Blue Rodeo - Are You Ready

[ForeverAutumn]

Okay, I haven't even finished my first spin of this CD yet and I just have to post about it! Not since Casino (1990) have I loved a Blue Rodeo disk so much on first listen (okay first 2/3 listen, but I'm confident that the rest won't disappoint!). If they made a conscious effort to get back to their early alt country roots, they've succeeded. This CD is very much in the same vein as their earlier works, Outskirts; Diamond Mine; Casino.

The songs are full of jangly, twangy guitar. Lots of harmonica. And even the odd moment of crazy keyboards reminiscent of Bob Wiseman.

I obviously need to finish my listen and give it a few more before I can go into any kind of detailed review. But, after being disappointed in the last few albums, I'm excited to finally have another Blue Rodeo CD that I can love.

Although I haven't come across any real gems like Try or Bulletproof yet, I am being blown away by one great song after another. I'm not a fan of Greg Keelor's voice and even the tunes sung by him are lovable. In fact, Phaedra's Meadow even won a hit on the repeat button.

Fans of early Blue Rodeo...this is the CD you've been waiting for.


(they lose half a smiley because the production could be better)

Edit: I finished spin one and I was right...I wasn't disappointed. This is a great CD through and through. I'm starting spin two now.