SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GORD SINCLAIR – IN CONTINENTAL DRIFT

Gord Sinclair
In Continental Drift
Pheromone Recordings/Cadence Music Group

Gord Sinclair returns with his sophomore solo album, In Continental Drift, the follow-up to his solo debut 2020 release, Taxi Dancers. Sinclair, well-known for his bass and backup vocals as a member of The Tragically Hip since their inception in 1984, continues to discover his voice as a solo entity.

In Continental Drift features Sinclair (vocals, guitar, bass) with James McKenty (guitar, vocals) and Jeff Halischuk (drums). McKenty, the former member of the band The Spades, also assisted with mixing and mastering. Sinclair has previously collaborated with McKenty as producer for all four of The Spades’ albums, while McKenty recorded and mixed Taxi Dancers while also contributing guitar on that record.

On the first single, “Gool Guy”, Sinclair playfully punches-up at the arrogance of corporate tomfoolery, in a catchy, foot-stompin’ critique. The second single, “Sometimes”, is lyrically a darker deep-dive into self-reflection, but with an upbeat sound, in the same ballpark as “The Boys Are Back In Town” by Thin Lizzy.

Other standouts include “Now That’s Gone Too”, “Over And Over Again”, and the closer, “All The Way”.

In Continental Drift reveals Sinclair as an evolving, more confident solo singer and songwriter, as he continues to find his way after such a long, gracious time as a piece of Canadian rock royalty. Sinclair sings much more at ease in this release and demonstrates a wider vocal range while sounding like he’s enjoying the process and the results of his efforts.

Artist Links