I was a toddler when Blue Rodeo released its debut album Outskirts, which let’s not talk about how many years later landed at number two on NOW‘s list of 50 Best Toronto Albums Ever. I was seven when Lost Together came out—the first album that the band produced itself, and one of the main albums that, you know, really got me when I was going through all those prepubescent trying times. Which is why, it’s almost insane to think that nearly 11 years later the same band that ushered in some of my own personal greatest moments is still going strong with 15 albums to date and a brand new early collection of remastered work (Blue Rodeo: 1987-1993) that features rare photos of the band (dreamy) and an essay by Jason Schneider about how it dealt with success. It’s a good time for looking back, but Friday’s concert is just one more stop on what fans can only hope is a never-ending ride of musical relevance.
Blue Rodeo
Friday, January 18, 8pm, $54.50/$34
Metro Centre, 5284 Duke Street
This article appears in Jan 17-23, 2013.