With a sound encompassing all things Americana – bluegrass, country, surf and rock, the so dubbed “cosmic cowboys,” from Toronto, The Sadies return with their first studio album in three years, New Seasons, which Yep Roc Records is scheduled to release October 2.
New Seasons opens with “Introduction,” a rollicking hoe-down affair that would make Lester Flatt smile. From there, the band heads out on a free-range of styles, meandering through the 13 tracks that comprise the album. A bit more subdued than previous works, (the highly-fuzzed surf guitar is toned down a touch) New Seasons seems to find the Sadies at their most contemplative to date. Also noticeably reduced on this release is the number of instrumentals. A typical Sadies release contains nearly 50 percent instrumentals; New Seasons contains three - the aforementioned “Introduction,” “Wolf Tones,” and “The Last Inquisition (Part 5).”
Known as a group of talented musicians — brothers Dallas, guitar, keyboards, vocals, and Travis Good, guitar, vocals, fiddle, drummer Mike Belitsky and upright bassist Sean Dean -- certainly don’t disappoint on New Seasons. This is as musically solid a release as any by the band as they effortlessly blend their divergent influences into a sonic-wall that can only be described as “The Sadies” sound.
Lyrically, The Sadies are storytellers with each song a short story unto itself with a fully formed beginning, middle and denouement. This is an album where the lyrics are the cream that rises to the top. Check out “Anna Leigh” and “The Trial” on New Seasons for shining examples.
New Seasons marks an excellent addition to the The Sadies canon. Though it doesn’t equal what is, in my opinion, their best work – 2001’s Tremendous Efforts - it will certainly please fans of the group while serving as a good introduction to those not yet familiar.
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Article comments
1 - JC Mosquito
I caught the Sadies opening for the Hip this summer. As good a band as you'll find crisscrossing the country.
2 - Mary Jain Steed
The Sadie's are in a wrinkle in time, where the universe is THEIR'S! Jump on the nearest star and ride it over to the moon! This is where they're headed, so be there or be square! This is THEIR year, since they've been at it almost 12 years...it's about frickin' time!!!!! New Seasons is yet another step in the growth of this band, and if you love previous works, you LOVE this! The price is right, and I'm 100% positive that you won't be disappointed!