Customer Reviews

Five Days in July

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Five Days In July" apparently took its name from the length of time it took to record -- which considering the quality of this album is bound to make a lot of other bands tear their hair. It sounds a little more country than earlier efforts, but also contains a lot of moments that are beautiful in their uncategorizability.

This album also has the distinction of containing not one but TWO love-gone-right songs by Jim Cuddy, the cheerful man who so often writes about having your heart ripped out. Mind you, "Five Days In May" is so introspective-sounding and its chord progressions are so close to being eerie that I heard it more than once before I realized it had a happy ending. "Head Over Heels," on the other hand, is a purely joyful tune about reunion with the one you love. These two songs also contain two of my favourite Blue Rodeo lyrics: from "Five Days," the almost throwaway "oh, she loved the lines around his mouth" (which to me sounds like growing to love someone more as you grow older together); from "Head Over Heels" the assertion "I'm as steady as rain/ Nothing ever changes in my heart." (I'm a transplanted Maritimer so the simile works for me!)

Greg Keelor's stuff on this record is dominated by the moody, introspective material like "Know Where You Go/ Tell Me Your Dream" and benefits from Sarah McLachlan's vocal contributions. The erstwhile "rocker" of the band is clearly not someone you can pigeonhole. He also comes up with the ultimate song about being dumped and realizing it's not so bad: "Hasn't Hit Me Yet," which contains an image every Canadian can relate to: "I stand transfixed beside this streetlight/ Watching the snow fall on this cold December night." By the time Greg starts singing (and Jim joins in) about how out in the middle of Lake Ontario the same snow is falling on the deep silent water, the listener is far more entranced with the "great dark wonder" than sad about whatever relationship just ended. And you know, there is nothing wrong with moving on.

Other highlights include "Bad Timing," about one of those situations in which a relationship might have happened if circumstances had allowed -- but they didn't; "Cynthia," which sounds like someone toying with the idea of running away on an adventure; and "English Bay," a romantic-yearning song by Keelor.

By the time this album ends, you feel a little like you've gone through a summer day from morning until evening. Not a bad feeling at all.

Blue Rodeo, out of Canada where they are rightfully GODS, continues to fly under the US radar...what a shame, especially when one stacks Blue Rodeo against lesser talents. "5 Days In July" is the gemstone of this richly talented group. Combining elements of The Eagles, The Byrds, Poco, The Flying Burrito Brothers,twinges of psychedellic memories, 60's style chord work *which comes off VERY nice* and at times, vocal harmonies which bring a sweet hint of The Everly Brothers, this group, which can rock with the best or slow it down to a nice mellow, has a sound of their own. At once, the lyrics are memorable and catchy. The vocalists, Cuddy and Keelor, each bring their own qualities which never grow old with Cuddy having impressive range while Keelor brings at times, a nice raspiness with a clever edge. "Bad Timing", one of the great tunes off this gem, would soar on the country charts if given a chance. With the exception of "Til I Gain Control Again" *brilliantly covered earlier by Crsytal Gayle and later by Willie Nelson*, all the tunes are penned by Cuddy and Keelor, as are their efforts on other Blue Rodeo albums. I had the great pleasure to see/hear this remarkable group at The Ramshead Tavern in Annapolis, Maryland. They DID NOT disappoint. If you're looking for GREAT music outside the usual stuff played endlessly on formatted radio, this is a MUST! I would also suggest their DVD, "Burning Snowmen", which chronicles them over time. If you can, find a way to one of their concerts...

and another disk that's on my "CDs To Take With Me On a Desert Island" list. My favorite original songs on it are Bad Timing, an absolutely heartbreaking ballad about regret and the end of a relationship, and the uptempo Head Over Heels, a fun, sexy, all out terrific song. The band also does a great cover of the song Til I Gain Control Again.

There's a nice mix of ballads and uptempo rock/alt country numbers, and the guys are great musicians. I actually think that this CD has a nicer mix/balance of tempos than Casino, the other Blue Rodeo disk I own. There are some terrific guitar bits on this disk (and on Casino). Jim Cuddy's voice is in fine form, and I found I liked Greg Keelor's vocals more than I did on Casino. What's even better is that with the exception of Til I Can Gain Control Again, Cuddy and Keelor write all Blue Rodeo's songs.

If you like rock/alt country, -- or maybe even if you don't, and you just appreciate great songs, this album is a must! I know that I've fallen in love with this band, and now I'm going to try to get the rest of their CDs.

Five Days in July is truly a masterpiece, an album that is beautiful at every level, sometimes hauntingly so as with Greg Keelor's Dark Angel which features Sarah McLachaln on piano and backup vocals. Jim Cuddy is also at his best on this album with amazing songs like English Bay and 'Til I Gain Control Again. No CD in my collection of over 600 has stood the test of time like this one, in my opinion this is the best album ever recorded by anyone, I know, a bold statement but after listening to Five Days many hundreds of times for more than 10 years I can honestly say that no other album has even come close. Blue Rodeo features two lead singers, Jim Cuddy and Greg Keeler, each with every different styles and sounds and there always seems to be just a bit of tension between them that causes them to push each other to be the best they can be. It is truly unfortunate that this band has not received the recognition it deserves in the United States. Buy this album, you will not be disappointed; and if you ever have the opportunity to see Blue Rodeo live, don't miss it. As good as they are recorded, they are even better live.

