Stompin’ Tom, An Ode for the Road

By Вen Li

“Stereotypical Canadian folk/country adversity music” doesn’t adequately describe this relatively undistinguished album. What differentiates Ode from other recent Eastern-Canadian whiner-artist fare is it’s lack of suckage.

Ode is a testament to how a combination of well-tested musical styles and a modicum of skill can equal success. Instead of being completely innovative or unoriginal, Stompin’ Tom just does what he does well: tells us stories we want to listen to.

Tracks like "Back Yardin’" and "Moonshine Daddy" set blatantly plain and obvious distinctively Canadian situations to music and lyrics to make them unobtrusively interesting. Puppies don’t run away and he doesn’t fly like a bird, but that’s why it works.

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