NORTHERN PASSAGES | THE SADIES

3.10.17 I think The Sadies might be one of Canada’s better bands. I have never thought Canada could claim Neil Young.. especially since he has lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains for almost half a century. I am from Seattle and I have said for years that Hendrix was not ours, he was Londons’. 

Going through The Sadies impressive catalog I am thinking that Northern Passages shares the top spot with 2007s New Season. 

When you seamlessly blend influences from Flying Burrito Bros and solo Parsons, REM, garage rock and hell, even a little Gordy Lightfoot, then make it truly your own, thats special. When I first heard Northern Passages it was like I was already listening to a classic record on par with The Gilded Palace of Sin.

Mark Deming at AllMusic writes: Toronto's the Sadies must have been in an especially Canadian mood when they were writing and recording their tenth studio album, 2017's Northern Passages. The group has always had a knack for creating a powerful atmosphere in the studio, but many of the best moments on  suggest they've been channeling the golden days of '70s Can-Con radio. . . .