Private Lives

Private Lives

Salt of the Earth

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***"More musically accomplished, more obsessively self-questioning, and with equally energetic yet simply deceiving performances, Salt of The Earth finds Private Lives coming into their own. The Montreal group of hitmakers—vocalist Jackie Blenkarn, guitarist Chance Hutchison, bassist Josh Herlihey, and drummer Drew Demers—swerve through a bumper-to-bumper sprawl of charging vocals, searing guitar lines, and a bolting rhythm section that proves sheer rock ‘n’ roll is still very much alive. Where their debut LP Hit Record was a snapshot of a band in motion, Salt of The Earth is a perfect result of the group's rapid evolution, undercutting power pop conventions and challenging itself track after track. 'I Get Around' and 'Be Your Girl' refuse to keep their foot off the pedal with their snappy and primitive at best garage rock while the simply deceptive pop charm of 'Wrong Again' is slashed, spurted, and jangled. 'On My Own' bursts through the speakers with its one-two punch of ‘60s girl group melodies and “Psychic Beat” and 'Dealer’s Choice' are a glorious jolt of high-power guitar bliss. In a time of derivative punk trends, Salt of The Earth is a refreshing take for pure pop for now people." —JM / Paperface Zine

Private Lives

HIT RECORD

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***The debut album from Private Lives is a bold proclamation—HIT RECORD. From their humble beginnings as a quarantine bedroom project to the full-fledged rock'n'roll unit they've become, Private Lives set up ten tracks and strike 'em down in one smooth release. Part of the current wave of Montréal underground talent alongside Tha Retail Simps, Hélène Barbier, and Liquid Assets (to name a few)—Private Lives debuted in 2022 with their scorching self-titled EP on Feel It. Those five cuts are stitched into PL's vinyl debut, re-sequenced with new material that finds the four piece at the height of their collective powers. With Jackie Blenkarn's cool and confident vocals riding high in the mix, the group hammer out an impressive debut full length anchored by the strength of "Trust In Me," "Misfortune," and the title track, "Hit Record." There's not a moment of hesitation across these twenty-seven minutes. Whether it's the overarching simplicity of the r'n'r/garage-mined guitars, underlying pop charm, or deeper post-punk melodies—HIT RECORD—is both cathartic and familiar—a truly impressive combination of heart-meets-cool. As Private Lives wind the album away in the psychotic build of "Dark Spots," the Quebec quartet leave us with a captivating debut that begs to be spun again and again. (STREET DATE - 7/14/2023)

Private Lives

s/t

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***Five tracks of incredibly vital and hard hitting punk from Montréal! Private Lives morphed from the pandemic bedroom project of husband and wife Chance (guitar) and Jackie (vocals) into a full-fledged band with the addition of Frank (drums) and Josh (bass). Previous projects include Priors, Pale Lips and Lonely Parade. Private Lives stretch their sound from tuneful, straightforward punk to atmospheric post-punk with surfy guitar leads and vibrant vocals right up front in the mix. A highly impressive thirteen minute debut!