The Bad
Under Canadian Skies
(Independent)
4/5
Local rockers The Bad have a real sassy, upbeat, invigorating groove on their new LP Under Canadian Skies, which follows up their 2015 debut, Seasons. The beats and riffs on this LP could jumpstart hearts, as could the energetic vocals in “Moving to the Country.” It’s a perfect combination of whisky, hard work, and blue-collar talent.
And there’s some variety, too: the band picks up grains of modern country that fade away partway through “Booger,” giving way to a really unique form of country-rock I’ve never quite heard before.
The band’s chemistry is what keeps me coming back to this album. The heartfelt harmonics combined with the drums in the ballad-ish track “Where’s My Home?” are beautiful; that song’s complex lyrics are reflective and capture universal Canadian memories, proving that this band is capable of pushing themselves lyrically.
The album is a near-perfect combination of country-rock, folk, and hard-working local spirit that is fresh and unique, yet familiar enough to be pleasantly recognizable.