Music and politics meet on new Grievous Angels album

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The Grievous Angels’ latest album, “Revolution,” is a potent-fusion of alternative folk-rock, political fervor and musical authenticity.

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Yes, that’s a mouthful.

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But I have been listening to the album for the last two weeks blasting through my speakers and subwoofer while enduring a wicked cold and taking various medications, and despite all that I have noticed an amped up fiery sound to this new recording.

The opening track, “In the Time of Monsters,” is an invigorating blend of organ-driven melody with a Springsteen E Street Band vibe.

The album’s third track, “If There Was a Revolution,” merges political commentary with solid musicianship including a horn section and funky guitar riff.

The New Orleans-influenced “Sister Mary” and the jangly “Saturday Night in a Laundromat” (my favourite) are nostalgic tracks reminiscent of Lou Reed with excellent harmonizing vocals from Alexandra Bell.

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Elsewhere, the driving blues-rock “Samson and Delilah” boasts a killer guitar solo and the gorgeous end-of-album track “Song for Joan of Arc” makes it all worthwhile.

Listen, my dear readers, and fellow Angels fans: “Revolution” should really be considered a testament to the band’s evolution over three decades.

I could go through every song and I almost have but it may be their most powerful album.

The album builds on the foundations laid by earlier albums such as “Watershed,” “Waiting for the Cage,” or even the band’s excellent album “The Great Divide.”

The band’s enduring ethos under the leadership of Charlie Angus is always sturdy and poetic and on this album it becomes a rallying cry for collective action.

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In part, it’s urging listeners to reflect on their circumstances and consider their roles in the ongoing fight for social justice.

Angus, a long time musician and former MP, has a global base with his resistance movement about opposing authoritarianism.

The twain shall and does meet musically.

Through evocative storytelling the Grievous Angels create a sense of camaraderie with their audience and that will never change, only get better.

John Emms is a musician, writer, and frontman for Canadian blues rockers, The Shaftmen. The band is working on their fourth album and their music is streamed worldwide.

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