March to a New(ish) Beat

Toronto-based band We're Marching On (or WAMO if you prefer) are back from hiatus as guitar player Tim has returned from China. The band is celebrating by kicking off a short Ontario tour and promoting their EP Argh! Umph! Ahhh! at the Horseshoe tomorrow night.

Despite a questionable title choice for the EP, Argh! Umph! Ahhh! is a consistently solid collection of folk influenced, upbeat pop songs. Dance beats accompany high-pitched but soulful vocals reminiscent of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's Alec Ounsworth. Sometimes epic (see "Anthem"), each track is earnest but not overly sentimental. Catchy and optimistic, the EP is rife with fist-clencher sing-alongs, tight hooks and the occasional hand clap jams.

Most striking is how tapped in the band is without being annoyingly trendy, perhaps because they don't appear to take themselves too seriously. Torontoist predicts this could be the buzz-band of the year, so tomorrow is a good chance to decide for yourself.

Tomorrow night (March 22) with Born Ruffians at the Horseshoe Tavern, 10:30 p.m., $8.

Photo courtesy of Stage Fright Publicity.