Oh, Canada!
Hailing from Geneva and now back and forth between Toronto and the beautiful city of Montreal, Greg Laraigne weaves well-crafted stories into a tapestry of lore and social commentary. The album apparently was ten years in the making while he also perfected his trade as a well-respected man in the field of tattooing. Easy comparisons are made to Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Johnny Cash, Kristofferson or any other dust-laden highwayman with a hip flask, five o'clock shadow and brim pulled over his upward glancing eyes projecting shadows on his pallid sunken cheekbones. Weathered guitar, worn pickguard, dinged and dented tells a story of a journeyman singing for his meals and spirits. The devil might be scratching at the door, inviting you in through the ring of fire but the dance is not over until the sole of the well-worn leather boot indeed deteriorates. Laraigne keeps his punk rock ideals, beliefs, independence and DIY work ethic close to his tattooed heart. Let's hope he does not wait another 10 years to press his yore onto smokey vinyl. Shield Recordings /Snappy Little Numbers spare no expense in this nicely laid-out package with a fold-out poster. Quality product as expected from this operation.
Hope to see more from Laraigne as his travels forge paths through unchartered territory knocking one shot down at a time and selling his stories for a little cash, a little booze, and food as he carries on his journey to unknown destinies.
Repeated spins will resonate with the listener. Hold your beer up high, lift your head from the sud-soaked bar and belt out a chorus with Laraigne!
