Album Review: Shit Sucks by BA Johnston (2015)
If you’ve ever cranked up your car stereo while stuck in traffic or belted out a tune about life’s absurdities, BA Johnston’s Shit Sucks might just be the album for you. Released in 2015 under Mammoth Cave Recording Co., this Canadian gem blends pop rock, novelty tunes, and power pop with dashes of folk and country. It’s like someone took all the awkward moments of being alive, wrapped ‘em in catchy hooks, and slapped a label on it that says, “Hey, this is real.”
The album feels like a chaotic yet oddly comforting mixtape of everyday struggles—commuting woes, grocery store dread, love gone sideways, and even existential musings about trash day (seriously). Produced by Mike O’Neill, who also mixed the tracks, Shit Sucks has a raw charm that makes it feel homemade but not half-baked. Credit goes to B.A. Johnston himself for writing lyrics so relatable they almost hurt. And let’s not forget Paul “Quiznos” Hammond, whose artwork perfectly matches the vibe—quirky, unpretentious, and slightly unhinged.
Tracks That Stick
While the whole album delivers its fair share of earworms, two tracks stood out to me as particularly memorable: "I Don’t Want To Go To The No Frills" and "Pizza Party For One."
First off, "No Frills" hits hard because, well, who hasn’t felt that sinking feeling walking into a discount grocery store? The song captures the mundane horror of budget shopping with biting humor and a melody that sneaks into your brain. By the time TJ Blair’s vocals kick in during later verses, you’re either laughing or crying—or both. It’s one of those songs where you think, “Wow, I didn’t know how badly I needed an anthem for avoiding overpriced cheese.”
On the flip side, "Pizza Party For One" is pure melancholy gold. Between Laura Peek’s synth work and Johnston’s deadpan delivery, the track paints a vivid picture of loneliness disguised as fun. Sure, pizza alone sounds great in theory, but when you hear lines like “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to,” it hits different. This isn’t just a sad bop—it’s a reminder that sometimes self-pity tastes better with extra cheese.
Reflections and Random Thoughts
What makes Shit Sucks stand out isn’t just its genre-bending sound or witty storytelling—it’s the way it embraces imperfection. From Nathan Pilon’s programming wizardry to Charles Austin’s tracking skills, every contributor adds something quirky to the mix. Even the repeated tracks (yes, there are duplicates) feel intentional, like inside jokes meant to keep you paying attention.
In the end, listening to Shit Sucks feels like hanging out with a bunch of friends who aren’t afraid to admit they don’t have their lives together—and somehow, that’s comforting. So next time you're debating whether to brave the No Frills checkout line or order another solo pizza, crank this album. Just maybe don’t play it at your actual pizza party… unless you’re okay with everyone realizing they’re kinda lame too.
Final verdict: 8/10. A messy masterpiece worth revisiting.
