B-Side Guys

Constructed around an unconventional progression of C, Fm, and E7 chords, We Found a Lovebird’s “Chet” opens like a half-remembered dream, transforming jazz legend Chet Baker’s words into a meditation on acceptance. The Vancouver outfit’s latest single demonstrates their masterful ability to blend atmospheric rock with deeper historical resonance.

Larry Lechner’s guitar work creates a hypnotic foundation that mirrors the contemplative nature of Baker’s sentiment. The band’s characteristic “chiming rock” approach takes on new dimensions here, with the unusual chord sequence creating a sense of suspended time that perfectly suits the subject matter.

Drawing direct inspiration from Bruce Weber’s documentary on Baker, the track carries a fascinating dual nostalgia – both for the jazz era Baker embodied and the Television-esque guitar interplay that defines We Found a Lovebird’s sound. This layered approach to influence feels especially potent given the band’s own lengthy history since their 2009 formation.

The production maintains a delicate balance between clarity and mystery, allowing each instrumental element to shimmer while preserving an overall sense of wistful haziness. This attention to sonic detail has become a hallmark of the band’s work, earning them consistent support from tastemakers like CBC and KEXP over their three-album career.

As the latest single from their upcoming album “With Friends Like These,” “Chet” suggests a band continuing to expand their palette while maintaining their essential character. The track’s moody atmospherics and evocative arrangement demonstrate why Halifax critic David Boyle’s comparisons to Television’s “2019 Deluxe Hotel” feel particularly apt.

Vancouver’s geographical removal from the New York rock scene that clearly influences their sound creates an interesting tension in their work. Rather than simply mimicking East Coast aesthetics, We Found a Lovebird transmutes these influences through their West Coast perspective, creating something both familiar and distinctly their own.

This latest offering from the Polaris Music Prize nominees showcases their ability to weave complex musical and thematic threads into accessible rock frameworks. The band’s evolution from regional favorites to respected national artists mirrors the timeless quality they bring to their material.

By building a song around Baker’s verbatim response about regret (or lack thereof), We Found a Lovebird creates a fascinating dialogue between past and present, between jazz and rock, between East and West. “Chet” stands as both tribute and statement of artistic purpose, suggesting their upcoming album might represent yet another peak in their steady ascent.