I don't know where to begin with this review. This is the greatest album I own... with every listen I enjoy it more. Depending on my mood, my favourite song changes, but there is not one song I would take off the album. "Five Days" is a beautiful love song with a strangely fitting guitar solo. "Bad Timing"... we've all been there. Enuff said. And Sarah McLachlan adds so much to the album you'll wish she was a permanent member of the band. "Dark Angel" is deeply haunting. "Know where you go/Tell me your Dream" is the best eleventh (/twelfth?) song on any album ever. Jim and Greg's voices complement each other as beautifully as ever. If you are looking for an amazing roots rock/country rock/just darn good music disc, trust me... this is the best money you'll ever spend.

This is one of my favorite CD's of all time. This is a much beloved band in Canada and it has always mystified me how they have not been more successful in the U.S. If you like Wilco, The Jayhawks, Whiskeytown or even the Wallflowers, please listen to this. Blue Rodeo is superior to any of those bands.

To some degree, I like all 7 Blue Rodeo CD's but this is their pinnacle. They have two lead singers/songwriters who have individually achieved great moments on various CD's but this is the one where they are both in top form. Keelor performs a classic Hasn't Hit Me Yet as well as some more introspective gems such as Dark Angel. Cuddy performs two songs that are among his best ever in Five Days in May and the magnificent Bad Timing. In addition, they do a wonderful version of Rodney Crowell's Til' I Can Gain Control. This album is truly a joy.

This review is probably 3-4 years late but I will do it anyway because this a CD that should be heard widely. This interesting and talented Canadian group has somehow fallen through the cracks between niches in the music industry. Thanks to KMTT "The Mountain", in Seattle, I discovered and purchased the CD. No other station that I knew of gave it any play, as it seemed only to fit KMTT's so-called "eclectic" format. It certainly isn't alternative, or hard rock, or classic rock, or adult contemporary. So what is it? It is something like bluesy-country-rock. Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor write excellent, cliche'free lyrics, in a simple poetic style. They certainly pay tribute to Neil Young, especially in the guitar solo in the last half of "Five Days in May". It sounds like the eclectic master himself, grunging away on "Blackie", his trademark electric guitar. It is more than just that, however. Some fine ballads are also here! ! , heart-tugging and melodious; reminiscent of Don McLean and Don Henley. In fact, on "Till I Can Gain Control Again", written by Rodney Crowell, I am reminded of the sweet sadness of Poco, on Gram Parsons' "Brass Buttons", and J.J. Cale's "Magnolia", from their Crazy Eyes album. If Garth Brooks recorded Keelor and Cuddy's "Bad Timing" he could look forward to adding to his Grammy collection. It brings to mind the poignant tone Brooks achieved with "The Dance", at once sad and optimistic, revealing a man bloodied yet unbowed by a past relationship. It is the type of song everyone who has ever had a failed relationship (which is to say everyone!) can relate to. I must hasten to add, however, that not every failed relationship inspires these guys to write a sad song. There is the comically chagrined tone of "Photograph", about a would-be damsel in distress who fleeces both money and clothes after a night of solace ! ! in a rented room. From this mood, one is plunged--quite ha! ppily--into the mystically introspective and often somber "What Is This Love", featuring Sarah McLachlan on supporting vocals and beautiful cello work by Anne Bourne. McLachlan also appears as vocalist and pianist on "Dark Angel", and Tell Me Your Dream", both of which have a lovely yet haunting feel. I must add that I can claim no authority in offering this review. I am neither journalist nor critic by either training or profession. Rather, I am a lover of a wide range of music, who has obviously fallen unabashedly in love with this CD. I have introduced it to 7-8 other people and they shared this response: None had heard of it, and all liked it immediately, and liked it more the more they heard it. I could imagine Jakob Dylan loving it if he heard it; likewise Bonnie Raitt or Jackson Browne or Don Henley or Tom Petty or Bob Seger, to name only a few more than I should. Please listen to these guys and you will love them as much as I, a few hun! ! dred other Americans, and maybe a few thousand Canadians do.

I bought this album blind, never having heard the band, based on a review in some obscure magazine. I NEVER do something like that. It must have been divine inspiration, because this is a rare, divinely inspired album. Every song is great, many are better than great. I can not praise it highly enough. Read my other reviews and you'll see that I just don't give out 5 stars. This is special.

I have followed BR throughout their career, first seeing them by chance at Toronto's Ontario Place outdoor venue in the 80's. This CD captures a wonderous essence of this band and songwriting team... wow!

Although I also enjoy their more rockin stuff, I think this CD is their best, most consistent, and well-rounded... (though I still have a soft spot for their magical first CD... although now somewhat dated...except for "Try").

Cheers

Ok, so I am picky and a so very tired of liking a song on the radio, buying the cd, and having the rest be garbage and sound absolutely nothing like the hit song - do you know what I mean?? This however is a real keeper. There is no reason this band and their songs should not be all over the charts. They are so very very good! Every song well done, instrumentally, vocally, lyrically... Buy it, you will love it!