music
Big Release on March 17: Joel Plaskett (Joel Plaskett & The Park Avenue Sobriety Test)
Big Picture: The Nova Scotia songwriter should be declared a national treasure. A whole generation of Canadian music lovers feel like they grew up with Joel, who is on the cusp of 40 — and his new album takes them on an autobiographical spin, referencing past albums, youthful East Coast romps and American road trips with his early band Thrush Hermit. Introspective and lyrically playful (as always), Plaskett pulls from his traditional playbook in new ways — from adding a Celtic touch to an acoustic ballad to a rollicking guitar rock number with a lazy dance floor-style percussion.
Forecast: The album title is also an anagram for PAST, but Plaskett fans can continue to also look forward to the future. If 40 is the new 30, Plaskett is thankfully still just a young buck.