Oooh this is a weird one. On This Is An Ad For Cigarettes Winning manage to successfully combine elements of (1) jagged angular punk in the vein of Smell scene groups like, say, Wives, with (2) tons of free jazz skronk – no doubt the the result of too many years in Vancouver, with it's wildly alive free improv scene and (3) enjoyable soaring melodies that could fit as easily in an emo band's repertoire and finally (4) abstract, poetic lyrics that seem informed by Fugazi's brand of wordsmithing. If that wasn't enough how about (5) insane tempo accelerations that would make Black Flag swoon.
Who are Winning, you ask? A Vancouver group, 'tis already been revealed. And since Vancouver is maybe becoming a city known for it's supergroups – New Pornographers, Swan Lake, Black Mountain, and the list goes on – it's worth noting that Winning too is something of a supergroup. How loathesome a term, supergroup! I'm sure if the band members read this they'll puke up a little in their mouths. I digress.... the band features Andy Dixon of Secret Mommy, The Red Light Sting and Tights and also the Ache Records head honcho, and Jack Duckworth of Radio Berlin, Primes, A Luna Red and also known for his graphic design under the name The Wax Museum. Rounding out the group is Paul Patko who is no doubt super in his own way but I don't have his credentials at hand... No matter, his drumming kicks just as much ass as his colleagues dual guitars and vocals.
I don't know if people still buy albums in stores, but let's assume they do: This Is An Ad For Cigarettes is one of those records you pick up just cause the cover looks so fucking awesome. If you're addicted to skronk rest assure you'll get a double fix here and then some. And if you're not entirely ready to give up on melody just yet, you might still love the hell out of this record – the majestic melodies somehow manage to turn even the most dissonant passages over which they freely fly into a thoroughly listenable listen. Brilliant record, hope it wasn't a one off. Why the bejezus hasn't this band toured the fuck of of North America with AIDS Wolf already?
