Ranking Blue Rodeo Albums

Okay Boobie, if you're gonna do Floyd (which you're fully qualified for), I must provide my take on another one of Canada's most underrated bands. As I told Jim Cuddy one night, "I think you and Greg are the greatest songwriters -- you're like the Lennon and McCartney of Canada." Jim said, "Oh, thank you very much." A nice guy all around. Here we go...

1. Five Days in July (1993) - I think everybody agrees with this one. This is my deserted island album and the one I MUST listen to whilst driving to Jasper. Why? Because there's a road sign on the way that says "<-- Cynthia 23km" and in Jasper you can visit "Pyramid Lake with you". The greatest song ever is on this album: "Hasn't Hit Me Yet" plus many more wonderfully written, simply produced, and beautifully sung songs like "Bad Timing". Cameos by Sarah Maclaughlin, especially the acapella with Greg on "Know Where You Go/Tell Me Your Dream" are the icing on the cake. Nice to hear some piano on its own in "Dark Angel". This is the kind of album you want to sit in a chair in the shallow water of a lake while watching the sun go down (kind of like the album cover). I can't say enough about this album. It is a must own for anyone. In case you didn't notice, but the drummer never uses drumsticks, just brushes adding to a softer feel. Lots of harmonica which gives it an earthy feel and Greg's softer singing makes the album border on country-celtic music without actually going there. That's exactly what Blue Rodeo is - their own category and this album defines them perfectly.

2. The Days in Between (2000) - Break out the telecaster and the drumsticks! I love the melodies and vocals on this album - "The Seeker", "Andrea", "Always Getting Better", and "Rage" are examples of this. Blue Rodeo are masters at providing a variety of styles of music and this album is no exception. Songs such as "This Road" and "Bitter Fruit" sung by Greg once again are awesome while driving.

3. Palace of Gold (2002) - Break out the horn section! Just an awesome album overall with all sorts of styles - "Cause for Sympathy" and "What A Surprise" are reminiscent of some good old early 1970's AM radio tunes that you'd listen to while driving through Roger's Pass - just some nice reverb hall sound coupled with a mini symphony and staccatto trumpets makes that all happen. "Bulletproof" is one of Cuddy and Keelor's best written songs with a nicely placed augmented seventh chord.

4. Tremolo (1997) - After a couple listens at work, I fell in love with this album. A really gentle album - I can put it on and just sit back, relax, and sing alone. These songs are great for driving to Wainwright - lots of cows and sheep along the way.

5. Casino (1991) - This album shows off Jim's singing really well - especially on "After The Rain". "Trust Yourself" is the best song and has one of the best intros of a song ever. Lots of fun harmonica on this album.

6. Nowhere To Here (1995) - The album starts of slowly with two dark and long Greg songs, but after travelling through this deep forest of lament, you reach a meadow of song reaping with humble regret, frustration, yet hope - "What You Want", "Better Off As We Are", "Blew it Again", and "Get Through To You" indicate deep feelings in Jim and Greg. A very passionate album.

7. Lost Together (1992) - Another fun album similar to Casino. Best listened to with good friends and many beers - "Already Gone", "Lost Together", "Rain Down On Me", "Restless", "Where Are You Now", "Willin' Fool" are excellent examples of this.

8. Outskirts (1986) - "Rose Coloured Glasses" and "Try" are still two excellent songs that will stand the test of time. Other songs hold up pretty well, but "Try" is what made Blue Rodeo in the first place.

9. Diamond Mine (1989) - The title track is actually one of my favourite Blue Rodeo songs, with a Doors-type feel it's got tonnes of passion. "You say that you don't love me ... you talk about the other boys and you laugh in my face." Ouch! The rest of the album isn't really Blue Rodeo to me - more like Malcolm Burn the producer, and seems to ride coat tales of the title track.