LeBarons - Days Are Mountains (2023) Hi-Res

Toronto/Hamilton-based alt-country group, LeBarons has unveiled their second full-length album, Days Are Mountains, which is co-produced by Cone McCaslin (Sum 41) and John Dinsmore (Sarah Harmer, NQ Arbuckle). Bravely Adding Punk, Grunge, Indie, Britpop and even New Wave to the Canadian Alt. Country Party.

Opening track Movie literally explodes out of the speakers! Grungy guitars (ala Neil?), explosive drumming and a bass that must be powered by Ethanol and Diesel …. all followed by big, brave and powerful vocals on a vibrant song that feels like an uppercut to the jaw.

A lot has happened in the intervening years since SUMMER OF DEATH was released and I think it’s fair to say LeBarons have spent their time wisely embracing new music and the weird things that have effected us all around the world; and songs like second track Through To You take those claustrophobic emotions and run with them.

The band describe themselves as Canadian Alt. Country and I’m happy to agree with that description …. but there is so much going on here that you have to add Punk, Grunge, Indie, Britpop and even New Wave to the party to get a real sense of what’s on offer here.
That sounds like the end result could be an unholy mess; but trust me … it isn’t; what it creates is a distinctive sound that raises Knife and Falling Sun out of the gutter and placing them firmly in glittering shop window in a musical boutique.

There’s a self-belief and ragged glory that underpins many of the songs here that reminds me of Son #1’s Nirvana and Radiohead albums way back when; not that LeBarons sound like either; they just channel a similar energy particularly via It Bleeds and Ride or Die which could be the last great Cowboy song or possibly about a biker gang who knows? But it sounds amazing cranked to 9 on a car stereo.
Better Than Anyone and the punk infused Rockabilly No Darkness take an oblique left turn and feed your desire for quality Alt. Country circa the days when Wilco and Green on Red ruled the roost.
Then, when you least expect it, LeBarons close the album with an ‘Unplugged’ style acoustic Redux of Falling Sun to close the album and it’s genuinely spine tingling.

In many ways DAYS OR MOUNTAINS isn’t as immediatly accessible as DAYS OF SUMMER, but it will only take a couple of days and an open mind before you do savour the delights that this swaggering and self-confident band and album have to offer.