Rating: NNNN
Part of the Sadies’ charm lies in the fact that whomever they collaborate with, they always sound like the Sadies. Somehow, though, on this self-produced album, they’re more Sadies-like than ever. Songs feel like they might have been recorded any time since the band formed nearly two decades ago: the record kicks off boldly with the jangly psychedelic garage rock of The First 5 Minutes, and there are nods to noisy college rock intermixed with Byrdsy alt-country throughout.
Thematically, many of the lyrics chart circular journeys – both individual and within relationships – and the song titles reflect that concept with references to the past and future, beginnings and endings. The closer, We Are Circling (featuring Buffy Sainte-Marie), acts as a coda, binding the whole concept together, underlining the sacredness of family, community, music-making and the passage of time.
Top track: We Are Circling
The Sadies play an Alice Cooper tribute with Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet at the Garrison Saturday (September 21).
