Against The Dying

Massey Hall presents is an odd series, as it often takes place in other venues. And a Tuesday night show at Lula Lounge for the new album from Montréal-based Kandle was an odd choice. Whether slow-burn blues-tinged numbers or straight-up power-rock songs, her music doesn't seem to fit this West-End location where guests usually sit at tables eating dinner while listening to jazz or world music.

Luckily tonight they had cleared out the middle section so people could fill up that space up to the stage. Kandle had brought a full band tonight including a synth/organist and a guest tenor sax. The sound system wasn't quite beefy enough to handle a rock show, but it still conveyed the power in numbers like Bender and When My Body Breaks. She was a charismatic performer, commanding the attention of the audience. It was in part because, yes, Osbourne is quite physically attractive, but mostly due to the emotional quality of her voice that ranged from vulnerable quiver to full-throated roar. She should be much bigger than she is and it will be interesting to see if she can break out in the next year.