If great art is produced through authenticity and relatability, then The Galpines are the great troubadours of our time. Their music rings out with a peel of honesty as a true zeitgeist of our generation. Unsurprisingly, I could hardly listen to Sorry Mom, their appropriately titled full-length album, while my own mother was within earshot.
With a slew of explicit tracks, The Galpines laud their love for cocaine and fiscal irresponsibility and their hatred for keeping their clothes on. If there’s one clear message that comes from Sorry Mom, it’s that there are two types of people in this world: those who feel you can throw babies at any of the problems that life deals you and those who just feel you should throw babies.
That isn’t to say I don’t have a certain level of adoration for The Galpines. After years of the band touring New Brunswick’s festival scene, The Gals have corrupted their way into our hearts with their brand of redneck raunch. The most shocking part is that it took them this long to put out an album.
While there’s no getting around the questionable content, the band at least present it well. On “Go to Sleep” they’ve reworked a classic lullaby with the modern matter-of-fact twist that mom and dad have other priorities that evening, “Dog > Baby” reinforces that sentiment with a catchy harmony-filled chorus and “Litterbug” offers a foot-stomping, eco-friendly, socially-minded message. Produced by Don Levandier of The Motorleague, the album sounds spectacular, regardless of how you feel about what you’re hearing.
The Galpines will be holding their album release party at the legendary Parkindale Hall on July 21st, 2018, and they promise it will feature more than a few surprises. Take your mom, if you dare.
Tour Dates:
07.21.18 – Parkindale Hall, Elgin NB
08.04.18 – Messtival, Anagance NB
08.31.18 – The Dakota Tavern, Toronto, ON
09.01.18 – Magfest, Dunchurch, ON
09.03.18 – Cafe Dekcuf, Ottawa ON
09.04.18 – TBA, Montreal QC
09.08.18 – Holy Whale Brewery, Alma NB