Monthly Archives: November 2013

Album Review:  Blue Rodeo: In Our Nature

Country. Rock. Call it what you want, but to me it’s just Blue Rodeo. They have their own signature range of sounds that is unmistakable and comforting. I’ve listened to the new record several times since its release last week, but yesterday in the car I was able to give it a good focused listen. My car is my listening studio and it’s my favourite place to ingest new music. I can turn it up loud and hear things that I normally can’t at home with much greater clarity; subtleties like the quiet greatness of Bazil’s and Glenn’s playing. I always look forward to hearing them and they are the solid backbone of all Blue Rodeo albums. There is also Colin Cripps on guitar and Mike Boguski on keys now. Bob Egan is on pedal steel and mandolin. One of my many favourite singers, Wayne Petti, also makes a guest appearance.  Blue Rodeo seems to be more of a community now than a band, which is what makes the group all that much more interesting. This particular record was made a little differently than usual as they recorded it at Greg’s farmhouse instead of a regular recording studio. The result seems to be a more relaxed sound, which is not surprising. There are the usual radio-friendly singles such as “New Morning Sun”, “Never Too Late” and playful songs like “Mattawa”.  Some of my favourite songs on the album? “In The Darkness” is easily my favourite. It has Glenn anchoring the song with a great Johnny Cash “chick-a-boom” beat, and I also tend to gravitate more towards Greg’s gritty and emotional vocals. I can’t stop listening to this song. “You Should Know” is another standout. “Out of  the Blue” rounds out my favourites and it showcases Greg’s ability to sing with his heart on his sleeve and with no holding back. It is where he is at his best. This is a very solid effort from a legendary outfit who seem to have no plans to slow down or call it quits anytime soon.

My rating: 7.5/10