Review
Laraigne
The Brightside Of It All

Snappy Little Numbers (2022) Christopher D

Laraigne – The Brightside Of It All cover artwork
Laraigne – The Brightside Of It All — Snappy Little Numbers, 2022

Oh, Canada!

Hailing from Geneva and now back and forth between Toronto and the beautiful city of Montreal, Greg Laraigne weaves well-crafted stories into a tapestry of lore and social commentary. The album apparently was ten years in the making while he also perfected his trade as a well-respected man in the field of tattooing. Easy comparisons are made to WilcoUncle TupeloJohnny CashKristofferson or any other dust-laden highwayman with a hip flask, five o'clock shadow and brim pulled over his upward glancing eyes projecting shadows on his pallid sunken cheekbones. Weathered guitar, worn pickguard, dinged and dented tells a story of a journeyman singing for his meals and spirits. The devil might be scratching at the door, inviting you in through the ring of fire but the dance is not over until the sole of the well-worn leather boot indeed deteriorates. Laraigne keeps his punk rock ideals, beliefs, independence and DIY work ethic close to his tattooed heart. Let's hope he does not wait another 10 years to press his yore onto smokey vinyl. Shield Recordings /Snappy Little Numbers spare no expense in this nicely laid-out package with a fold-out poster. Quality product as expected from this operation.

Hope to see more from Laraigne as his travels forge paths through unchartered territory knocking one shot down at a time and selling his stories for a little cash, a little booze, and food as he carries on his journey to unknown destinies.

Repeated spins will resonate with the listener. Hold your beer up high, lift your head from the sud-soaked bar and belt out a chorus with Laraigne!

Laraigne – The Brightside Of It All cover artwork
Laraigne – The Brightside Of It All — Snappy Little Numbers, 2022

Related news

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more