Third album by these Canadians. Released on the always awesome Paper Bag Records. Not a huge departure from previous records but probably more light and shade than the last one maybe. I just love Nils Edenloff’s voice, reminiscent of John K Samson of my favourite Canadians, The Weakerthans. Same wry observations and downbeat world weariness without being depressing to listen to.

The Rural Alberta Advantage will release their highly-anticipated third album, Mended With Gold, on September 29th. The twelve-track album was recorded at Toronto’s Candle Recording with the band’s long-time live engineer Matt Lederman (Hayden, !!!, Besnard Lakes) alongside co-producer Leon Taheny (Owen Pallett, Austra, F*cked Up).

In 2006 singer-songwriter Nils Edenloff, percussionist Paul Banwatt, and multi-instrumentalist Amy Cole came together to release their debut self-titled EP as The Rural Alberta Advantage. The ensuing years have brought two full-length albums (2008’s Hometowns and 2011’s Departing), widespread critical praise (SPIN, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR, among others), two Juno Award nominations (Best New Group, Video of the Year), the Polaris Music Prize Long List, and a hard earned reputation as one of the most impressive live bands you’ll ever see. It was through all of this that The RAA’s latest album, Mended With Gold, took shape.

Nils recalls, “Last spring, I rented a remote cottage up in the Bruce Peninsula on the recommendation of some friends to try to do some writing for the new album. It turned out to be a pretty terrifying place to be alone with your thoughts – locals told me to watch out for black bears, the heat wasn’t working and at night it sounded like the cottage was surrounded by wolves. I slept with a pocket knife at arms-reach. It’s funny the lines that will run through your head when you’re alone like that and trying to get yourself to sleep- they inspired “To Be Scared”, which is probably one of my favorite songs on the record.”

The ideas and moods created in these songs tie back to the album title Mended With Gold, embracing the idea that the breakage and repair of an object becomes part of its unique history and ultimately makes it more valuable instead of a blemish to disguise. The Rural Alberta Advantage have taken all of their successes, losses, adventures, and heartbreaks over the past few years, and forged them together into an unforgettably powerful work of beauty.