Since arriving on the scene in 2005, The Divorcees have proudly carried the Outlaw Country flag in Canada, and they continue to lead the charge with their sixth album Another Round, the follow-up to 2021’s internationally acclaimed Drop Of Blood.
As with their previous work, the Moncton, New Brunswick-based quartet comprised of guitarist-vocalist Alex Madsen, bassist Denis “Turtle” Arsenault, guitarist Shawn Thomas and drummer Kevin Macintyre collaborated closely on writing and recording Another Round, with Scott Girvan contributing keyboards and Coco McGraw adding pedal steel.
The album’s first single “Ain’t Dead Yet” boldly demonstrates that the twang quotient remains high, with the album overall reflecting what the band agrees was a desire to do a solid, kicking country record that could stand alongside vintage efforts Waylon Jennings as well as more recent offerings by artists such as Charley Crockett.
“As The Divorcees, we’ve always stayed very close to our musical roots,” Madsen says. “We know what we are and are happy doing what we do. We have swung from one end to the other in terms of being progressive or classic, but at our core we are straight-up country. This album reflects our nature as a no-nonsense country band. Just the way we like it.”
That approach is also reflected in the Bakersfield sound of Another Round’s second single “You’ve Got That Right” and on “Hotel Room,” which gives Shawn Thomas plenty of space to tear it up on lead guitar. And while “Ain’t Dead Yet” is a testament to the band’s longevity, their proven ability to write memorable drinking anthems also shines through—albeit as cautionary tales—on “Hangover,” “DUI” and “Don’t Drink Your Blues Away.”
Madsen explains, “Turtle wrote ‘Hangover,’ ‘Don't Drink Your Blues Away’ and ‘Ain't Dead Yet’ as well, which is a first for us and really provided a lot of creative energy. Another big favourite among the guys is ‘DUI,’ which is just a great gut-punch of a country song, haunting and to the point. Oddly enough, it was a song written nearly 30 years ago and just came back at the right time.”
With a CV that includes two East Coast Music Awards for Country Album of the Year, multiple Music New Brunswick awards, and their early single “Red Haired, Red Blooded Woman” establishing their presence on CMT, The Divorcees have built a loyal, multi-generational fan base across Canada. Their blue-collar, defiantly independent musical approach has also drawn the respect and admiration of Corb Lund, J.P. Cormier, Tim Hus, and other Canadian artists working within the Outlaw Country tradition. The bottom line is that no one ever leaves a Divorcees show disappointed.
When asked to name his own specific influences, Madsen is quick to rattle off a list of artists who only need to be mentioned by their first names: Johnny, Hank, Buck, Merle, Kris, George, Waylon, Willie, Dwight, Charley, Sturgill and Tyler. As he says, “Those who know, know. We’re pretty proud to keep that Outlaw flame burning bright.”