BIG WRECK NAMED 2025 RECORD STORE DAY CANADA AMBASSADORS

Toronto, ON (January 23, 2025) – Today, Big Wreck is proud to be announced as the Record Store Day Canada 2025 Canadian Ambassadors, releasing an exclusive deluxe edition of their renowned album Albatross on vinyl for the first time. The 18th annual global celebration of the culture of independent record stores takes place this year on April 12, 2025. For a list of participating stores, click here. See below for upcoming Big Wreck tour dates.

“It’s a great honour for Big Wreck to be Record Store Day Ambassadors,” says Ian Thornley.  “We grew up going to record stores and building our vinyl collections and it means a lot to us to continue the tradition. It’s especially exciting to be putting Albatross out into the world for the first time on vinyl. That record holds a special place.”

The Albatross (Anniversary Edition) is exclusive to Record Store Day and features a Deluxe 2xLP diecut widespine with silver inner sleeves. The vinyl is pressed with a striking colour-in-colour effect with black translucent on the outside and silver on the inside. The Anniversary Edition is based on the original album concept art and is limited to 2500 copies. A Deluxe CD with silverfoil will also be available for purchase, limited to 1000 copies.

To celebrate its first-ever vinyl pressing, the collection features a previously unreleased bonus track, “Fade Away,” three new alternate versions created by award-winning producer and engineer Eric Ratz alongside Ian Thornley, and an exceptional live recording of Albatross, performed Live at Suhr Guitar Factory.

The critically acclaimed 2012 album, Albatross (Anthem Records), made a powerful impact upon release, debuting at #5 on Canada’s Top 200 SoundScan chart and reaching #25 on the US Billboard HeatSeekers chart. The title track, “Albatross”, dominated Canadian airwaves as the most-played radio song of the year, holding the #1 spot for six consecutive weeks and becoming the band’s first-ever #1 radio single. Follow-up hits “Wolves” and “A Million Days” also soared up the charts, with “Wolves” breaking into the Top 5 and both tracks landing in the Top 10.

“Albatross is a collection of beautifully crafted songs showcasing the enormously diverse songwriting and stunning guitar arrangements from Ian Thornley,” says Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Alex Lifeson. “He is one of the most innovative guitarists I have ever heard and clearly a dynamic vocalist of extraordinary power.  I love this album.”

Led by Toronto singer/songwriter/guitarist Ian Thornley, Big Wreck exploded onto the music scene in 1997 with their debut album In Loving Memory Of…, which achieved Double Platinum status and featured hit singles like “That Song,” (Platinum-certified), “Blown Wide Open,” and “The Oaf.” Following a brief hiatus from 2002 to 2010, the band made a triumphant return with the #1 single “Albatross,” and its Gold-certified album of the same name.

Over the years, Big Wreck has built an enduring legacy with a robust catalog, including Ghosts (2014), whose title track is Gold-certified, Grace Street (2017), …But For the Sun (2019), 7 (2021), and their most recent 2023 album, Pages, featuring the hit single “Bail Out.”

The band’s impressive achievements include a Double Platinum debut album (In Loving Memory Of…), a Gold album (Albatross), and multiple Platinum singles (“Albatross” and “That Song”). With a dedicated fanbase worldwide, Big Wreck continues to captivate audiences with their powerhouse performances and timeless music. 

WATCH THE RECORD STORE DAY AMBASSADOR ANNOUNCEMENT HERE

“The Record Store Day Canada Ambassadors for 2025 are Big Wreck and to say we are excited would be an understatement,” says Ryan Kerr from Record Store Day Canada. “ We are working with the band to release  the deluxe version of Albatross, featuring live and unreleased music exclusive to Record Store Day.  It’s an unbelievable honour being able to collaborate with this  iconic Canadian band – fans will be super thrilled with this one!” 

Albatross (Anniversary Edition) Track List
SIDE A:
01. Head Together
02. A Million Days
03. Wolves
04. Albatross

SIDE B:
05. Glass Room
06. All is Fair
07. Control
08. Rest of the World

SIDE C:
9. You Caught My Eye
10. Do What You Will
11. Time
12. Wolves (Alternate Version)

SIDE D:
13. Albatross (Alternate Version)
14. A Million Days (Alternate Version)
15. Fade Away (Bonus Track)
16. Albatross (Live at Suhr Guitar Factory)

Upcoming Tour Dates
03-07 – Niagara, ON – OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
03-08 – Windsor, ON – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
04-04 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
04-05 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
04-07 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
04-09 to 04-13 – Miami-Bahamas – Creed Cruise ’99
05-31 – Fergus, ON – Meadows Music Festival

Past Canadian Ambassadors include The Tragically Hip, Triumph, The Sheepdogs, Our Lady Peace and globally, Taylor Swift and Pearl Jam have held the title – among others.

Record Store Day Canada thanks the following sponsors:
Return to Analog Records, Warner Music, Microforum Pressing, Sony Music Canada, Universal Music Canada, Audio-Technica Canada, Megaforce Records, Unidisc Music, Aquarius Records, Tacca Musique, Vans Off the Wall, AMS All Media Supply, Redeye Distribution, The Orchard, Sing, Edifier, Amped Distribution, Merch in Motion, Idla, ADA.

RSDC Media Inquiries:
Listen Harder Music Publicity | Cristina Fernandes | cristina@listenharder.com 

RSDC General Inquiries: 
Operations Manager, Record Store Day Canada | Ryan Kerr | ryan@recordstoredaycanada.ca