Whale Music

WHOMEVER SUBMITTED THIS IS MY HERO. Please give this album the time it deserves. I bought it soon after release based on a bit of buzz and...I just didn't get it at first. Overwhelming which led to me thinking it was boring? Confusing? I remember feeling bad but putting it aside and after giving it a week or two I tried again....and something clicked and holy shit.... every new spin revealed something new. The songwriting, the musicianship, the guitar playing, 3 lead vocalists which never kept things too stale. It still feels fresh to me 30+ (!!!) years later. This has to be among my 5 most-played albums ever and it IS a proper album meaning I've tried to put tracks on mix tapes (yes cassettes) and early mix CDs but individual songs lost something. The sum is greater than its parts etc etc. This band has meant a ton to me over the decades and I believe in an alternate universe Rheostatics would be a parallel to the Beatles in terms of diversity and influence; but this was their magnum opus. Plus NEIL FKNG PEART plays on it. 10/10 5 stars. IMO: Belonged in the book? Yes.

Whale Music is a rock album by the Canadian band Rheostatics. It seems to be a thing as it's been selected as one of the best (top 10) albums from Canada several times. I don't get that as there is so much great Canadian music to be found and is is mediocre at best. This album tries too much. It goes all the ways in styles, tempo and ideas. For me it starts ok, but then I get a clusterf**k set of songs consisting of sort of daddy rock annoying middle of the road stuff ("King of the Past", "R.D.A. (Rock Death America)" and "The Headless One"). I think the guitar playing and production is top notch. The band has to decide if they want to be a stadium rock commercial vehicle (like Toto) or a real band with integrity. Now it's a mess due not making up what is the plan. This album has a lot of things to like, but too much to hate.

Totally thought this was gonna be sludge metal off of that cover. There's something going on with all these Canadian alt rock suggestions on the list, because every time I listen to one of them I have the exact same reaction of: "That was fine and I will now proceed to never think about it again, strong 2/5." Anyways, that was fine and I will now proceed to never think about it again, strong 2/5.

Wow this was very different. Even different from other quirky Canadian bands which I tend to love. A lot of unique things here that I haven’t fully wrapped my head around, but its great!

Wow talk about a blast from the past. I remember listening to Rheostatics in like 2004? I can't remember which album or anything and none of the discography ring a bell, but someone had sent me them to listen to. This was weird Canadian music that I feel would fit into the list. No one else is quite doing what they are doing here and given the lack of Canadian artists, I am slightly leaning towards being okay with adding it in. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Slight yes.

On the fence about this initially - in spite of this band I hadn't heard of having clear pedigree as Canadian indie rock royalty, and the album featuring an impressive roster of outside collaborators. A lot of the singing is relatively weak, and lyrically it frequently wanders into monologuing territory. It grew on me though with its obduratelty off kilter lyrics and solidly grounded rock. Extra point for Neil Peart feature, RIP.

This was significantly better on a second listen. Not sure why. Didn't mind it on the first, but the second time had my interest.

I came across this album not long ago for some reason. I thought it had been through this project, but searching back I don't see it. Anyway, however I found it I'm glad I did. It's really good. 4 stars.

I immediately got the similar vibes to the Barenaked Ladies to find out that there was some feature!? Great combo and that already makes me feel better about them. I liked it right away- it's different but not in a bad risky bad way like in a good fun way. I feel like in order for me to understand it to its full potential, I would have to listen many times, but I did really like it.

Pas mal sûr que ça serait juste des sons ben aigües

Some enjoyable indie folk, felt like a Canadian version of Drive-By Truckers. Sits right at the edge of a 3 for me, most of the tracks felt unique and genuine, but others seemed to drag on and be somewhat homogeneous. Couple that with the hour+ runtime and this one did test my patience, but overall I think I mostly enjoyed it.

Rating: 6/10 Best songs: Rain rain rain

Better than actual whale music, but not hugely memorable. Pleasant enough though, and very, very Canadian.