On his third country album “Bloor Street” Kiefer Sutherland also looks polished. The wild time of the 55-year-old seems over.
In the song “County Jail Gate” he processes his memories, packaged as the story of a criminal sentenced to life imprisonment. The tender-melodic ballad is a highlight of the current album and remains the exception in its heavy impression. In the title song “Bloor Street” the musician honors his hometown Toronto.
He practically grew up at the intersection of Bloor Street and Yonge Street, where he had his first job, his first kiss and — of course — his first fight. The nostalgia runs through the entire album. In “Nothing Left To Say” the son of screen legend Donald Sutherland (86) sings regarding a past love, in “Down The Line” regarding a former acquaintance who made bad decisions when it came to men.
The country genre is predestined for bitterly gloomy confessions of life. However, “Bloor Street” lacks the rawness and playfulness of previous albums. Sutherland is largely saying goodbye to alternative country. The result is mainstream country rock with bright melodies, “Two Stepping in Time” or “So Full Of Love” almost scratch the pop genre and might also come from Bryan Adams or Don Henley.
