Cowboy Junkies

Now three-quarters of the way through their Nomad Series, the Cowboy Junkies continue to use the project to fully explore aspects of their sound that most of their output up until now often merely touched upon. Sing In My Meadow is arguably the most radical release of the Nomad Series, both from a sonic and songwriting standpoint, although diehard fans won't be surprised by the album's overall grinding, psychedelic vibe. Cowboy Junkies live shows have always included a large dose of this and in fact, this is the kind of sound that guitarist Michael Timmins and bassist Alan Anton were experimenting with in their early '80s group, Hunger Project. Anyone who has therefore been itching to hear Timmins crank out some fuzzy, jagged solos has reason to rejoice, although tracks like "Late Night Radio" and a new arrangement of Pale Sun, Crescent Moon's "Hunted" show that they were conscious not to drift too far from familiar territory. Still, the Junkies are always at their best when letting their freak flag fly and Sing In My Meadow is clear proof. Early indications were that this would be the most challenging release of the Nomad Series, but instead this album sounds like Cowboy Junkies in their natural environment.