Vancouver collective Crack Cloud released their third album today, which was their first for Jagjaguwar after self-releasing their first two. Red Mile is less sprawling and more focused than either Pain Olympics or Tough Baby. It’s also their most “rock” record to date, sounding more like a band and less like a post-apocalyptic epic in album form. The lyrics are more down to earth and introspective as well. You can listen to the album, and watch the just-released video for album closer “Lost on the Red Mile” (which they note is “Slow-Motion 4K Not AI”) below.
Crack Cloud also made us a list of “10 albums that were commercial failures and/or critically polarizing (at the time of release).” Band members Zach Choy, Aidan Pontarini, Bryce Cloghesy, Aleem Khan, and Emma Acs all contributed and the list includes albums by Scott Walker, King Crimson, Leonard Cohen, Royal Trux, Beach Boys, Kanye West and more. Check out the list and their commentary below.
CRACK CLOUD PRESENTS 10 ALBUMS THAT WERE COMMERCIAL FAILURES AND/OR CRITICALLY POLARIZING (AT THE TIME OF RELEASE)
Zach Choy’s selections:
Gene Clark – No Other
“Ex-Byrds songwriter Gene Clark went rogue for this one, and really tapped into the esoteric”
Fleetwood Mac – Tusk
“Lampchops and a Kleenex box for a snare drum”
Leonard Cohen – Death Of A Ladies Man
“A Phil Spector production on the brink of madness”
Lorde – Solar Power
“Contemporary cult classic”
Aidan Pontarini’s selection:
Royal Trux – Sweet Sixteen
“This album is great. And Virgin actually paid them to get out of their contract because they hated it so much”
Bryce Cloghesy’s selections:
Scott Walker – Scott 3
“Scott Walker’s foray into orchestral pop music is brought to life with fascinating avant-garde arrangements. While his chart-topping fame with the Walker Brothers was not to be directly repeated, his penchant for a headier blend of sounds really payed off with this record. Fantastic textures that continue to be an inspiration for songwriters pushing the boundaries of pop music. This record also opened the door to a much darker, more experimental angle decades later, but there is a still a sweetness and naivety here that makes this one timelessly engaging.”
King Crimson – Islands
“King Crimson’s lesser-known exploration into spiritual jazz and ambient rock is a real masterpiece. The experimental rock group likely peaked in critical acclaim with their first album, but this one offers a certain heart-warming existentialism they never repeated. Endless grooves, a spatial landscape with plenty of magnificent textures, especially the piano and saxophone. The title track’s trumpet solo is an all-timer, a big payoff worth the patience.”
Aleem Khan’s selection
Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
“For me, this album is a masterclass when it comes to all things regarding composition, lyrics, complex themes and emotional concepts as there is really nothing else like it. I believe it is important to break any barriers placed upon you and not be afraid to try something new, sometimes even if it feels like your current fan base may completely walk away from you. “Pet Sounds” is a pop masterpiece lovingly made with real spices. It is a meal that feels special to enjoy alone as it also does with friends.”
Emma Acs’s selection
Kanye West – Jesus Is King
“Despite ‘Jesus Is King’ being a bit of a flop in terms of reviews, and though the long-teased and long-awaited album disappointed some fans, it is personally my favorite Kanye album. There’s something fascinating about huge stars finding God—not in a humbling way, but more like they’ve found someone relatable, as they’re being elevated and worshipped in their daily lives themselves.
When Ye released this newfound journey in the form of a Christian album, it reminded me a lot of Elvis Presley’s gospel albums, especially ‘His Hand in Mine.’ He’s been walking a dark path and now he’s seen the light, but often when such major pop stars touch on religion as a theme, it’s like they position themselves as equals next to, rather than under, their Lord. It gives the relationship with God a bit of a ‘golfing with my doctor’ high-society vibe, rather than a ‘servant of God’ vibe, if you know what I mean.
Though for Kanye it is definitely more humble, wholesome, and family-focused, it is still very much a hip-hop album, and the high-profile lifestyle shines through the cracks. His transformation is not the usual conversion story, which is why I love it so much. Maybe because it’s emotionally chaotic. It sounds more like anger and sorrow than salvation. It feels accessible and real. It feels very honest. Production-wise it’s flawless; I love all the decisions that have been made, all the textures, and the comforting sound of the Sunday Service choir. It feels clean, yet gritty and bold, and made with sincere love and excitement for discovery and creation. It feels inspired.
In all ways, I praise ‘Jesus Is King’ and personally think it’s a masterpiece. 😀 “
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Crack Cloud will be on tour in Europe and the UK starting in August, and will open for The Voidz at show in Los Angeles (The Orpheum on October 16) and NYC (The Apollo on October 18 and Knockdown Center on October 21). All dates:
Crack Cloud Tour Dates
Sat. Aug. 24 – Málaga, ES @ Canela Party
Wed. Sep. 4 – Zürich, CH @ Bogen F
Thu. Sep. 5 – Brussels, BEL – Museum @ Botanique
Fri. Sep. 6 – Asten-Heusden, NL @ Misty Fields
Sat. Sep. 7 – Paris, FR @ Maroquinerie
Mon. Sep. 9 – Berlin, GER @ Lido
Tue. Sep. 10 – Copenhagen, DK @ Hotel Cecil
Wed. Sep. 11 – Malmö, SWE @ Plan B
Thu. Sep. 12 – Stockholm, SWE @ Hus 7
Fri. Sep. 13 – Oslo, NOR – By:Larm Festival @ Blå
Sat. Sep. 14 – Oslo, NOR – By:Larm Festival @ TBC
Mon. Sep. 16 – Cologne, GER @ Bumann & Sohn
Tue. Sep. 16 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord
Wed. Sep. 18 – Rouen, FR @ Le 106
Thu. Sep. 19 – La Rochelle, FR @ Sirene
Fri. Sep. 20 – Nantes, FR @ Lieu Unique
Wed. Sep. 25 – London, UK @ Koko
Thu. Sep. 26 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Fri. Sep. 27 – Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
Sat. Sep. 28 – Sheffield, UK @ Float Along Festival
Sun. Sep. 29 – Dublin, IRE @ Whelans
Mon. Sep. 30 – Manchester, UK @ Gorilla
Tue. Oct. 1 – Bristol, UK @ Lost Horizon
Wed. Oct. 2 – Brighton, UK @ CHALK
Thu. Oct. 10 – Mexico City, MC @ Foro Indierocks!
Wed. Oct. 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Orpheum Theatre % SOLD OUT
Fri. Oct. 18 – New York, NY @ The Apollo Theater % SOLD OUT
Mon. Oct. 21 – Queens, NY @ Knockdown Center %
% supporting The Voidz