B.A. Johnston

B.A Johnston's ninth album (and second on Mammoth Cave) finds the Hamilton, ON native spouting his signature self-deprecating humour via references to familiar Canadian problems, such as how to spend his 60-something-dollar GST cheque to not wanting to live in Windsor, ON, where "the sun don't shine." True to form, each track oozes character, with Johnston bringing his infamous stage presence into his studio recordings. Sans fancy instruments (just guitar and a bit of synth), Johnston focuses on lyrical content, and rightfully so, as the man can write one hell of a hook. Johnston's 17 new tracks play like a road trip across Canada, kicking off with "As I Am in Tim Hortons, I Realize I Hate Tim Hortons." Even Toronto can't escape Johnston's path of destruction; his newest album cover features Johnston riding a tiger as the city burns. Paul Linklater's (Colleen and Paul, Bidiniband) talents can be heard throughout, but what makes Johnston's music even more endearing are his flubs. In "Bad Cat-Sitter," Johnston messes up the song and then accompanies it with a hearty laugh. His affinity for penning a rip-roaring ode to just about any topic makes Mission Accomplished a must-hear.