In another indication of how Canada freely combines cultural goodies of both Old World and New, Kevin Parent's 2009 record utilizes classic American styles, starting with blues, but imbues them with the trademark melancholy of Euro-rock. The bluesy slant is most visible on the more dynamic tracks, such as "Cachemire," which doesn't draw on Led Zeppelin, as the name seems to imply, but instead offers a nice Francophone take on Dire Straits and Chris Rea -- delicate grooves, unobtrusive '80s guitar effects and all. But the music actually borders on country, and the influence is more prominent on other, more relaxed tracks -- though the songs also sport a blues harp, a flute, some brass, and a string section, all of them undemanding and entirely appropriate for the musical setting they're placed in. Some of the stuff sounds similar to what Neil Young did on the official soundtrack to Dead Man, and all in all, there's plenty of folky strumming on the album -- in fact, most of the record has a quiet, laid-back vibe that can be found in folk, blues, and country balladry, but most of all in European rock, at least in its most melodic and introspective moments. Certain songs may bring to mind Philipp Poisel, and "Provocateur" is a dead ringer for the undeservedly forgotten Danes Superjeg, who were remarkably good at crafting pensive, gentle melodies out of Ikea-simple acoustic textures. Parent doesn't manage to keep it interesting from start to finish, as the record fizzles out a couple of songs too early -- the sparse closers offer little but basic chords and slow vocals -- but for the most part, the album, though no sensation by any stretch of imagination, is a delicious treat for fans of quiet guitar rock with a melancholic streak.