Search - Blue Rodeo :: Outskirts

Why Aren't These Guys More Popular??

Chris | Goshen, IN United States | 03/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to Blue Rodeo in the spring of 1988. They played a gig during my school's (Lake Forest College in Illinois) spring wing-ding weekend (you know the type). While most of spoiled preps ignored them, they blasted out a series of smart, honest, hook-filled songs that left me transfixed. After they ended their set with a mind-bending, feedback-filled 10-minute freakout jam, my roommate and I approached them to let them know that some people appreciate good music. They were great -- Greg and Jim chatted with us and their road manager gave us a cassette of the first album, "Outskirts." I thought it was tremendous then and I still do today. Imagine if -- back in the spring of 1966 -- John Lennon and Paul McCartney had hooked up with Bob Dylan and the Band. That's basically the sound and feel of Blue Rodeo on "Outskirts", and its successors, "Diamond Mine" and "Casino". After that, they started to grow more in the so-called "alt-country" direction, which isn't really my bag, I'm afraid. But their first three albums are classic rock music."

Music with a soul, body and rythm

PFISTER HANS-MARTIN | Geneva, Switzerland | 02/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Would I have to select 10 of out of my 500 CD treasures and then quit to nowhere out-there, I'd go for 5 Blue Rodeos, 3 Steve Earls and 2 Todd Thiebauds. Non-purists should keep away from Outskirts because they do not deserve such great stuff. From inner kicks (Try, Piranha Pool) to the velvet bite of Outskirts and the many bluesy rollers make this CD probably the most quite of all the Blue Rodeos but also one of the most genuine. Go also for the latest CD "The days in between" from 2000 - its great too! The problem is to get it. Sad to say that these guys are literally unknown in Europe. But then, we are always one step behind. Just for fun, I already booked 2 flight tickets to London from Geneva when I realised that these guys play in London/... U.S.A. - Damn! Have good fun!"

Canadian, eh!

G. Sawaged | Canada | 12/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blue Rodeo is one of the greatest rock bands to come out of Canada. And 15 years later, they are still going strong, as well as Greg and Jim having some solo outings along the way. This is a terrific debut that hinted at the greatness to come. Every song here is good, no filler. The gorgeous ballad 'Try' is one of the nicest ballads I have heard, and is also popular on country stations as well as rock. Hence the 'Rodeo' in the bands name. Jim said in an interview that it's to highlight the little bit of country that they put into their albums. The other hit was 'Rose-Coloured Glasses'. Greg and Jim take turns throughout the album on lead vocals, which gives their albums variety, as each have a different style of singing. If you don't know this group yet, what are you waiting for?"