I’m just trying to stop the bleeding…

The skinny on 604 Records is that it was formed by Chad Kroeger and his attorney, Jonathon Simkin, in 2002. The two of them worked together on developing Default, helping them shape their sound and garnering them international attention. And because of that experience, Kroeger and Simkin began 604 (named for the main British Columbian area code), a label dedicated to discovering and developing (primarily Canadian) rock bands for global exposure.

But enough on that, cos what I really want to talk about is the newest band to launch from the 604 offices: Marianas Trench. Not in a long time have I heard such a solid debut album from any rock band. Fix Me, released October 3rd, is their first full-length album, and they’ve broken out with an incredible disc, with more hooks than you could shake a deepest-part-of-the-ocean at!

Yes, reader, I’m shaking my head in shame…

It’s hard to describe their sound, excepting to say that they represent rock really well, bit with a bit of a flair: each of the four members of the band is a vocalist, and it gives record reminiscent touches of Queen or Beach Boys records’ of days past. The band - made up of Josh Ramsay (lead) and Matt Webb on guitar, Michael Ayley on bass, and Ian Casselman on drums - are proud of their sound, and that they have honed their live show to accurately reflect the originality they all share.

Produced by Dave Genn (lead guitarist of the former Matthew Good Band), Fix Me is an incredible album, and worth the $10 any time. If even a small part of you likes rock, you owe it to yourself to check this band out.

Top 5 tracks: Alibis, Skin & Bones, Say Anything, Low, Decided To Break It.

20% that I would cut (2 songs): Push, Alive Again.

Check out Marianas Trench:
1) Stream songs on their myspace page.
2) Buy Fix Me right away (though it’s cheaper in stores).
3) Visit the official Marianas Trench website. Or the 604 Records one. I don’t care, but go somewhere. Take 5 minutes out of your busy day.