Performance poetry is the new kid on the poetry block, a kid with attitude. Fun, entertaining even, spoken word poets are winning new converts at a time when literary poets face diminished audiences. Spoken word poems are alive when performed but on the page, in comparison, they pale. Fortunately, the Mother Press Media, "an unconventional press for unconventional artists,"; includes a CD which reveals Koyczan's sly humour and great vocal timing. Listen to the CD first, then re-imagine Koyczan's cadences as you read the poems. Mother Press Media plans to produce more artists who "breach the boundaries of genre."; Perhaps this new publisher might consider a reversal: put out CDs of complete performances and attach a small sample of print. Either way, I look forward to more. 0-9738131-0-5

--review by Hannah Main-Van Der Kamp

[BCBW 2006]