There have been a lot of good things coming out of Canada lately. While my personal choice for best thing to come out of Canada recently is easily Eric Gagne, Jade Tree Records has definitely found something else deserving of attention from north of the border. While none of the members of Despistado may be able to pitch a 95-98 mph fastball, the band proves with The Emergency Response that they are certainly capable of matching that velocity and energy with their music.

The EP's six tracks cruise smoothly on their twenty minute course without a hint of the monotonous. The guitar lines of Dagan Harding and Leif Thorseth intertwine effortlessly hinting at the unity created by years of friendship. Basslines melodically drive the songs forward with the assistance of steady drumming that features clean fills and well placed tom-tom accents. The EP seems to achieve a consecutive string of climaxes as Despistado manages to subtlely open up space in the arrangements before quickly filling it back up with even more sound. While some groups rely solely on aggressiveness to drive their music, Despistado utilizes a much more diverse arsenal that includes melody, cohesiveness, and an excellent control of negative space.