IN REVIEW: Big Wreck - "Grace Street"

Big Wreck has spent the five-plus years since their return seemingly on a mission to subvert expectations at every turn; their previous record, 2014's Ghosts, was a stylistically far-reaching and fearless, drawing influences from five decades worth of rock. It's a little hard to imagine them following such disparate styles even further, but that's exactly what happens on Grace Street. There's a slick sheen to much of this album, with synth and vocal effects popping up here and there, adding more colour to what was already an impressively diverse portfolio.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are muscular turns at classic rock staples like Zeppelin and The Stones, and even some complex, rhythmic moments that recall Rush's first decade. When the pieces fit, it's borderline magical; see the groovy, exploratory tones of Tomorrow Down, the busy and frenetic A Speedy Recovery and (especially) the penultimate, seven minute instrumental workout Skybunk Marché. Throughout, there's enough variety to avoid fatigue, which is further served by the absence of a multi-track lull; compared to the relatively top-heavy Ghosts, Grace Street has its gems spread out much more effectively.

Like most Big Wreck albums, this one does run a bit long at 68 minutes, and it's a bit of a slog to get through in one sitting; that said, Grace Street, perhaps more than any other Big Wreck album, offers substantial rewards for those with the time and patience to take it all in.

February 3, 2017 • Warner Music Canada
Highlights Tomorrow Down • Digging In • Skybunk Marché