Big Wreck's New Album Is Out Tomorrow. This Is Why You Should Be Excited.

By now, you may be aware that Big Wreck are returning from an 11 year hiatus that saw mainman Ian Thornley try his hand at hitting the Nickelback demographic (to varying degrees of success/failure) with Albatross, the first platter which the Big Wreck name has adorned since 2001's bloated and ultimately forgettable The Pleasure and the Greed. Of course, they're best known for their 1997 debut In Loving Memory Of... and, more specifically, its breakout hits That Song and The Oaf (My Luck is Wasted). That first album is not only one of the best to come out of a (part) Canadian band in the 90's, it also holds up remarkably well fifteen years after its original release.

Of course, the cynics will say it's not really Big Wreck anymore since only two of the original members remain. To them, I simply argue that those two original members are the two most important players in Thornley and co-guitarist Brian Doherty. So, your point is pretty much moot.

You might have heard the title track and lead single Albatross, and might even like it. For me, it's been a grower, pleasant enough but lacking the immediacy of their best tracks. However, with a couple of more recent vids posted up on their YouTube page, Big Wreck have gotten me frothing at the mouth. Exhibit A is the full performance of Control, a laid back groover with some top notch, dare I say Knopflerian fretwork. To not watch it all the way through is to deprive yourself some tasty guitar.

If Albatross and Control don't turn your crank, check out the album trailer for snippets of all of the album's tracks. Sounds like we have ourselves a crunchy, rocking affair on our hands.

Albatross is out tomorrow via Anthem/Warner Music Canada.

Comments

Year in Rock 2025

Alright, I've got some explaining to do. By now anyone who's visited this blog is well aware of how infrequently I've used this space in recent years; aside from the occasional fertile year of content, I really haven't posted all that often over the last five years or so. There are many reasons for this, which have already been outlined in previous apology posts; but, essentially, it boils down to my own laziness and the cold reality that blogs are, like Refused (again), fucking dead. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for a triumphant return to reviews, or even semi-regular posts, but: a) I feel like Year in Rock posts have always belonged here and, even though I've experimented with different methods of presentation recently and been satisfied, the "blink and you missed it" unveiling via Facebook stories this year was perhaps ultimately a disservice to the records I lauded. After all, cramming the list into short videos isn't too far off from ju...

Year in Rock 2014: And the Winners Are...

It's been a long year, and another great one for rock n' roll. While the pop charts were overrun with barely legals obsessed with their asses, rock soldiered on undeterred even as pundits (hell, in some cases even rockers themselves) mourned the genre. Sure, rock didn't dominate the money game in 2014, but that shouldn't evoke sad nostalgia and eulogies. Even for as little perceived impact rock music made, a hell of a lot happened if people had only paid attention. From grizzled vets adding jewels to their crown (Springsteen, Petty) to new beginnings (Against Me!, Antemasque) to happy returns (Faith No More, The Tea Party) and all points in between, rock continued to thrive, evolve and thrill in 2014. Enough talk. It's winning time. Your Year in Rock winners for 2014 are...

Year in Rock 2023: Album of the Year #10-1

Now we're getting somewhere; the top ten, where there are no duds or mids, only bangers. Also, no more teasing it out; let's wrap this up! What I've learned this year from my ten faves this year is that it is indeed still possible for a dude approaching his fifties to more or less stay up to date on the new school. Of course, there are some listed here that got a boost from playing tribute to the old school, but there is an undercurrent happening in rock that points to the future. But, I'm getting ahead of myself; here come the champs. 10 MILITARIE GUN Life Under the Gun June 23, 2023 • Loma Vista Highlights Very High Will Logic Never Fucked Up Once Rising from the ranks of the still-potent L.A. hardcore scene, the debut record from Militarie Gun (following a trio of EPs) bears a dash of polish that's expected with backing from a larger label; the tension and energy remain, though, resulting in one of the catchiest hardcore albums I can think of in recent years. 9 ...

SOUND BITES

Search This Blog