Big Wreck: Albatross (2LP, anniversary edition) [ANTHEM RECORDS]

Why you'll love it

The anniversary 2LP set gives Albatross its proper vinyl due, with alternate versions of "Wolves," "Albatross" and "A Million Days," the bonus track "Fade Away" and a live "Albatross." It debuted at No. 5 in Canada, went gold and was nominated for a Juno.

This edition

• Anniversary edition
• 2LP set
• Alternate versions, a bonus track and a live recording

About the album

Albatross was the album that brought Big Wreck back. It was their first record since The Pleasure And The Greed in 2001, with Ian Thornley leading a new lineup that included long-time bassist Dave McMillan, and when it arrived in March 2012 it debuted at No. 5 on the Canadian Albums Chart, still the highest spot for anything by Big Wreck or Thornley.

It is a big, intricate guitar record, from "Head Together" and "Wolves" to the sprawling title track, and it won the CASBY for Favourite New Album and earned a Juno nomination for Rock Album of the Year. In 2025 the band were Record Store Day Canada's ambassadors, and this anniversary edition was the result. Thornley is the sort of guitarist other guitarists go quiet around, so play it loud and enjoy the silence afterwards.

Tracklist

Listen

Out July 31, 2026 on Anthem Records (cat# ANTH389), a reissue of the 2012 album.