Small Talk - ​Internet Killed the Video Star

Small Talk

​Internet Killed the Video Star
self-released; 2016

3.8 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Small Talk is a band that was born in late 2015 between Justin Courcelles (guitarist, singer, songwriter) and Kelog Labrosse (drummer). They managed to release a full-length LP entitled Internet Killed the Video Star and for those of you who are in your late ’20s I’m sure you will remember the popular video the album title was based off of. 

​The music is so varied it is almost impossible to really say what these guys play. Maybe experimental. The thing is that each song sounds distinctly different and I didn’t find too much that tied the songs together. 

After a quick intro entitled “Bonjour, Hi” which is an a cappella, barbershop quartet type song. the transition into “The Publics” is so sudden I thought there was a glitch. The song has smooth jazzy instrumentation over a smooth rap style. The style he goes for sounded so familiar to my ears but I couldn't peg down who he sounded like. At one point the song rocks out. I liked the music especially the horns. Up next is “Chabanel Blues” which was a highlight.

No rapping this time around. The groove is great and I would have liked to hear a whole album in this style. It’s loose, fun and reminded me of Beck about twenty years ago.“Broil feat. Foojaak” melds hip-hop with jazz. This has a number of great grooves. The percussion, bass and horns kill it. “How Much Gold Does a Man Need to Rust?” is unlike anything that came before. It’s a piano led song with traditional singing. The guys get a little reflective and nostalgic on this track but not much. 

I’m not even going to try to explain “Long Chairs Waltzing with the Waves.” I’d just say listen to this track. It’s a seven-plus-minute song that goes in many different directions. “Another Montreal Social Meltdown” sounds like the title while “The Privates” is a down tempo and dark closer.

My only minor issue with this album is that I wish the songs felt a little more connected than they did. The common thread seemed a little thin. All things considered this album is still bursting with quality songs and the two guys behind it almost have a surplus of musical talent. Internet Killed the Video Star is a great start and I am interested to see where these two go next.

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