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Performing for over 20 years together with over a decades worth of recording under their belts, you would think Blue Rodeo would have their musical personality down. With the last couple albums I wondered if that was in fact the case. As with a lot of bands over the years, Blue Rodeo have done some experimenting with some different sounds, playing and tweaking their music to sound fresh for their fans, or the record buying public. There have been a couple times when this didn't work for the band, and they were disappointed, but the fans were left feeling nearly alienated. On "Are You Ready", Blue Rodeo have backtracked to the sound that first got them noticed, featuring their own style of Canadian Country Rock.

Blue Rodeo do not fail on delivering the goods this time around. As always, the lead vocals are shared duties with Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, who are also the bands songwriting super-duo. Over time Blue Rodeo did do some playing, but this is the sound that got them recognized and loved by fans not only in Canada, but worldwide. "Are You Ready" has more of a rough-edged sound, an intimate sound that helps the listeners better identify with the band. Not super-polished, buffed and waxed, but more of what you would expect to hear from Blue Rodeo in a club setting. 

Blue Rodeo's lyrics have always been as important as the music. With "Are You Ready", Blue Rodeo's lyrics tend to be driven to the darker side of life for the most part. Songs of desperation, songs that remind us of our own mortality, and songs more about love lost than in any happy fairytale endings. There are a few tracks here that are sure to be hits for one of Canada's most loved bands. There is energy, passion, and best of all, "Are You Ready" reclaims the bands personality and that is good news for the fans.

Blue Rodeo are covering Canada on Tour, and "Are You Ready" is sure to draw more fans back to the band, I Know "Palace Of Gold" was a hit with the Juno Awards and some of the more elite press, but with the overproduction, Palace of Gold was an album that really didn't give fans much of the "true" Blue Rodeo sound. The CD opens up with the up-tempo finger tapping sound of "Can't Help Wondering Why", and that sets the stage for the rest that follow. The first single from "Are You Ready" ("RENA") is climbing the charts as a good rock and country mix, however "Are You Ready" is filled with gems that you won't want to miss. "Tired Of Pretending", "Runaway Train", and "Don't Get Angry" are just a few of the other strong cuts. "Are You Ready" is arguably the best sounding disc from Blue Rodeo since "5 Days in July".

  ( 5.5 Stars out of 5 )

` To listen to MP3 clips click play or text link! 1. Can’t Helping Wondering Why 2. Are You Ready 3. Rena 4. Stuck On You 5. Up On That Cloud 6. I Will 7. Phaedra’S Meadow 8. Runaway Train 9. Beverly Street 10. Finger Lakes 11. Tired Of Pretending 12. Don’T Get Angry Related Review - Greg Keelor - Seven Songs For Jim

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