Radio Soldier

"Sophomore Slump" is a term that could never be applied to Canadian indie pop/rock trio Sweetsalt. After riding the wave generated by their Juno nominated 1999 self-titled release Sweetsalt set out to reshape themselves, and in the process teamed up with award-winning producer Olaf Pyttlik for this monumental record. Leaving behind the self conscious sensitivity of their first album, Sweetsalt honed their hooks and their chops to a razor's edge with the aim of becoming the preeminent indie pop band in Canada. Whether they succeeded or not is debatable, but the album they recorded, "Radio Soldier", represents the pinnacle of Sweetsalt's power, and subsequently proved to be the last album Sweetsalt would ever make. "Radio Soldier" showcases the developing prowess of three young band members (Ben Reynolds, Jared Robinson, and Sam Dufour) as they explore the boundaries of the three-and-a-half-minute pop song. The stage is set with "Sugarplanet", an electronica fused space-rock-opera complete with stratospheric choruses carried on a wall of crashing guitars and angry synthesizers, followed closely by the emotional live favorite "Christine". Never losing their footing through the next ten songs, Sweetsalt deftly guides the listener through hope ("April"), addiction ("Heroin"), infidelity ("If She Would Stay"), and a myriad of other emotions. Delivered more often with a bang than a whimper, Sweetsalt aims to please, and we're pleased they aimed so well. Sweetsalt's "Radio Soldier" was named "Best Pop Album" at the 2003 Canadian Independent Music Awards, was nominated for five 2002 Western Canadian Music Awards (tying heavyweight Nickelback for the most WCMA nods that year), and enjoyed the success of the multi-regional top40 hit "April". "Radio Soldier" also contributed music to WB's "Dawson's Creek" and "Party of Five", as well as numerous independent films and television programs. Sweetsalt played their last concert in 2004 after eight years of performing together.