Ian Thomas is one of my favorite Canadian songwriters, ever. He burst onto the Canadian scene in 1973 with the tune, "Painted Ladies", and has remained a fixture ever since, albeit somewhat quietly at times. Thomas's regional hit single, "I'll Do You Right", from his 1984 album Riders on Dark Horses, is my favorite singalong-in-the-car song, and a brilliant love song as well.
Three years after his last album, Levity, was released in 1988, Thomas joined forces with three great Canadian musicians: Bill Dillon (guitar), Peter Cardinali (bass), and Rick Gratton (drums), all of whom he had known for years by that time, to form The Boomers. Between 1991 and 1996 they released three albums: What We Do, The Art of Living, and 25,000 Days. By the third album, Thomas's writing had turned to themes about getting older, musing about past sins, changes a' coming, truth, and the entire span of life: 25,000 days is in fact, just about the average life span of a man, just under 68.5 years. What impressed me consistently about these albums was the songwriting craft of Thomas combined with one of the most solid rhythm sections working today. Cardinali and Gratton are a perfect fit, laying down an impressive foundation for every song, and Bill Dillon's guitar and occasional mandolin work are very tasty.
In 2002, after a six-year hiatus, The Boomers released Midway in the fall of 2002. The title intrigues me: does it reference the end of Part 1 of the Boomers' collective lives (all four are in their 40s, at least, and likely early 50s), or is it the halfway point in the life of the band? In any event, Thomas returns to familiar themes on this album, such as aging, reliving warm memories, the ever-present need to believe in something, and love, but not casual, in-your-20s love, with flaming crotches and palpitating hearts, but love that has lasted for years, strengthening and deepening with the ages. Musically The Boomers offer a selection of songs that I can best describe as laid back, at times a bit too much for my taste, but not at the expense of the musicianship or writing. The Boomers are not a band that's going to "rock your world", or prepare you for the mosh pit (wait, are those still around?). My favorite tune on the album is I Remember, a song that grabbed me from the outset as it opens with an infectious guitar hook and builds from there.
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Article comments
1 - John
I must be the only person in Jacksonville, Fla., U.S.A. that has the CD "The Art of Living". I love the Boomers YYZ, & this CD is special to me as it reflects my love for a special woman in my life. It was the only song that I use to play over and over while my special angel left me to go back to St. Louis. The song(s) "I am a Modern Man", & "Still in This Thing" are really special to me as well. It was 1995, & the only tape in my car was "The Art of Living". It played and played as I drove my 1995 Dodge Neon back and forth from Jacksonville, Fl. to St. Louis, Mo.. The Boomers reminded me how much in love I was with my special angel name Beth. I am still in this thing with Beth also. I like the sound of Ian Thomas. I thought that the band was forever gone after The Art of Living CD. I want to hear "Midway"! I am really excited to know that The Boomers are still out there. Why don't the play in America? I still play them loud in my car today. Thanks, John