Following up their peculiar 2015 set, Blessed, Canadian trio Walter TV return with their third tonal dispatch of unclassifiable rock in the form of the optimistically titled Carpe Diem. Based in Montreal, Walter TV is the musical vessel of singer/guitarist Piece McGarry, bassist Simon Ankenman, and drummer Joe McMurray, the former and latter of whom have a history of collaboration with fellow Canadian oddball Mac DeMarco. With Carpe Diem, the group continues to inch closer to an overall more palatable fidelity, though the lo-fi affectations and grainy recording methods remain one of the key ingredients in their architecture. As with previous releases, McGarrys keening tenor expends the bulk of its presence filtered through a warbling chorus effect, a feature which immediately wore out its welcome on their first album, but at this point just seems like a standard -- if persistent -- preset for the bands approach. Production aesthetics aside, Carpe Diem represents some legitimate growth in terms of material and themes for Walter TV. The dark desperation of lead-off track "Begotten" makes for a striking opening volley and further noir-ish undercurrents can be felt in the murky layers of songs like "Cattle" and "Laura Palmer." It creates a strange juxtaposition the way their ebullient and sometimes manic performances clash with the harsh, digital-sounding framework making for a distinctive push-pull of human and fabricated elements. Three records in, Walter TV remain a somewhat frustrating bunch, flashing their wild creativity and slap-dash antics in equal measure.
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