He may rhyme the blues but there is no hometown hatred or sad songs here. Known to his mother was Elliott Walsh, Wynrush is unforgiving of his West Indian heritage and city. Like he says: “If you don’t like the accent, fuck you.” The best stories and references on Garbage Hill, Winnipeg South Blues and Ole Mine Town featuring Grand Analog, are incorporated creatively, rather than aimless name-dropping. If the darker beginning of the album doesn’t work for you, the second half keeps the same content, but is more upbeat and ambitious. My favorite track, Liks soulfully describes his mother, “Do bad she’ll teach you right,” reminding many of us with immigrant parents of their once terrifying, but now laughable, disciplinary techniques. Locally driven, Wynrush entertains and informs with an album that relates to those far beyond his “Trinnipeg” roots.

Published in Volume 64, Number 1 of The Uniter (September 3, 2009)