Customer Reviews

Bark (IMPORT)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings was CKUA's number one album of the year for 2003 and it was my number one album too. This roots rock endeavor for Steven Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson has a great full sound for a mere three piece band. But if you are lucky enough to hear them do the same songs unplugged, the music stands up beautifully without all the effects and thunder.

The lyrics are wicked and insightful. "I got a feeling stinging like a new tatoo black across my mind" -- (from Water Or Gasoline by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings). Moods range from rockabilly to ballads to psychadelic rock. BARK is gonna jump up and bite you.

If you only buy one album in the next while, this is the one to get.

Well, here's a puzzle: if it's Canadian, is it still Americana? Far North Americana, maybe? Sub-Arcticana? Anyway, this disc opens with "Swinging From The Chains Of Love," a tasty, upbeat country-billy tune, then it zips into more chunky-sounding roots-rockish territory, with a bouncy, agile slide guitar at the heart of the mix, bringing to mind old stuff by David Lindley and Ry Cooder. Mostly this is pretty darn catchy, although they do slip into some sluggish tropes, as with the forced profundity of "Heaven Knows Your Name," "Willie's Diamond Joe," and a couple of other tunes. If you like these guys, also try checking out solo albums by singer-guitarist Colin Linden.

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings may very well be the most under rated
band in the world. They certainly are the most under rated band in the Americana genre. Even though all three members are stars in their own right in their native Canada, there is most definitely no clash of egos from this group of Canucks. To the contrary, there is an undeniable chemistry and kinship among them that, in my opinion, makes them one of the mot talented trios of all time (I can attest to that having the opportunity

to recently meet them, and see them in concert, great guys).
In addition, their group of backing musicians including, Gary Craig, & Richard Bell, are superb. Their most recent effort,
Bark is a tasty mix of rockabilly, blues, country, & roots rock.
Their previous effort, Kings of Love, is more of the same. If you are fan of The Band, John Hiatt, Whiskeytown (before Ryan's ego exploded), etc., be sure to check these guys out.