The Besnard Lakes Are The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings is the group's sixth album and the first in more than 15 years. After 2016's A Coliseum Complex Museum - which saw Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas attempting shorter, less sprawling songs - the Besnards and their label decided it was time to go their separate ways; with that decision came a question of whether to even continue the project at all. What use is a band with an instinct for long, tectonic tunes - rock songs with chthonic heft and ethereal grace, five or 10 or 18 minutes long? How do you sell that in an age of bite-sized streaming? How do you make it relevant?
"Who gives a shit!" the Besnard Lakes realized. Ignited by their love for each other, for playing music together, the sextet found themselves unspooling the most uncompromising recording of their career. Despite all its grandeur, ...The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings honours the very essence of punk rock: the notion that a band need only be relevant to itself. At last the Besnard Lakes have crafted a continuous long-form suite: nine tracks that could be listened together as one, like Spiritualized's Lazer Guided Melodies or even Dark Side of the Moon, overflowing with melody and harmony, drone and dazzle, the group's own unique weather.
Here now, the Besnard Lakes finally dispensed with the two/three-year album cycle, taking all the time they needed to conceive, compose, record and mix their opus. Some of its songs were old, resurrected from demos cast aside years ago. Others were literally woodshedded in the cabanon behind Lasek and Goreas's "Rigaud Ranch" - invented and reinvented, relishing this rougher sound. Some of that distortion makes its way into the final mix: an incandescent crackle that had receded from the Besnards' more recent output.
Rightly - nay, definitively! - The Besnard Lakes Are The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings is a double LP. "Near Death" is the title of the first side. "Death," "After Death," and "Life" follow next. It's literally a journey into (and back from) the brink: the story of the Besnard Lakes' own odyssey but also a remembrance of others', especially the death of Lasek's father in 2019.
Being on your deathbed is perhaps the most psychedelic trip you can go on: in Lasek's father's case, he surfaced from a morphine dream to talk about "a window" on his blanket, with "a carpenter inside, making intricate objects." That experience pervades the album, catching fire on the song "Christmas Can Wait"; elsewhere the band pays tribute to the late Mark Hollis and, on "The Father of Time Wakes Up," they mourn the death of Prince.
In these scorched and pitted times, as the world smoulders, there might be nothing less trendy than an hour-long psych-rock epic by a band of Canadian grandmasters. Then again, there might be nothing we need more. ...The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings is a bright-blazing requiem: nine tunes that are one tune and six musicians who make one band - unleashed and unconstrained, piercing and technicolour. At the end of the golden day, the Besnard Lakes are right where they should be.
The album will be released on 2xLP clear vinyl, CD, and a very limited DINKED Edition (exclusive to Dinked stores) pressed to orange / red splatter vinyl and including a bonus flexi disc containing bonus track “Superego” not found anywhere else.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Don't miss Da Googie aka Deb Googe, bass player with My Bloody Valentine, Thurston Moore Group and Brix Smith, live at The Hug and Pint on Saturday 11th May!
READ MORERoots-rock & roll group The Buffalo Skinners, are on tour with their fourth album, Picking Up What You’re Putting Down, don't miss them live at The Hug and Pint on Wednesday 15th May!
READ MOREImmortal Onion are a thrilling instrumental band from Gdańsk, Poland, fusing math rock with nu jazz. Catch them live at The Hug and Pint on Wednesday 22nd May!
READ MOREWith his exceptional third album Disneyland In Dagenham set for release this May, Scott Lavene is heading out on a supporting tour which will see him play The Hug and Pint on Tuesday 4th June!
READ MOREExpect a career spanning setlist from Afterlands at The Hug and Pint on Friday 7th June with support from Jill Lorean and Rick Redbeard!
READ MOREIl Sogno Del Marinaio, the avant-rock trio formed by legendary bassist Mike Watt, cult Italian experimentalist Stefano Pilia and drummer Paolo Mongardi will headline The Hug and Pint in June!
READ MOREThe last incarnation of the ex-Factory band Section 25. Catch the avant-garde experimental duo at The Hug and Pint on Saturday 13th July!
READ MORESingle Mothers celebrate the 10th anniversary of modern classic 'Negative Qualities' by playing the album in full at The Hug and Pint on Sunday 14th July!
READ MOREWith songs that explore life's murky corners and shadowy characters, Ben de la Cour's music occupies the intersection between gothic Americana and dark, gritty folk.
READ MOREDon't miss young Toronto singer-songwriter Julianna Riolino live at The Hug and Pint on Thursday 29th August!
READ MORENashville based singer-songwriter Jill Andrews brings her tour to Glasgow in September with a date at The Hug and Pint on Tuesday 24th!
READ MOREBlanket plus special guests Delaire The Liar will headline The Hug and Pint on Thursday 10th October!
READ MOREMad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and 'shake your ass' music... don't miss them live at The Hug and Pint on Friday 18th October!
READ MORELeeds-based alternative/indie quartet Adult Jazz have announced a headline show at The Hug and Pint on Monday 21st October!
READ MORELauded by many as one of Britain's finest live bands in the late 90s and early 00s, Billy Mahonie are back on tour, don't miss them at The Hug and Pint on Friday 8th November!
READ MORESpizzenergi bring the first farewell tour to The Hug and Pint on Saturday 16th November!
READ MORELooking for a solid night of rock and soul classics? Don't miss Eagles tribute Hotel Caledonia live at The Ferry!
READ MORESloans Famous Friday Ceilidh is back and it's bigger and better than ever... it's a must for everyone visiting Glasgow and any true weegie!
READ MOREWith his uncanny attention to detail be prepared to let Alan Walker 'Entertain You' with his fantastic tribute to Robbie Williams & George Michael!
READ MOREJim Smart's tribute to Freddie Mercury is one of the most energetic and fun tribute shows available in Scotland today, don't miss it at The Ferry!
READ MOREEnjoy live music on Saturday nights at Arta... entry to the venue is free before 11pm so why not book a table in the main bar and put the entry fee towards a cocktail!
READ MOREDrag-Opticon is the monthly live drag show at the Britannia Panopticon which showcases the best of the Glasgow Drag scene!
READ MOREJames Frew is Simply Rod... performing all the hits in immaculate fashion and in the inimitable style of the man himself!
READ MOREJoin Gerry Lyons at Nice N Sleazy on Mondays for 'longest running open mic in the history of the universe'!
READ MORECome and sing your hearts away, with the best karaoke Glasgow has to offer at Nice N Sleazy's on Monday nights!
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"