Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Album Review: The Sadies - Colder Streams

The Sadies
Colder Streams
***and1/2 out of *****

With the untimely passing of vocalist/guitarist Dallas Good after the recording of The Sadies newest release Colder Streams, the long running Canadian alt/folk/garage/retro-rock act is in a state of flux. However, none of that unknown is present on the excellent final release to feature Good. 

The rest of the band, Mike Belitsky: drums, Sean Dean: bass, Travis Good: vocals, guitars, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, along with some guests, deliver catchy 60's inspired garage rock in exciting fashion, pulling expertly from the Paisley Underground sound. Opener "Stop and Start" sets that retro ringing tone with great duel guitar work before the swirling "Message to Belial" gets tripped out with just enough heavy edge to keep it from floating away. 

The band sprinkles in acoustic strings on top of the electric guitars, creating an earthy/fuzzy juxtaposition for "More Alone".  While the bands influence are clearly Nuggets era garage acts, they also have a lot in common with more modern groups like The Greenhornes, who also love to look back to the past for their sound. The drums of Belitsky power "So Far for So Few" while guest Jon Spencer joins on fuzz guitar for "No One's Listening" which pumps with rock power. 

The group also comfortably dips into folk outings such as the strolling "All the Good" which takes up a sea shanty/Billy Bragg like vibe while the brief "You Should Be Worried" goes soft musically but contains ominous lyrics and "Cut Up High and Dry" melds the folk-rock with mandolins and big stomps. 

While the closing "End Credits" is oddly out of place with over the top pomp and circumstance, the band nails it on the garage punk of "Better Yet" which slams via upbeat energy. The group also channels The Byrds on uppers with the excellent "Ginger Moon" galloping at a soaring speed, taking flight in all the best ways. 

While the future of The Sadies may not be known, the band has done it's founding member proud on Colder Streams, one of the best albums of their long career. 
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