The Halls Of Wickwire captures the intensity of Halifax two-piece Cousins' live show (they’ve been gamely trekking across North America for the past few years to considerable acclaim), while keeping things interesting with the addition of drummer Leigh Dotey's vocals. There is also a deeper lyrical poignancy to their ever-catchy, steady-thumpin' tunes. This is a garage-rock record with some real tenderness.
"Cousins' third full-length album is an excellent follow-up to 2012's The Palm At The End Of The Mind, equally raucous but also tinted with counterbalancing soul. Written in the aftermath of singer/guitarist Aaron Mangle’s grandmother's death in 2012, the 10 songs have lyrical cohesion in addition to thick, memorable riffs and gripping, VanGaalenesque melodies. The vaguely paranoid 'Body' and surging rocker 'Phone' use direct quotes from Mangle’s conversations with his grandmother while she dealt with dementia near the end of her life. Drummer Leigh Dotey adds distorted vocals to unhinged garage rocker 'What's Your Name,' and a sweeter co-lead turn on bleak murder duet 'Death Man.' Her rhythmic chops, meanwhile, are more pronounced than ever." - NOW