The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings. The Besnard Lakes

The Besnard Lakes was nothing but a band name to me. I can't recall that I have ever heard music by the band or the next best that it made some kind of an impression on me if I have. That changed with this album with the incredibly long title The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings. It's been some time since a far reaching, huge album like this made an impression on me.

Because a huge album it is. An album that could have been made in the 70s by one of the famous symphonic rock bands of the era, were it not that a part of the music on The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings still had to be invented. The Besnard Lakes manages to combine the pop rock grandeur of Oasis with sympho bands like Pink Floyd and The Moody Blues.

This new album came after a period of existential crisis for the band, after splitting with its label in 2016. It took five years to figure out what the next step should be. There's a new album because the band realised that primarily it makes music for itself and next for the world. It seems like the right choice, because even on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean I'm enjoying the result of that choice. This is what this band wants the world to hear. Nothing more but certainly nothing less, 72 minutes long it showcases all it is capable of. Be ready to be awestruck.

The album contains a few long instrumental sequences at the end of songs. As such I'm reminded of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' but where that song keeps a tension going despite the minimal music Richard Wright plays on his many keyboards, it is missing here. That may well be because I've been spoiled forever by getting to know this album so many years ago. Fact is that The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings intrigues me no little. The instrumental pieces are extras in an album that combines whole musical eras.

Promo photo: Joseph Yarmusch

The Besnard Lakes do not for a second try to be Oasis but is able to present some of its songs just as larger than life the Britpoppers of old could and so much more inventive at that. Throw in a little psychedelia in the style of The Dandy Warhols at its very, very best and that is when the 70s style sympho starts glowing as if its 2021. For an old rocker like me the music gets an ageless quality as it could be brand new and a few decades old at the same time.

Most songs on The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings are top heavy and yet seem to defy gravity itself. There's so much going on while the mix is broad and closed in at the same time. This makes it a heavy sound, while the long-drawn notes and the spacey keyboards make the songs appear to float on murky, hot, humid air. This is added to by the slow, high singing of Jace Lasek. The effect is mesmerising, music from a fairytale forest.

If this isn't enough to make you curious than I do not know what will. I have to leave you to your own devices.

Wo.

You can listen to and buy The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings here:

https://thebesnardlakes.bandcamp.com/album/the-besnard-lakes-are-the-last-of-the-great-thunderstorm-warnings-2

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g