Local Music Blog: I'm Addicted to the Cowboy Junkies!

Considering I’ve never tired of Margo Timmins' melancholy voice, I'm kind of surprised I let myself lose track of the Cowboy Junkies. Ever since my wife and I saw them at the long gone Poplar Creek music venue, I've been hooked on their slow, sultry, satisfying take on life.

So it's really hard to believe that this Toronto, Ontario quartet has been making albums since 1986 and The Wilderness is their 16th studio effort. And with three siblings in the band (Margot, Michael and Peter), it kind of makes then an alt-country prequel version of the Kings of Leon.

Since they’ve been set free from their major record lable shackles, they’re better than ever!

The Wilderness is the fourth and final volume in their ambitious Nomad Series and it might be the best of the four. With tracks like Unanswered Letter, Damaged From the Start, and We are the Selfish Ones, the Junkies are at their musitically tight, meditative and introspective best.

My favorite song is the album ending, F-bomb, I Hate the Cold. Yes! The Cowby Junkies actually had to put a parental warning label on an album!

Too many years on the rinks of Montreal
Too many years in the lofts of old TO
Too many nights in the bowels of Avenue B
Too many days in the arms of Lady T.
Or maybe I'm just getting old,
'cause, f-bomb, I hate the cold.

Margot! Though this Chicago winter is the exception to the rule, we Genevan’s certainly feel your pain and would use the very same word to describe our similar dismay!

Folks! Ya gotta pick up The Wilderness because I highly recommend it!

Next we have an album that both delights and disappoints, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now,” Justin Townes Earle’s fourth foray.

My disappointment is the album title is longer than the album. While brevity has its benefits, (something I’ve never grasped as a columnist), clocking in at just 30 minutes, it’s way too short.

And it’s not just Earle! Borne of declining album sales and single song downloads, this disturbing half hour trend is further eroding the already fading traditional album concept. Stop it! An album should be at least 40 minutes.

Though I was tempted to drop the dreaded “only if you’re a fan” rating here, any time an artist takes themselves to task with this kind of self-depricating effort, I’ll be the first to applaud. Nothing covers the bad behavior and substance abuse that lead to his 2010 public meltdown.

Not only did Mr. Earle inherit his father’s (Steve Earle) lyrical talent, but he also picked up his rehab history. Thankfully, this ain’t no whiny, semi-apologetic Kanye-esque effort. Earle refuses to complain or make excuses and, even though he promises to be a better man, he’s upfront about the almost inevitable possibility of taking that one step back.

Earle plaintively intones his intentions in the final track, “I’m tryin’ to move on, babe.”

The fitting addition of an organ and horns also make Nothing a bit of a gospel/memphis blues departure which is fitting for an album that revolves around the concept of redemption.

Though I’d really like to give a better rating, the too short issue drags Nothing down to a recommended rating.

Somethimes you need to try something new. Sometimes you have to take the musical road less traveled. Sometimes it’s important to have your music to slap you upside the head a few times.

Desipte those obvious truths, it was only with great trepidation that I picked up a copy of the fifth album from The Used, Vulnerable.

Don’t get me wrong, in the appropriate small doses, I don’t mind listenig to what the kids like to call “srceamo” or “emo” bands. The Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl knows just when to add a harsh vocal accent and Rise Against clearly understands the less is more concept.

But while some folks decry The Used’s apparent age induced mellowing, it always pays to remember that we all have to grow up sometime. The reason that most of those early century screamo/emo bands went the way of the PDA is you could only listen to them for so long before beginning to beg for mercy.

After all, the drive to annoy your parents can only go so far. C’mon! Who could resist punk lyrics like:

I gave you everything, you threw it away.
Put me out like a cigarette, out like a cigarette.
Love like a cancer, still you beg me to stay
Put me out like a cigarette, out like a cigarette.

Aside from that one (Put Me Out) and Now That You’re Dead, Vulnerable is surprisingly upbeat. It’s just another sign of benefits of a more mature perspective. Unless you’re a decent blues artist, life isn’t always out to get you!

So we’ll highly recommend Vulnerable to the younger folks that fully embrace this musical genre and recommend it to anyone who wants to be able to become fully awake without the benefit of coffee.

Wow! It’s hard to believe it’s already time to talk about next week! April 2nd brings us new releases from the Great Lake Swimmers, the Jezabels and the latest in a long line of albums from New Orleans legend Dr. John, produced by Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach.

Until then, I will be doing my best to survive the first week of coaching spring travel soccer practice. Pray for me!