Arkells: Jackson Square [DINE ALONE]

Why you'll love it

This is where Arkells began: the debut that won them the 2010 JUNO for New Group of the Year. It holds four singles, "Oh, The Boss Is Coming!", "The Ballad Of Hugo Chavez", "Pullin' Punches" and "John Lennon".

This edition

• Arkells' debut album on vinyl
• Full 12-song album on a single LP
• Produced by Jon Drew and the band at Metalworks Studios

About the album

Jackson Square came out on October 28, 2008, the first full-length from five friends who met at McMaster University and named themselves after Arkell Street in Hamilton's Westdale. They cut it at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga with producer Jon Drew, and the songs carry the swing of a bar band that knows its Motown as well as its Springsteen.

Max Kerman writes about bosses, small-town politics and young love with a wink and a fist in the air. "Oh, The Boss Is Coming!" is a shout-along about the daily grind; "The Ballad Of Hugo Chavez" and "John Lennon" became early radio favourites.

The record set the band on its way: a year later Arkells won the JUNO for New Group of the Year, the first of many trips to that podium; they have since been named Group of the Year six times.

Also at Kops: Jackson Square (red & black marble vinyl, Dine Alone exclusive) · The Dirty Nil: Master Volume · the Dine Alone x Kops takeover · more alternative

Tracklist

On Dine Alone Records, first out in 2008.