Hamilton, ON-based poet of the people B.A. Johnston is back with his new LP Shit Sucks, and you can hear it first on Exclaim.ca.
Simplistic synth-pop and aggressive acoustic folk serve as the vehicles for Johnston's astute and hilarious lyrical observations, and he's certainly not shy about exposing the shittier, suckier sides to life on the new record.
He tackles a range of tough topics, from lamenting the state of today's youth fashion ("I Remember Skinny Jeans the Last Time Around") to real everyday struggles ("When Is Trash Day?," "I Don't Want to Go to the No Frills") to questionable — or, more accurately, excellent — dietary decisions ("Pizza Party for One," "IKEA Hotdog").
Showing off a slightly sweeter side, he also throws in a couple of love songs for good measure ("I Want to Love You but I Am Way Too Stupid," "You Can Love Someone and Hate What They Love").
His genius lies in making the listener laugh, but when the giggles die down, there's a good chance you'll realize that there's a little B.A. Johnston in all of us — he's just the only one willing to embrace universal flaws by putting them into songs like "Couch Potato Alright" and "Drinking on My Mom's Dime."
Shit might suck, but this album doesn't. It officially arrives on February 24 via Mammoth Cave Recording Co., but until then, you can commiserate with B.A. and give Shit Sucks an advanced listen below.
As previously reported, Johnston has a massive Canadian tour booked in support of the new record, and you can see all those dates below. You can also pre-order the album here.
Tour dates:
02/27 North Bay, ON - Raven and Republic
02/28 Sudbury, ON - Townehouse Tavern
03/06 London, ON - The Black Shire Pub
03/07 Peterborough, ON - Pig's Ear Tavern
03/13 Guelph, ON - Jimmy Jazz
03/14 Oshawa, ON - Mustache Club
03/20 Toronto, ON - Johnny Jackson
03/21 Hamilton, ON - This Ain't Hollywood
03/26 Kingston, ON - The Mansion
03/27 Ottawa, ON - House of Targ
03/28 Montreal, QC - Grumpy's
04/02 Thunder Bay, ON - Crocks
04/03 Winnipeg, MB - The Handsome Daughter
04/04 Regina, SK - German Club
04/08 Kelowna, BC - Fernando's Pub
04/09 Nanaimo, BC - The Cambie
04/10 Victoria, BC - Logan's Pub
04/11 Vancouver, BC - The Astoria Pub
04/12 Abbotsford, BC - Aftermath
04/14 Whistler, BC - Moe Joe's
04/16 Prince George, BC - Westwood Pub
04/17 Hinton, AB - The Woodcutter Lounge
04/18 Edmoton, AB - Wunderbar
04/19 Banff, AB - Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon
04/22 Medicine Hat, AB - Mario's Restaurant & Pub
04/23 Lethbridge, AB - Owl Acoustic Lounge
04/24 Calgary, AB - The Palomino Smokehouse Showroom
04/25 Saskatoon, SK - Amigos
Simplistic synth-pop and aggressive acoustic folk serve as the vehicles for Johnston's astute and hilarious lyrical observations, and he's certainly not shy about exposing the shittier, suckier sides to life on the new record.
He tackles a range of tough topics, from lamenting the state of today's youth fashion ("I Remember Skinny Jeans the Last Time Around") to real everyday struggles ("When Is Trash Day?," "I Don't Want to Go to the No Frills") to questionable — or, more accurately, excellent — dietary decisions ("Pizza Party for One," "IKEA Hotdog").
Showing off a slightly sweeter side, he also throws in a couple of love songs for good measure ("I Want to Love You but I Am Way Too Stupid," "You Can Love Someone and Hate What They Love").
His genius lies in making the listener laugh, but when the giggles die down, there's a good chance you'll realize that there's a little B.A. Johnston in all of us — he's just the only one willing to embrace universal flaws by putting them into songs like "Couch Potato Alright" and "Drinking on My Mom's Dime."
Shit might suck, but this album doesn't. It officially arrives on February 24 via Mammoth Cave Recording Co., but until then, you can commiserate with B.A. and give Shit Sucks an advanced listen below.
As previously reported, Johnston has a massive Canadian tour booked in support of the new record, and you can see all those dates below. You can also pre-order the album here.
Tour dates:
02/27 North Bay, ON - Raven and Republic
02/28 Sudbury, ON - Townehouse Tavern
03/06 London, ON - The Black Shire Pub
03/07 Peterborough, ON - Pig's Ear Tavern
03/13 Guelph, ON - Jimmy Jazz
03/14 Oshawa, ON - Mustache Club
03/20 Toronto, ON - Johnny Jackson
03/21 Hamilton, ON - This Ain't Hollywood
03/26 Kingston, ON - The Mansion
03/27 Ottawa, ON - House of Targ
03/28 Montreal, QC - Grumpy's
04/02 Thunder Bay, ON - Crocks
04/03 Winnipeg, MB - The Handsome Daughter
04/04 Regina, SK - German Club
04/08 Kelowna, BC - Fernando's Pub
04/09 Nanaimo, BC - The Cambie
04/10 Victoria, BC - Logan's Pub
04/11 Vancouver, BC - The Astoria Pub
04/12 Abbotsford, BC - Aftermath
04/14 Whistler, BC - Moe Joe's
04/16 Prince George, BC - Westwood Pub
04/17 Hinton, AB - The Woodcutter Lounge
04/18 Edmoton, AB - Wunderbar
04/19 Banff, AB - Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon
04/22 Medicine Hat, AB - Mario's Restaurant & Pub
04/23 Lethbridge, AB - Owl Acoustic Lounge
04/24 Calgary, AB - The Palomino Smokehouse Showroom
04/25 Saskatoon, SK - Amigos