I have to begin with yet another admission which makes me think that I should start calling my reviews 'true confessions'; but that's  another story. In any case, I must confess to a certain bias when reviewing bands from Hamilton Ontario.  I feel a swell of pride in my Hammertown guys and gals that may color my perception. I'm confident however that when it comes to The Marble Index, my hometown pride is well placed.

Their second release Watch Your Candles, Watch Your Knives is a slick recording showcasing a more mature band with the experience of a successful first launch and allot of touring under their belts.

The tracks on this CD are very danceable and alternative-radio friendly  songs that still manage to retain a slight garage band feel.  I guess you could say the Marble Index's sound has moved into a three car heated garage with a kick ass sound system, a lounge space and a mini bar fully stocked for an endless block party.  It's guitar driven dance music minus the techno pop.

One of the best tunes in my humble opinion is "All That I Know".  This is the second track on the CD, though it really should have been the first.  It has a great hook that gets your head bopping to the beat from the first pluck of the guitar.

Track 5 "Let Me Be The One" is another tune that finds me hitting the replay button. This catchy song has the slightest hint of reggae and demonstrates vocalist Brad Germain's knack for delivering lyrics like "If I can't be yours tonight, let me be the one that could hold you for the rest of your life" in a style that sticks to my brain and gets me singing the harmonies in a fantasy duet. (Then again maybe I just always wanted to be a cool back up singer complete with tambourine and cow bell - "more cow bell!")

I've seen track 8 "I Don't Want To Try To Change Your Life" performed live at a local gig, so I know for a fact this song gets the crowd jumping on the dance floor and sets the girls screaming.  The Marble Index, I can honestly tell you, put on a fabulous live show.