Seven Year Old Poets

The first time I heard the title track of this Victoria-based rock quartet's debut I thought it reminded me of someone, but I couldn't put my finger on who. The second time around I realized it sounded like Cracker, and I mean Cracker at its mid-'90s best. Guitarist-vocalists Bosma Von David and Tungsten Shoestepper, bassist-vocalist Seamus Knuckles, and drummer-vocalist Ching create an exhilarating rock noise that David Lowery would be proud of. And the good news is that "Blank Tape" is only one of several standout rockers on this self-produced, 10-track effort. "I Already Knew" sounds like an outtake (that should have been a keeper) from the Tragically Hip's Phantom Power CD; "Maintenant" is a balls-to-the-walls rave-up that brings to mind the melodic raunch of Iggy Pop. The group gets a raging, ragged Foo Fighters vibe going on "Short Ride on a Mustang", and the closer, "Long Day Here", doesn't echo anyone in particular: it's just damn catchy in its own right. All in all, Blank Tape is one of the most consistently impressive guitar-rock records to come out of B.C. so far this year.