Cuff The Duke – Sidelines Of The City

I Wanna Taranna Pt. 32: Sonic Boom #15 $2.99 Deal #8: Cuff The Duke – Sidelines Of The City

I couldn’t believe I got this great Oshawa band’s third record for so little. Seriously, this thing is worth full price and then some.

If you don’t know of this band, their sound is a sweet mix of folk, indie rock, alt-country, and blues. They use a whole pile of instruments beyond the typical guitar, drums and bass, such as brass, vibraphone, glockenspiel, Moog synthesizers, wind and Hammond organs, and lap steel (among others). It all adds up to one of the most varied, interesting and wonderful records you’re likely to hear in a long time. The instrumental sections are glorious. Heck, Jason Tait (Weakerthans) played on some songs, here: drums (2), percussion (1) and a friggin’ saw (1).

They’ve also been known to play with Hayden, Blue Rodeo, and they had a song on the Secret Sessions tribute to the Rheostatics. Moreover, I had an incomplete recollection of having seen them in concert, but not when… had they opened for Sloan, at some point?… so I asked and yup, James confirmed it, we saw them open for Sloan in Saskatoon in 2003. Neat! I don’t recall a whole lot about their set because I was focussed on Sloan, but I’m sure I enjoyed their set too! 

Seriously. This record is stellar, not a mediocre track in the bunch. If you see it, don’t hesitate! Get it!

Advertisements