The Ghost is Dancing - The Darkest Spark

Let's play a game. Name the band most associated with this collection of words: Canada; layered orchestral textures of guitar, violin, organ and other instruments; church-appropriate chants; marching rhythms; utilization of every square inch of a stage. If you guessed Arcade Fire, and you know you did, come on down. On The Ghost Is Dancing's excellent debut full-length The Darkest Spark, it's Funeral that comes to mind, only less cerebral but more upbeat, and with a touch of some of Pavement's lighter moments. Whereas Funeral was a breakthrough because it was so original and starkly emotional, Spark simply follows the formula, but sounds like a band that's an album away from being the answer to someone else's trivia question. [www.theghostisdancing.com]