Okay kids, Blue Rodeo's new studio album, "Small Miracles", their 13th, has been out for a month and let me say that it's very good and is an improvement over their last one, "Are You Ready", but it still isn't a "Five Days In July" or "The Days In Between", but is easily in their top five of all time. Let's pick it apart, shall we?1. So Far Away - This opening track doesn't wow you, but it gets the album going, showing you that the band still has that classic sound we all know and love. Not really a memorable song though.
2. This Town - The starting piano ballad is common sound, yet original and delicate, and Jim's voice beckons out so smoothly. The song builds with a tried and true melody on top of layered instruments, augmented chords, and volume, giving it a nice dynamic. Greg's solo is simple, reminding me of his soul infused solo on "Five Days In May". For some reason, the chorus reminds me of that song, "Our House, is a very very fine house. With two kids in the yard, life wouldn't be so hard ..." Regardless, a beautiful memorable song.
3. Blue House - This is one of those fun, square dance type Blue Rodeo songs that are fun to sing a long to. There's always one of these on every album, yet they're so refreshing.
4. 3 Hours Away - Another classic Jim ballad, but with an upbeat feel added by the drum snare shuffle.
5. It Makes Me Wonder - This song has a southern rock feel with a slight Celtic hint, like Lynyrd Skynyrd meeting Tom Petty in Dublin or something. The chorus doesn't sound repetitive due to every other measure having that minor chord thrown in which darkens the feel of the sound. Greg's voice is earthy, distinct, while the rest of the band, especially the piano, round out the sound nicely.
6. Summer Girls - One of my personal favourites on the album. A pop-rock sound sung by Jim, it has a Beatles/British feel to it as if the sound of the band's song "Somebody Waits" was used as a template. The chorus is just awesome, fun to sing, an once again, an augmented minor is thrown in to keep it interesting. It blows my mind that after all these years and all these songs, the band can pump out an original song like this.
7. Together - This is Blue Rodeo's first bossanova song as far as I know, and they execute it wonderfully. Soft and subtle, yet determined. The jazz guitar chords are absolutely perfect and Greg's delicate voice fills the void while the bossanova drum beat carries it through, like you were on the Riviera waiting for that special someone to walk by.
8. Mystic River - It's these types of Blue Rodeo songs that I really enjoy. Just driving in the car down the highway with a friend, singing along and soaking in the special moments. It's a song that puts a smile on your face. Jim is loving those augmented chords thrown in there, giving it that weird but goofy fun feel.
9. Black Ribbon - A wonderful Canadian-Celtic song; this is true classic Blue Rodeo, with the reverberated guitar reminiscent of parts in "Diamond Mine". Greg's lazy voice rings wonderfully, as though he just had some whisky, and with all his deep passion, goes up on stage and plays a dirge about his darkest feelings. You can hear it in his voice. The chorus opens up the song, then it breaks down, simply setting you up for the darker moments. The song has an oaky-wood feel and thus we can say it was beautifully hand crafted.
10. C'mon - This is definitely the feel-good pop song on the album and probably why it was chosen to be it's first single. Jim's voice is fun, as if he's singing to you, and you feel part of the group... especially with the chorus telling you to "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon down with us." Okay! Sure, don't mind if I do!
11. Small Miracles - The title track is in 3/4 time, like a steady waltz and is in stark contrast to the previous song. A very nice song though.
12. Beautiful - Easily one of Blue Rodeo's "coolest" songs broken into two parts--the first a bit slow, as if it were setting it up for a more modern, Sunday afternoon coffee shop feel with it's funky beat and repeated line, "Almost as beautiful ... almost as beautiful, almost aaas ... almost as beautiful as you..." It's a new sound for the band, one that was surprising that I thoroughly enjoy, but they nail it down showing their vast style repertoire. The bass lines by Baz really round out the song ... I didn't know he could play like that.
13. Where I Was Before - This is a repeat song of "3 Hours Away" but done differently. While the first version was more upbeat, this one is slower. Another interesting concept. It's as if they tried a few ways of playing it, and couldn't decide on which one would be best so they just said, "Let's put both in!" Sure, why the hell not!
Overall, I really like this album and have been listening to it over and over since I bought it. It's the perfect autumn album, with the trees changing colour, several tracks like "Summer Girls" and "Beautiful" reflect this transitional phase which does have an effect on our psyche. The timing of the album's release at the end of summer is timely and appropriate. I'd go so far as to call this a concept album--a soundtrack for autumn, with the band "experimenting" new styles, dynamics, and bringing them together in one seemless band of change fall colours, just like the season itself.
My only critique is that there aren't as many songs I could churn out on the guitar around the campfire with some beer, but rather sit around a piano with a glass of port. The band has obviously matured. At times it's too slow, and lacks the teeth I enjoyed on "The Days In Between", but it's definitely an album I'll add to my driving through the mountains soundtrack. The variety is good enough to keep it interesting.
Hatrock gives "Small Miracles" by Blue Rodeo, 4.29 fists out of 5.
