The debut release from Soul Filter is a powerful one. After finding inspiration through playing cover bands throughout the years, the husband and wife duo of Mike and Karen Penton have found a comfortable groove within the alternative pop-rock scene with A Minor Conspiracy.
Hailing from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, the band cites Canadian female rock icons like Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow as inspiration for their sound. It shows. There’s a decidedly nostalgic feel to lead singer Karen Penton’s voice. Even upon a first listen, it sounds like returning home to an old favourite.
Penton’s range reaches highs and lows alike, each level bringing intricate depths. Vivid lyrics only help to enhance the richness of the vocals. The stories told across the album all contain clear images, and in that context, even well-known metaphors seem to take on entirely new life.
The opening track, “After All”, is a slow and lazy introduction of what’s to come in the following ten tracks. The heavy guitar that kicks in part-way through, however, gives a sneaky hint that Soul Filter is about to kick our asses.
But first, we’re blessed with a bit of a softer side. The first half of the album is home to ballads of empowerment, uplifting love songs, and mourning lost love. This includes “Like Water” and “Armor”, the two singles Soul Filter pre-released off of this album. The guitar is softer in these songs, and the vocals are carefully scaled back to contain the delicate emotions.
Halfway through the album a definite shift occurs. There’s something perfectly unpolished about Penton’s vocals, and when paired with gritty instrumentals it can knock anyone off balance in the best of ways. “On My Own” is an example of this, a bitter anthem of betrayal. It’s bookended by two other powerhouse songs, ‘No Reply’ and ‘Lightning Strikes.’
Despite being a debut album, Soul Filter have definitely showcased their years of experience with these tracks. The result is an effortless classic that can easily find a spot in anyone’s library, nestled comfortably between the rock icons from which they draw their inspiration.