July 10, 2018
Cowboy Junkies have been putting out records since 1986. In that thirty-two years the band has released 17 studio albums. This includes their new album All That Reckoning, out July 13th.
If you are familiar with the band, you know that they have forged their own path. They’ve put out a platinum record with 1988’s The Trinity Sessions, been included in high budget motion pictures, been on Saturday Night Live and you know what? They’ve done it all while continuing to make the music that they love. There are not a ton of bands that can honestly say that.
Truth is, they could’ve probably conformed a little bit to modern standards of music and sold a few more records. But I get the sense that the labor of making the album is just as important as the music and that is not a compromise the band seems willing to make. Within that labor lies personal lyrical content, well thought out musical direction and ear pleasing production. This all equates to what is maybe the deepest and fullest album the band has ever released.
The album includes the song, All That Reckoning, which is broken down into two versions. Pt.1 & Pt.2. These are essentially the same song but musically they are approached very differently. The first version is carried by Alan Anton’s bass guitar and lead vocalist Margo Timmins warm and extremely soothing voice. In contrast, on the second version, you have the same ingredients added with a terrific fuzzy guitar. That guitar has the cool sound of a pixel pedal and some great tremolo or repeater/echo guitar effects from Michael Timmins. Bring in Peter Timmins on the drums, which are carried by the steady ride cymbal and you have an unbelievable groove.
My absolute highlight of the album is the second song, When We Arrive. This is the song I came looking for when I heard they had a new record. Michael brings a warm guitar tone that is addictive. I could almost just listen to an instrumental version of this song. The band is really doing something special here. As much as I love the musical acumen, Margo’s voice is so inviting during the verses. Then, there’s the chorus. Her double tracked vocal is a bit over-driven and it completely explodes off of the song. The production is outstanding.
This album is filled with many political themes. Or maybe it’s just filled with many of the things that are going on in today’s world. Of Sing Me A Song, Michael had this to say:
“Sing me a song about life in your neighbourhood. Sing me a song of Love”
“In the confusing swirl of the times it seemed that I needed a song that declared something positive, something that shouted out the words Love, Joy, Forgiveness. And then I wrote the B sections of the song and all that Love, Joy and Forgiveness seemed to to get swept away…. must be my age, must be the times.”
Whichever is the correct way to put it, this album touches on these issues in a very listenable way. If you are looking for a thinking person’s album, this album is for you. If you are looking for a way to unwind from a long day, with music that will sound great coming out of your stereo speakers, this album is for you.
Stereo speakers and politics. Must be my age, must be the times.
You can pre-order All That Reckoning here:
Full Tracklist:
1. All That Reckoning (Part 1)
2. When We Arrive
3. The Things We Do To Each Other
4. Wooden Stairs
5. Sing Me A Song
6. Mountain Stream
7. Missing Children
8. Shining Teeth
9. Nose Before Ear
10. All That Reckoning (Part 2)
11. The Possessed
For more information on Cowboy Junkies visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | TWITTER
-Tommy Marz
Follow Tommy & SoundVapors on Twitter.