Coyote is a five-piece from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and PEI, of course, is Canada’s smallest province. Despite the fact that the band comes from a tiny place, Coyote’s sound is large and cavernous, often belying the fact that there are five people in the group. The press materials describe the outfit as “LCD Soundsystem meets Echo and the Bunnymen”, but, if you listen to their Proof of Life EP, you’ll know that those two reference points don’t really meet at the same time. So, yes, opening cut “Your House” sounds like James Murphy, while “Melody Harmony” is a lot like Ian McCulloch’s band during their classic period. It’s a bit strange, in a sense, that Coyote draws inspiration from Echo, as there was a Canadian band in the ‘80s called Chalk Circle that was basically Canada’s version of that group. (If you can find 1987’s Mending Wall, do hunt it down as it is a stellar record.) In any event, the Proof of Life EP is an intriguing concoction, even though it doesn’t rise above its obvious influences. And vocalist Josh Carter is a dead ringer for Bono, strangely enough.
“Your House” is interesting in that it has a “All My Friends”-style banging piano riff, complete with squiggly keyboards that you would ordinarily find on a Cars LP. It rises triumphantly, showcasing Coyote’s grasp of the anthemic. “Old News” boasts a very ‘80s teen movie feel to it, and has a fluid groove that may get you tapping your foot to the beat. “Future Love” offers a pulsating keyboard riff that transmutes into a funky rock ditty. Final song “Toothache” is a slow and cold ballad, with stabby keyboards providing a counterpoint for a gently plucked acoustic guitar. Overall, the Proof of Life EP is strong stuff, and manages to sound somewhat original without breaking free of the groups that have inspired Coyote’s signature style. It’s also great to hear music out of Charlottetown, as only a few Canadian bands — Two Hours Traffic (RIP) and Boxer the Horse come to mind — have really made inroads out of the local scene. If you’re seeking something that references the past while keeping a foot in the present, Coyote is a band that you should explore.