It’s nice to have another long weekend before we start the year-end blitz. New Music Friday offers these new releases. Try not to fight about any of them around the Thanksgiving dinner table, okay?
Singles
1. Econoline Crush, New Gold Magic (Restless)
Trevor Hurst has been leading Econoline Crush for three decades now, not counting the various hiatuses, which included Trevor’s work as a psychiatric nurse working with Indigenous communities in Manitoba. This single heralds a Canadian tour that runs until the end of November. More new music is coming soon.
2. Rheostatics, The Inland Sea (Six Shooter)
Speaking of bands that have been around for a long time, The Rheostatics history extends back–wait for it–45 years. A new album, The Great Lakes Suite, arrives on November 21, Martin Tielli isn’t with the band for this one, so someone named Alex Lifeson was called in off the bench. Multi-instrumentalist Hugh Marsh and the Barenaked Ladies’ Kevin Hearn are also part of the project. The only way to make this album more Canadian is for it to come with a free beaver and have it delivered via Canada goose.
3. Sleep Token, Caramel (Sleep Token/RCA Records)
Who is Sleep Token? Well, they’re English. We only now the names of two members (Vessel and II). And they all wear masks. Chances are that if you’re into Ghost, you’ve already jumped aboard this ship, too. They engage in a lot of myth-making and world-building, which is a lot of fun. This is the latest single from their fourth album, Even in Arcadia.
4. Strumbellas, Hard Lines (Sonic Unyon/Glassnote)
It’s been a minute since we last heard from The Strumbellas. After the release of their 2024 album, Part Time Believer, they rolled around the country in their van (six members plus a drum kit) and the result is an EP entitled Burning Bridges into Dust. It’ll be here October 24th. A North American tour begins on November 13 in Waterloo.
Albums
1. The Antlers, Blight (Transgressive)
The Antlers are a good band for a chilly fall evening, especially if you’re feeling down. Not that they’ll pick you up, but instead playing their music is like being able to commiserate with a dear friend about how bad things are. Have a listen to this single about “convenient violence” and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Don’t worry. It’s okay to cry. Just let it out. You’ll feel better.
2. Richard Ashcroft, Lovin’ You (Virgin)
I’m still bitter that North America didn’t get to see Ashcroft open for Oasis in North America. And now we hear that he’ll be opening for dates in Asia? That doesn’t seem fair. I mean, Cage the Elephant was fine, but this is the guy who used to front The Verve, one of my all-time favourite British bands of the 90s. And if the intro to title track sounds familiar, it’s an interpolation of “Classical Gas,” the 1968 instrumental hit by Mason Williams. He’s still with us–he’s 87–so he’ll appreciate the cash.
3. The Besnard Lakes, The Besnard Lakes are the Ghost Nation (Full Time Hobby)
Back to Canada. Besnard Lakes (est. Montreal 2003) have had two of their six albums nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. Their seventh, out today and their first in over four years, don’t seem to be as gloomy as they were. Well, maybe a little bit. The title is an oblique nod to the death of nations and the stupid concept of Canada becoming the 51st state. Elbows up, boys.
4. Dropkick Murphys, For the People (Dummy Luck Music)
When it comes to rock bands standing up to the Orange-a-Tan in the White House, the Dropkick Murphys are leading the charge. Their 13th album marks the return of vocalist Al Barr. It’s just one song, but fans will appreciate his presence (he’s been looking after his ill mother; he’s a good son). Billy Bragg, also one of the great rabble-rousers, is a guest on the record. And the accordion lives!
5. Great Lake Swimmers, Caught Light (Pheromone Recordings)
Two references to the Great Lakes in the same New Music Friday report? Yep. The indie-folk band’s ninth album originated from a cabin somewhere in the Ganaraska Forest between Peterborough and Port Hope, Ontario. Founder Tony Dekker made anyone who wanted to contribute listen to John Martyn’s 1971 album, Bless the Weather, before they were allowed admittance. You don’t have to do that before you listen to this record, but it wouldn’t hurt.
6. Yellowcard, Better Days (Better Noise Music)
Let’s finish with a little alt-pop-punk from Northern Florida. Yellowcard has broken up twice since forming in 1997, but so far, this 2022 reunion seems to be sticking. This is the first album of new material since 2016 and the first since getting back together. This single did very well for them over the summer.
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