The first solo outing of Blue Rodeo member Greg Keelor can be summed up in one word -- sparse. Sparse production (by Kate and Anna McGarrigle's bassist, Pierre Marchand), sparse instrumentation, and sparse singing, as well as a somber mood. Known as the "rocking" half of the creative Keelor and Cuddy team of Blue Rodeo, Keelor dispenses with that image and shows a very different side. It is not a Blue Rodeo album, but something very different, and for that reason, the disc is successful. Assisted on several of ten tracks by Sarah McLachlan, Keelor is able to explore his thoughts and emotions after a relationship has gone seriously wrong. Blame, sadness, anger, and even religion are all touched upon. Where the CD fails is in the lack of variety in the music style. Slow, piano-driven pieces seem to melt into each other with very little distinction, and the songs also run far too long. "No Landing (Lucknow)" would be an incredible song, were it not close to eight minutes long. He also covers the Talking Heads' "Heaven, ", which may have been better suited as a B-side, as he does not do the song justice. Overall, an adventurous debut album.
© Aaron Badgley /TiVo