SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SKYDIGGERS – WEST MONTROSE

SKYDIGGERS
WEST MONTROSE
INDEPENDENT

The new album from Skydiggers, West Montrose, is a collection of songs from albums past and old favourites, from Canada’s preeminent roots rock band. Presented simply and with a skeleton crew of the band on board, the album sees founders Andy Maize (vocals) and Josh Finlayson (acoustic guitar and vocals) joined by longtime Skydiggers member and vocalist Jessy Bell Smith. Bringing his considerable talents to this stripped-down acoustic project is the multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Bowskill, who contributes acoustic guitar, tenor guitar, mandolin, and upright bass. Well-known for his work with The Sheepdogs, Brooks & Bowskill, and Blue Rodeo, Bowskill recorded a portion of the album at his studio in Baltimore, ON.

Longtime fans may recognize the significance of the album’s title. Often referenced by Andy Maize during Skydiggers’ live shows, West Montrose was the name of the duo formed by Finlayson and Maize early in their career. The album is a celebration of the beauty, simplicity, and independent spirit embodied by those early years.

Featuring five songs from the band’s back catalogue, and five songs by a variety of other songwriters, West Montrose has a singularity of sound that honours folk, roots, bluegrass, and old-time traditions. This recording’s die is cast right from the first track, “Alice Graham,” which originally appeared as a straight-up rocker on the band’s 1995 album Road Radio. The new version starts with a bluegrass guitar roll and bounces along beautifully through stellar acoustic guitar solos, and comfortable three-part vocals between Maize, Finlayson, and Bell Smith. Equally brilliant is the cover of Bill Browning’s “Dark Hollow.” With its mandolin-led intro and a plaintive lead vocal by Josh Finlayson, this track is akin to the soundtrack of the Coen Brothers’ film, O Brother, Where Art Thou?.

Bright spots abound on this album, but special mention should be made of certain performances. The vocal take and the guitar-and-mandolin interplay on “Leslie” transform the song into a haunting mountain dirge. Likewise, the vocal harmonies with guest Paul Langlois of Tragically Hip, and the old-time guitar treatment of former Skydigger Peter Cash’s song “This Old Town,” present it in a whole new light.

The mix of original songs, paired with songs that influenced the band, works well. The production and style of the album is the tie that binds this project. A Skydiggers song, such as “Shimmy Up Those Words,” is right at home beside Steve Earle’s “The Mountain” or Buddy Holly’s “Well Alright.” Many of the covers on this album are songs that Finlayson and Maize have been performing for years, and it is nice to see them get their due on record. What is remarkable about West Montrose is that the songs are given new life through a more rudimentary presentation. We are looking back on old songs in an old style, presented in a new way, if that makes sense. The strength of this album lies in the quality of the songs and the talent of the musicians. Congratulations, Skydiggers. West Montrose for the win!

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