The critically adored Canadian rockers have released a music video for the song “Handsome Men”, a track from 2009′s …At The Moment of Our Most Needing, that depicts politicians, both American and Canadian, singing along to the haunting track. Yeah, they even got Obama. But while the audio-visual combination creates an alarming portrait of current politics, bandleader Chris Eaton has a clear message (and Faulkner references!):

“…the job of politicians has gone from serving their countries to just trying to win elections, and from leading by example to belittling the opposition so much that they are elected by being the lesser evil…

Many of the lyrics in song emerge from the story of William Faulkner’s Light in August, and you can hear that in the parts about the young woman who is convinced by a young man that he loves her, and when she becomes pregnant, he skips town. But all story is metaphor, and I like to have multiple meanings in my songs, so there’s also a strong comment for me about the music industry, and how as soon as people start finding out who you are, all of these slick business guys start calling and telling you what you should do, and also how most of today’s politicians will just tell you what the polls have told them you want to hear, and then you’re ultimately let down. It makes me kind of sick to my stomach. And basically, I think we can do better as humans.”

Whether you are with him or against him, it’s hard to deny how cool the video (and song!) is. Created by Josh Lyon of Akaflk and Lenny Epstein of Epstein Creative, it is unlikely we will see this on cable TV, but look for it to circulate around blue-state dorm rooms and offices soon.

While Chris Eaton and co. have recently finished up a tour with The Weakerthans in support of At the Moment of our Most Needing…, they’ve also managed to squeeze in some recording time to put an awesome track to tape. The tune, an awesome cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Want You”, is further proof of the band’s understanding of lush, folk-tinged textures. Eaton and RPC have created a slow swooning, lush, momentum building take on the lighter, more upbeat Blonde on Blonde original. Smooth strings and subtle banjo accompany Eaton’s raspy pipes, brightening up with light piano, before Eaton gets a little more passionate, even teasing the Beatles’ “I Want You” in the process.

Check the song out:

“I Want You” (Bob Dylan cover)

Eaton has revealed that he’s working on a new novel as of now, and in an effort to retain some creative sanity, he doesn’t plan on recording anytime soon. He does, however, have some ideas in that respect, but with a baby on the way and a novel in the works, he kind of needs to take a break from recording and touring for a while. Nevertheless, we hope to hear more from Rock Plaza Central in the future.