Gig (Live)

Album Review

The Northern Pikes were Canadian radio staples in the late '80s and early '90s, playing their spirited guitar and drums brand of rock & roll, with their music gauged from professionally serious to haphazardly amusing. Gig showcases both sides of the Northern Pikes, recorded live in Montreal and Toronto in June of 1993. Vibrant and animated, Gig has the Pikes playing 13 of their best tunes unhindered and, for the most part, album true. An entertaining extended version of their big hit, "Teenland" is one of the highlights, especially the improvised Bonanza theme thrown into the guitar solo. Both Jay Semko and Bryan Potvin share lead vocal duties, with Semko the smoother of the two. The band's gusto is best represented on songs like "Girl With a Problem" and "She Ain't Pretty," as their catchy lyrics and rollicking guitar work exemplify their robust sound. "Believe" proves that the band can play maturely and acutely, as does the distant sounding "World's Away." Missing from these two concerts is the fun-loving "Kiss Me You Fool" and the teenage-tinged "Wait for Me," the latter a hit from their sophomore album Secrets of the Alibi. Compiled since their demise, Gig is a pure sounding live album, void of any audience interference or unnecessary unknowns, making it an enjoyable listen from front to back.