There’s a common, likely unintended ethos at the center of most Canadian albums that curiously betrays their heritage without outwardly announcing it; a certain telltale vibe beyond the technical and structural instrumentation of the songs. Former Lowest of the Low guitarist Stephen Stanley’s new album Jimmy & The Moon proves an interesting observation of this notion.
This ethos is evidenced in the work of Spirit of the West, The Odds, Rheostatics, Great Big Sea, and several more of Stanley’s Canuck compatriots. But simple roots rock reminiscence is far too vague a conclusive descriptor. American artists dutifully namecheck their brand of Americana sneeringly, a badge in a now obligatory rite of musical passage. Canadians do so without intended bombast with more genteel, quieted intention. Jimmy & The Moon‘s title track and “Under the Mynah Bird” aptly demonstrate this premise, and album opener “Talkin’ Bout It” embodies the earnest charm and humility at the heart of Canadian musicianship ethos. But this disposition is only half of the allure of Jimmy & The Moon.
The other half is the album’s musical sophistication and songwriting scope. The power of Jimmy & The Moon lies in the fact that while it’s imbued in Canadiana, it doesn’t allow itself to be limited by it. The musicianship is grand and superior, with songs punching far above their Canadian indie weight class – the record easily holds its own among the likes of American roots rockers Chuck Prophet and The Jayhawks and beyond, particularly with tunes like “40 Endings”, “Things I Wish I’d Never Seen”, and “By Her Side”. Throughout the record, Jimmy & The Moon moves from strength to strength; whether it be the poppy singalong chorus of “Melinda” or the emotive grit of “Next To Me”.
Warm, pure nationalistic sincerity with worldly swagger. Albums like this one make me proud to be Canadian.