CD Review
Artist: Penn Poutanen and Lorrie Matheson
Album: Rebels United
Label: Saved By Vinyl
Release Date: February 26, 2008 

Reviewed By: Isabel Lau (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)  

Their album title Rebels United precisely encapsulates the Calgarian musicians Penn Poutanen and Lorrie Matheson. If unusual and radical is what these guys were aiming for, they certainly achieved it with the release of this record. Seven-year old Poutanen sings about Transformers and sharks atop the electro and rock/pop instrumentation created by Matheson. This is perfect, I suppose, if one is looking for new age music to introduce to their children. Although Poutanen's enthusiasm comes through in his vocals and his rather husky voice is surely endearing during the song "Sharky", Rebels United is not something one would have on heavy rotation everyday.

Granted, Matheson's instrumentals are tight and will have one's ears peaked for the first thirty seconds of the track "Autobots". The guitar on "Sharky" and "Sometimes" is fluid and catchy which is a skill probably carried forward from Matheson's extensive solo recordings that include: Dime at a Time (2004), You Should Know by Now (2002), Welcome to Utopia (2000) and Blind Luck Ain't No Luck at All (1998). Regrettably, whether intentional or not, the vocals are far too playful for the average listener and lack the needed range of notes that should accompany such enjoyable instrumentation. This of course, may be the ultimate point of Poutanen and Matheson for creating their unconventional musical invention.

Don't get me wrong now; I appreciate a little experimentation with music if it is done right. The Parisian electro group Justice for example has included a children's choir in their hit "D.A.N.C.E" and J. Dilla has made a funky hip hop track called "Wild" with a child singing the chorus. However, while these two singles are catchy and cute and potential food for your ipod, Rebels United is far more abstract, carries a limited shelf life and is thus an acquired taste for those that really desire music that surpasses any predictable category.

"Autobots" - 2:21

"Sharky" - 1:32

"Sometimes" - 2:11

"The Rebels" - 2:22