Originally a bedroom project for guitarist John Crossingham in the late 1990s, Canada's Raising The Fawn morphed into a full band to match his growing ambitions. Associations with Toronto's Broken Social Scene have brought the trio increased exposure, but their lack of a distinctive pop edge has seen them garner a fraction of the attention of that collective's other offshoots. Their third full-length album, "The Maginot Line" is a more subdued, darker piece of work than its predecessor, its 11 tracks building slowly into elaborate, atmospheric pieces. The stunning, drawn-out "Until It Starts Again" takes time to rise, then quickly falls into silence as the group begins singing a capella before the sounds of hand claps, wood-chopping and mud clomping come in, creating a gorgeous, chilling moment. Patient listeners will relish the restrained beauty offered by "Maginot," one of the best albums out of Canada's flourishing music scene this year.
