Cowboy Junkies – The Wilderness
When you are held in such high regard by the likes of Ryan Adams and the late Vic Chesnutt, a very large amount of kudos is definitely due. Having been going since the mid 1980's and operating out of the Canadian musical hub of Toronto, Cowboy Junkies have independently carved out a strong and steady career with their own mixture of folk, country and blues rock.
Close your eyes and potentially you can see where PJ Harvey and even more modern chanteuses like Laura Marling got their inspiration from, with singer Margot Timmins' sultry and smoky vocals winding their way through this album. The album is laid out as sparse and cold as a winter in Winnipeg as its title suggests but at the same time it is equally beautiful. The influences from across the border are apparent with swathes of Americana subtly making their mark. The concluding part of a series of albums released over the last 18 months, The Wilderness has a simple but captivating approach to its construction.
"Are there angels in the wilderness, I don't know." Timmins softly whispers on highlight track, Angels In The Wilderness hinting at some of themes of despair and loneliness which are tackled so well throughout. The elements of strings in Staring Man give a wintry presence that frames these themes even further.
A truly stirring release that showcases a group that has a multitude of experience with years being spent on the road and still sounding as sharp and a relevant as ever.