Sound Salvation Army

They say war is hell; I guess I’ve only been to purgatory.

It seems like that’s where we’re all at a lot of the time these days. Working in the Canadian news media the wires are filled with stories every few weeks of the latest Canadian soldier who has died in Afghanistan. It’s surprising how easily they’re boiled down into virtually the same informational blurb every single time:

Another Canadian Soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.

_________________ died after his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in ________ province, _________ of Kandahar.

He/She/They are the ______ Canadian soldier to die since the Afghan mission began.

It’s sad and disgusting and necessary; if you thought too much about it you might not be able to do much else with your day.

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada (for our American friends: it’s like Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day all rolled up into one). It’s a big deal. Ceremonies are held in every city and town to remember our Armed Forces personnel that have given their lives since Canada became a thing.

My grandfather was in the second World War, but there have been Remembrance Days where I haven’t really bothered to actually think about that and what it means. There have been Remembrance Days where I don’t want to.

There’s never been a Remembrance Day that I’ve forgotten.

This day also serves as a reminder of those that get caught in the line of fire while also trying to do their best for their country. So let’s do that.

Patriotism can take a lot of different forms. I’ve always preferred a quiet, “Yeah, we’re not perfect but I’m pretty okay with where we’re at,” kind of attitude towards nationality. I forgot my poppy at home today and didn’t really care. Others did.

There are all kinds of war and all kinds of conflict and all of them are the worst kind of awful. I guess more than anything on Remembrance Day I’m thankful that the never-ending presence of armed conflict isn’t something I have to worry about on a day to day basis. I feel lucky to be able to take how easy my life really is for granted.

So thanks Grandpa Dean. I wish I’d had a chance to get to know you.

 

 Old Man Luedecke - Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier [2:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Okkervil River - The War Criminal Rises and Speaks [5:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 The Details - Uniform [4:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 the Wheat Pool - Peniel, SK [3:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Corb Lund - I Wanna Be In The Cavalry (reprise) [3:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Minstrel Boy (Black Hawk Down version) [5:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pat entries Canada the country, Corb Lund, Joe Strummer, Okkervil River, Old Man Luedecke, Remembrance Day, sacrifices, soldiers, the Details, the Wheat Pool, tributes, war

Is our dear friend Corb Lund looking to sell out?

The packaging of his latest album, Losin’ Lately Gambler, reeks of a mainstream reach-around. From the Kenny Chesney-looking candid photo on the album’s cover to the insert in the digipack hawking ringtones to the blurred-out curse word on the gatefold of the CD, it seems like Lund is looking to get a little more Wal*Mart in his sales statistics.

Oh, but ol’ Corb is too gin-yoo-wine for that, isn’t he? The Hurtin’ Albertan, the even-keeled prairie redneck with a winning sense of humour, he’s still as subversive and dark as he was when he fronted the (legendary) Smalls. Look no further for evidence than lead track, “Horse Doctor, Come Quick,” a track about some poor country folk getting hooked on animal tranquilizers. Yeah, put that on CMT and see how the baby boomers react, marketing department at Lund’s new label.

See, I’m assuming that’s the genesis for the shift in presentation: Lund is now a member of the influential U.S. roots label New West Records, a means to increase his profile south of the border. Understandable, I suppose, even if the physical product that comes out is much more commercially packaged. Ironically, however, Lund has written his most overtly Canadian set of songs yet, his new bosses giving him a blank slate upon which to write.

So its basically more of what those that know and love Corb Lund would be expecting: more country than alt-country, more twang than clang, and clever without being too clever by half. An album with Lund’s tweaked, modern take on country coupled with a half-dozen songs referencing places that most Americans likely don’t even know exist. Enjoy, plainsmen of the United States.

There are a few more tracks on here that lean more towards modern country instrumentation (ie. electric guitars) than rootsy acoustic guitar strumming, but that fits Lund’s M.O. He’s an easy-going country rocker and age is only turning him easier. These songs are overwhelmingly sunny, even the odd track about dark addictions coursing through with a subtle vein of optimism. A majority of the songs are odes to the Canadian prairie and the lifestyle tied to it: rodeo dreams and cold Pilsner wishes. Poker stories, warm chinook winds, tales of the good life in Saskatchewan, saying hello to prairie ex-pats in fancier Canadian cities…it’s aimed squarely at his comrades, compatriots, and countrymen.

There is a distinct lack of the dark, dark edge that has run through some of his previous solo work, most notably his last release, Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!. Gone are the impossibly bleak wartime scenarios of “I Wanna Be In The Calvary: Reprise” and “A Leader On Losing Control” and the tweaked-out PTSD veteran in “Student Visas.” Those were powerfully effective, albeit impossibly dour, story songs. Things are significantly lighter this time around.

But I don’t think you can blame Corb for making some of these tunes a little more accessible to “mainstream” baby boomer types. A lot of the success he’s enjoyed since returning to his roots has come from some of his “cuter” tracks getting minor play on country radio and CMT. It seems like this album strikes a very purposeful balance between his iconoclastic nature and his potential mainstream appeal. Why fight it if you’re able to do what you do on a higher level?

In all sincerity, here’s hoping the marketing campaign pans out; I’d really like to see Corb do well. Any Albertan that loves Saskatchewan is a friend of mine.

 

 Corb Lund - Talkin' Veterinarian Blues [3:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Corb Lund - Devil's Best Dress [2:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Get six big releases, including Losin’ Lately Gambler, from Lund’s on-line store. Do it now, please. iTunes has his solo material and his “Corb Lund Band” releases available as well.

Pat entries Canadian content, Corb Lund, country, hillbillies, roots, selling out