"There's a bear in the bar . . . with legitimate authority, Mike Petkau is a genuine songwriter with a powerful sound.

Mike Petkau's sophomore release Don't Say A Word is an apt collection of prairie rock songs. His low voice carries the tunes well, with structured and melodic rock songs. Lyrically, the songs are about functioning in a community of people, figuring out what to say and how to say it. There are lots of layers to the songs: they are textured with low, crunchy keyboards and even Rentals-style moog... other songs like Dinosaur remind me of early Rheostatics."
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"Mike Petkau has earned quite a reputation as one of the strongest songwriters in Winnipeg. His latest, Don't Say A Word, only serves to bolster that reputation. In a scene so rich in talent, what sets Petkau apart is his delivery of the material. He doesn't beat you over the head with an overly heavy message, nor serve up sugary empty calories...he has a unique timbre to his voice, its soft yet not too soft, reassurring yet not pleading, emotive yet not melodramatic."
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"Local singer-songwriter and prolific producer Mike Petkau returns with another semi-confessional indie-rock platter, this time focusing his lyrics at more discernible targets, like an unattainable object of affection in C'mon or a well-known Toronto rock band in B People. Petkau is earnest, but also self-effacing, and that makes him easy to digest."
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"The follow-up to 2002's Parapet, Don't Say A Word see's Mike Petkau growing as a musician and producer. Petkau is a singer/songwriter first and foremost, but his talents behind the boards mean these songs are coloured as much by loops and subtle effects as by the singer's big voice. Songs such as I Claim These Streets and B People show depth and character, and Lipstick Vinegar introduces the delicate vocals of Meagan Peasgood as a moving counterpoint. A Korg MS2000 and Farfisa organ are featured on C'mon, an uptempo tune that allows Petkau to showcase what is developing into a signature vocal style. Don't Say A Word is a great album that remains true to singer/songwriter traditions without sounding like any number of 'dude-with-guitar' projects. Pick it up."
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