In this week's paper, Annie Zaleski extols the virtues of the Toronto-based Rural Alberta Advantage, comparing the three-piece to everyone from Yo La Tengo to The Mountain Goats and Arcade Fire to Neutral Milk Hotel. Heady company indeed. Continues my esteemed colleague from St. Louis:

As might be expected from their band's name, the members of the Rural Alberta Advantage grew up in the Canadian province of Alberta. What the trio cultivated from such a chilly (and at times isolated) existence is an un-selfconscious sound, one that's devoid of artifice or trends. Hometowns, the Toronto band's 2008 debut, is an amalgam of stomping campfire folk, heartworn indie rock and frosty alt-country. Continue reading...

Earlier this year, the band's 2008 full-length debut, Hometowns, was re-released by Saddle Creek Records. And with that move has come an increased profile--including the above music video (the band's first ever, for what it's worth) for "Drain The Blood," which made its premiere on Pitchfork earlier this week.

It all adds up to a band on the rise--which is why we're pleaed that the folks at Spune Productions have passed along two pairs of tickets for us to hand out to some DC9 readers looking to get into tomorrow night's show for free. Want the tickets? Shoot me an email right now with the words "Go Oilers!" in the subject line. First two people to do so each win a pair of tickets. Good luck!

Update: Contest is over. Congrats to our winners.