribute musically to this album as well.  XTC needs no introduction to most.  A major new wave band from Britain with some wonderful songs like Dear God, Senses Working Overtime as well as the classic Making Plans For Nigel.  On the other hand, Jellyfish, were only together for a few years and maybe two albums but are often reflected upon when speaking about the history of power pop.  Their debut, Bellybutton, had a wonderful song called, Baby's Coming Back, on it that I played heavily.  So certainly not bad company for Eggers to be keeping and it likely speaks to how talented an artist he is.  You can keep tabs on The Nines at http://ninespop.com/.  One very cool tune from this release is the song, Take What You Want.  You can check it out on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHTNbmojv9I).  You can purchase the album, Calling Distance Stations, on Itunes.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!