JOHNNY MacLEOD WITH THE YOUNG PIONEERS

Dynamite In The Stove (True North/CBS)

Even though I live in Toronto, you can count on one hand the number of times I’ve bent your ear about Canadian talent in the 10 years I’ve been writing for CREEM, so bear with me on this one because Johnny is the only singer/songwriter I’d put serious money on. He released one album (Every Twist Reminds) in 1980 with his former band the G-Rays, and has spent the last half decade leading up to this triumphant moment. The man’s lyrical and musical depth and perception knows no equal, so I’m not going to even try to give you a comparison against which you can judge him. But considering the current value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, I’d say that a trip across the border to buy this album would be more than worth your while. J.M.

LOUDNESS Thunder In The East (Atco)