Joel Plaskett — La De Da

"Let’s piss ‘em off," says a smug Joel Plaskett a few seconds before launching into his fourth solo disc, La De Da. For people who thought Plaskett was heading back to his rock ‘n’ roll roots after the electrified Truthfully Truthfully, this quiet affair may indeed get you in a tizzy. However, before grabbing Down At The Khyber or Thrush Hermit’s Clayton Park, recall your pleasant surprise at hearing In Need Of Medical Attention. Like his previous efforts, La De Da showcases why this Haligonian is one of Canada’s finest songwriters. Plaskett’s familiar off-key delivery coupled with stories about his old band and leaving Halifax ("I Love This Town") will invoke a sense of longing and attachment usually reserved for The Weakerthans. It’s hard to find fault with Plaskett’s delicate finger picking and engaging tales, but on more than one occasion, especially on "Parazlyzed" you wish Plaskett would just turn up his amp and rock out.

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