The Sadies
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | INDIE | AFM
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For their seventh studio album, one of Canada’s most beloved bands decamped to Spain to record with producer and former Jayhawks front-man Gary Louris. Judging by the results, the time away from home did the Sadies no harm. New Seasons opens with the instrumental “Introduction,” an all-too-brief showcase of the band’s virtuosic musicianship, before rolling into the Dylan-esque “The First Inquisition Pt. IV.” Elsewhere, brothers Dallas and Travis Good lead their band-mates through concise exercises in cosmic country (“Yours To Discover,” the amazing “What’s Left Behind”) and psych garage (the philosophical “A Simple Aspiration”). Album highlights include “Anna Leigh,” a typically dark allegory of touring as a disaster waiting to happen, and the cinematic “My Heart Of Wood.” Indeed, this track and album closer “The First Inquisition, Pt. V” conjure images of the kind of surreal, dark dreamscapes usually associated with the films of David Lynch. Simply put, this is a wonderful record and an excellent addition to the Sadies’ burgeoning catalogue of Canadian classics.
- Exclaim Magazine
Discography
Darker Circles (May 18, 2010)
Country Club (2009) John Doe and The Sadies
New Seasons (2007)
Tales of the Rat Fink, Original Soundtrack (2006)
In Concert, Volume One (2006)
Favourite Colours (2003)
Stories Often Told (2002)
Tremendous Efforts (2001)
Pure Diamond Gold (1999)
Precious Moments (1998)
Photos
Bio
Toronto’s cosmic cowboys The Sadies have been not so quietly building a reputation since their debut release in 1998. Managing to juggle a heavy tour schedule while releasing critically acclaimed albums The Sadies make believers out of everyone lucky enough to experience one of their mind-blowing live shows. 2010 will see The Sadies as busy as ever with tours across North America and Europe with their own new release Darker Circles, out on May 18th as well as collaborations with Gord Downie (The Tragically Hip) and the legendary Andre Williams.
Darker Circles is the follow-up to their acclaimed last album New Seasons and sees guitarist brothers Dallas and Travis Good, drummer Mike Belitsky and bassist Sean Dean again pair with legendary Jayhawk and sought-after producer Gary Louris. Furthering the focused songwriting and recording aspirations reached on New Seasons, The Sadies bring their signature blend of country, psychedelic, rock and surf into rifle scope focus on Darker Circles, further underscoring their reputations as musicians' musicians. The album was recorded in one marathon twelve day session at the 'Bathhouse' studio and five more at Toronto's Woodshed.
Always at the top of the list when discussing musical chops and live intensity, The Sadies are now more intent than ever on making their mark as songwriters. It's an intent that comes naturally says Travis Good, "It's not conscious. Nothing is planned when it comes to The Sadies. We're just better players and we did more homework this time."
The fuzz-drenched garage-psych cut 'Another Year' leads off the album and lyrically stands as the conceptual archetype for the whole album dealing with desolation, love and abandonment. One can't help but notice an air of soul-searching on Darker Circles, as Mike Stax says in his liner notes, "There's a haunting, spiritual quality to songs like 'Cut Corners,' 'Tell Her What I Said,' 'Whispering Circles' and 'The Quiet One;' ghosts of regret and lost love reverberate softly between the vocals and guitars or 'drift like whispers that echo in your mind.'"
In one turn as heavy as a sledge, and in another flitting across melodies with the ease of so many sparrows, The Sadies prove once again that denying them now is simply prolonging your conversion. So go on, pull up that screeching wooden chair that bows with your weight. Slide it up next to the turntable and drop the needle, The Sadies are a sure thing...tomorrow isn't.
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