However you look at it, John Candy isn't a good name for a band. You could argue that he appeared in some classic comedies in the 80s, but then, he made many rather poor films in the latter half of the decade, and apart from a few notable exceptions, had little success in the 90s, when his career really took a dive. As much as being famous for his roles, Candy was known for being fat. My point is, then, that of all of the Hollywood names out there that might be a cool reference for a band, a faded comedy actor who was so obese that he died of a heart attack at the age of 43 isn't necessarily the best choice.
Another problem with taking the name for your band from someone famous - dead or otherwise - is that it's hard to get yourself seen on the Internet. Being seen on the Internet is pretty much vital for any band nowadays, especially one that doesn't (yet) exist as a live touring entity.
Still, John Candy - Buckinghamshire based duo Ant West and George Lindsey - may struggle to get themselves noticed for other reasons, too, because 'Conversations' is a rather bland US indie tinged effort that does little to make any real impression. It's pleasant enough, melodic enough and... well, that's about it really. Lyricist / vocalist West cites Jack Kerouac as his primary inspiration. I have to confess to finding Kerouac rather dull, but the tunes on this album fail to hold the attention long enough for the lyrics to be an issue. So, the song 'This Chair' is every bit as unexciting as the title suggests.
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There are occasions when the subtlety and nuanced playing and production do produce some genuinely evocative atmosphere, notably on 'People Sink,' while the brief burst of guitars toward the end of 'She Knits Away' - an otherwise rather humdrum reminiscence - suggests there are further dimensions to the John Candy sound. Such moments are few and far between, however, and however skilled West and Lyndsey are as musicians, and even, in West's case, as composers, 'Conversations' is an album that's all too easy to hold conversations over rather than about.
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