On the Wavelength
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 11/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Colin Linden has been tearing up my speakers since "Twister" on Raised by Wolves. I had not tuned into Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, but am so glad I'm on the wavelength now. They do a journeyman's job covering Fred Eaglesmith's "49 Tons." "Water On Gasoline" flames to a pounding rhythm, "All my sins and my salvation lead back to your trap door." "Remedy" has Colin on lead vocals to an infectious beat, "You got the cure, you hold the key, you got the remedy." Liner notes relate it was recorded by The Band on their Jericho CD. The guys rock loquaciously on Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison," transfusing it with a Jimmy Reed-style blues rhythm and Led Zeppelin electricity. "If I Catch You Crying" feels slower, even though the thick instrumentation is busy as it pops & bounces. "Lean On Your Peers" grabs you with its lyric as the music pulses on a stellar track, "Did you hear about Hank? Booze rotted out his liver. Gray and depressed, he gave his wife the finger. What about his kids? What about his ex-wife?" "Swinging from the Chains of Love" is a great set that makes you wonder what gems lurk on the CDs from which these tracks were pulled. Enjoy!"
Best of Canada
J. Martin | Denver | 10/23/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Why these guys are not well known is beyond me. Every album of theirs is great.
This compilation is a perfect introduction to them. Great music, great writing,
great harmonies etc etc. They often remind me of The Band. They should be
huge in the US. Buy this and spread the word. You will not be sorry."