Released in 1996, this album definitively answers a question that has occasionally plagued the Cowboy Junkies: yes, they sound good, but do they rock? Though still laden with the melancholia that has marked previous efforts, this release is sonically dense, guitar-drenched, and good at high-volume levels. Margo Timmins’ voice has never been more expressive, and the lyrics shimmer with intensity. Although the band has occasionally touched on quiet moments reminiscent of fellow Canadian Neil Young, little they have done before this album approached the emotive wail of his louder efforts. The Cowboy Junkies have proven their versatility while retaining their unique sound.
For the first time Ever, “Lay It Down” is now available on vinyl. This is a very special album for us. It was the first with our new label Geffen Records and it set us on a trajectory away from the nascent Americana scene and towards something that was, once again, uniquely our own. It also contained our biggest radio hit, “A Common Disaster” (which was a trajectory of a different sort). We’ve teamed up with Real Gone Music and they have done a beautiful job with the re-release. It looks great and more importantly it sounds great.
The lyrics consider serious topics such as aging and death – so while it goes up tempo at times it falls back to the typical mid tempo mild downer over bass guitar sound that is after all the Junkies bread and butter. I have or have heard all of their releases, and it’s right at the top with “Whites Off Earth Now”, and in my mind better than the “Trinity Sessions”. Timmins voice has never been captured better than on this LP. She’s in control of the material, and spins it out with confidence and vigor.
The Fat Angel Sings 