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.

[kexodusc]

4 and 1/2 big-grins? Wow, that's more than I ever expected from these guys...I lost interest years ago after Casino when the singer dude left the band...
Not really my cup of tea music wise, but I'll respect any group of musicians that stick together for 17 years playing anywhere from arenas to high school gyms. They're in it for all the right reasons, me thinks.

[rufus]

they're gonna be on Bravo next Tuesday, the 19th, 8:00pm i think, playing the entire album.

unlike Forever Autumn, i've loved all their albums right up til the last one, which left me a little bit disappointed. hoping to pick this one up soon and seeing if it really is a return to form.

[rufus]

woops. appears this program is only on Bravo canada. at least, it's not listed in my program schedule.