Album Review: Cuff The Duke

It is hard to believe that Cuff The Duke have been around for ten years already. I got turned on to them back in 2005 with their eponymous second album. I am not even sure how I got turned on to them. I have a vague recollection of seeing the video for “The Ballad of Poor John Henry” on MuchMoreMusic back in the day when they actually played music videos. So I guess that is when it began for me.

Fast forward to the fall of 2012 and Cuff The Duke release Union which is the second half of their two disc concept that began with Morning Comes. Written at the same time, the albums serve as part one and two or before and after if you will. Morning Comes revolves thematically about getting through something and its companion, Union, is about new beginnings.

I could take up a good portion of this review trying to express what it is about Cuff The Duke that I like but suffice it to say it is their accomplished musicianship and that roots-rock sound that I like so much. For me, what really stands out about Union is that it is a noticeable evolution for the band. Lead singer and songwriter Wayne Petti made a conscious decision on the record to be much more electric. I read in an interview that Petti was afraid they had gone too far down the electric road that the record would not sound like Cuff The Duke. No worries there Wayne. Yes the album is electric but there is no mistaking that this is a Cuff The Duke record. The songs and the vocals are very distinctive but they just have a different flavour (in a good way).

The album was recorded live off the floor at Greg Keelor’s (Blue Rodeo) Lost Cause Studios and produced by the band with Mr. Keelor. The track listing is solid and engaging. “Carry On” is very reminiscent of past Cuff The Duke songs. “Stay” which is the lead single featuring Basia Balat is a beautiful pleading ballad. “Rise Above” and “Night After Night” which are the two closing tracks are catcyh electric tunes that get stuck in my head and I find that I am toe tapping to hours later.

I was fortunate to catch Cuff The Duke on their tour supporting the Union release and they were outstanding as usual. The new tracks fit in quite well with the old standards. Good job boys.