Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 08/24/2004
With the
surf influences and wobbly
garage-style edges gradually fading from their musical personality,
the Sadies are starting to sound like some unlikely but welcome collaboration between the
Clarence White-era
Byrds and
Moby Grape during one of their periodic twangy moods.
Favourite Colours (gotta love the Canadian way with the language) keeps the group's
country influences in the forefront, but with a cool and atmospheric cast that lends a moody depth to even the most upbeat songs, not unlike the work of their American compatriots
the Volebeats. The interlocked guitars of
Dallas Good and
Travis Good are in stellar form here, with acrobatic fast pickin' facing off against gloriously sustained bent notes, and the brothers and their partners are singing a great deal more this time out, to fine effect (especially on
"Translucent Sparrow," "1000 Cities Falling," and
"A Good Flying Day"). A few guests have also been brought along for this set, among them
Joey Burns of
Calexico (who adds stings to
"The Curdled Journey"),
Robyn Hitchcock (who sings the lyrics he wrote for
"Why Would Anybody Live Here"), and
Dallas and
Travis' parents (who lend vocals and autoharp to
"A Burning Snowman"), though with the exception of
Hitchcock (whose personality is strong enough to outweigh the band) they mesh seamlessly with the band's aural character rather than calling attention to themselves.
Favourite Colours is lovely and adventurous stuff that proves
the Sadies are only getting better with each trip into the studio.
~Mark Deming, All Music Guide
;)
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