The Sadies

For their seventh studio album, one of Canada’s most beloved bands decamped to Spain to record with producer and former Jayhawks front-man Gary Louris. Judging by the results, the time away from home did the Sadies no harm. New Seasons opens with the instrumental "Introduction,” an all-too-brief showcase of the band’s virtuosic musicianship, before rolling into the Dylan-esque "The First Inquisition Pt. IV.” Elsewhere, brothers Dallas and Travis Good lead their band-mates through concise exercises in cosmic country ("Yours To Discover,” the amazing "What’s Left Behind”) and psych garage (the philosophical "A Simple Aspiration”). Album highlights include "Anna Leigh,” a typically dark allegory of touring as a disaster waiting to happen, and the cinematic "My Heart Of Wood.” Indeed, this track and album closer "The First Inquisition, Pt. V” conjure images of the kind of surreal, dark dreamscapes usually associated with the films of David Lynch. Simply put, this is a wonderful record and an excellent addition to the Sadies’ burgeoning catalogue of Canadian classics.