Broken (and Other Rogue States)

Luke Doucet

Released on 2001-09-19 by Six Shooter Records Inc.
Main artists: Luke Doucet
Genre: Rock

Available in

16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo

Unlimited Streaming

Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps

Start my trial period and start listening to this album

Enjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription

Digital Download

Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.

Where Americans are often stereotyped as being loud and boorish, Canadians are frequently portrayed as being overly polite. If there's a major criticism to be leveled against this sophomore album from former Sarah McLachlan guitarist Luke Doucet, it's that his downtrodden tales of battered hearts and broken dreams are wrapped in poppy musical packaging that's simply a bit too pleasant to deliver the necessary emotional impact. Never has heartbreak seemed so damn cheery. Called the break-up album of the year by various critics in Canada (where the album was released in 2005), Broken (And Other Rogue States) features some impressive Americana influences that could benefit from a bit more minor key melancholy here or a darker vocal melody there. When the soft-voiced songwriter croons, "So cry if you want to/Yeah, you can come undone/But you've gotta have a heart to have a broken one," there's virtually no bite behind the lyrical spite. He's obviously a master song craftsman, as evidenced by the South-of-the-border vibe of "Emily, Please," the deft acoustic balladry of "Wallow," and the shambling blues of "One Too Many." But it's not until the next to last track -- the devastating "No Love to Be Made Here Now" -- that Doucet approaches the greatness of, say, Elliott Smith, delivering a string-laden epic that hits like a sucker punch to the chest. Still, there are simple pop pleasures aplenty to be found here, offering glimpses of an accomplished songwriter just starting to hit his stride.

© Bret Love /TiVo

More info

Broken (and Other Rogue States)

Luke Doucet

You are currently listening to samples.

Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.

Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.

From CA$ 10.83/month