It has been two years since City and Colour released The Hurry and The Harm, the band’s fourth and most successful album to date. Since then, front man Dallas Green has been touring extensively with City and Colour, a reunion tour with Alexisonfire, as well as joining forces with pop superstar Alecia Moore (aka Pink) to release an album under the moniker you+me. This collaborative effort saw chart successnever before realised by Green either in City and Colour, or his time in hardcoreoutfit Alexisonfire.
The new album, If I Should Go Before You, is due for release on the 9th of October, through Dine Alone Records. City and Colour are returning to our shores in 2016 as one of the headliners of Bluesfest. Here are five things we learnt from the, at times, surprising fifth album.
THIS ALBUM IS BEING RELEASED TO HIGH EXPECTATIONS
The Hurry and The Harm was widely acclaimed and saw City and Colour gain more chart success worldwide than any of their previous releases. That alone would put the pressure on this album to deliver. In addition, however, is Dallas Green’s involvement in the hugely successful you+me album of 2014, as well as a recent reunion tour for Alexisonfire.
Green is seemingly everywhere at the moment, and on the eve of this release, this album is expected to deliver to a wide variety of fans, both old and new. Those who discovered Green through you+me will probably be disappointed, as not only does this album not involve Pink, it is mostly absent from beautifully harmonised sweet folk tunes that were a feature of that release.
THIS IS CITY AND COLOUR THE BAND, NOT JUST DALLAS GREEN
The City and Colour band has been a stable entity for two years, since the recording of the bands’ last album. The band consists of bassist Jack Lawrence, drummer Doug MacGregor, organist/pianist/pedal steel player Matthew Kelly and lead guitarist Dante Schwebel. The Quintethas become somewhat of an extended family, and for Green that was a big part ofthe inspiration for this new album.
Not only is the first true ‘full-band’ album for City and Colour, it is also the first that was produced solely by Green. Whilst always being involved in the production, this is the first time taking the lead role, and it allowed him to realise the clear vision he had in his mind for the album.
IT MAY SEEM LIKE A DEPARTURE, BUT IT IS ACTUALLY AN OBVIOUS PROGRESSION
At first listen, this album seemslike a change in style and sound, and in some ways it is. Mostly, however, it is just another forward stepin the evolution of City and Colour, each album displaying more mature songwriting, and an increasing complexity of arrangements. To release an album that mirrors, for example, 2008’s fan favourite Bring Me Your Love would at this point seem like a step backwards.
AT TIMES, IT’S NOTHING LIKE WHAT YOU’VE HEARD FROM CITY AND COLOUR BEFORE
The opening track, and first single, ‘Woman’ is a bold and surprising opening statement, yet perfectly sets the tone for what is to come. Clocking in at over nine minutes, the track is slow building, slow moving and if not for Green’s signature falsetto, would probably not be recognisable as a City and Colour song. The declaration of undying love sets the lyrical mood for the rest of the album. Musically it is an obvious departure from what has come before, yet gives the listener a great indication of what is to follow.
Existing fans must place a little trust in Green for this album. This is a fantastic album, one of his best and certainly the most diverse. The subtle beauty is there, as always, however at first it gets lost behind the band. This is an album that will amply reward the repeat listener.
AT TIMES, IT’S JUST LIKE WHAT YOU WANT A CITY AND COLOUR ALBUM TO BE
Fans feeling a little apprehensive will breathe a sigh of relief once they reach track four, title track ‘If I Should Go Before You.’ This is classic City and Colour, a slow and beautiful deconstructed waltz. True to style it is lyrically bleak, a devastating request to a cherished lover.
Penultimate track ‘Friends’, an ode to his musical family, is perhaps the perfect combination of the old and new sound. It maintains the sweet acoustic guitar and beautiful Dallas Green harmonies that has won him many legions of fans. At the same time, the track builds slowly around the pedal steel and an alt country groove reminiscent of Cardinal era Ryan Adams. Perhaps Green’s adopted hometown of Nashville, where the album was recorded, has had an influence on his sound.
Green sings, “There’s a line that I’m trying to find, between the water and the open sky.” Perhaps a nod to the search of trying to find balance between what is expected of him and want he wants to achieve musically. It is a search, and perhaps the results won’t please everyone, but that does not discount what an achievement this album is.
City & Colour’s latest album, ‘If I Should Go Before You’, is out Friday, 9th October.
