Following in the tracks of fellow Canadians such as Neil Young and the Band, Blue Rodeo can teach those of us south of the border something about our own music. Diamond Mine, the quintet's second album, reverberates with the band members' extensive knowledge of American pop. Guitarists and songwriters Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor invest their tunes and their performances with a wry spunkiness that counters the often bitter resignation of their lyrics. Their backwoods harmonies are as durable as the Louvin Brothers and as up-to-date as those of Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd.

This is not to say that Blue Rodeo can't get agitated, with explosive results. "God and Country" is a clenched-teeth put-down of jingoism in general and Oliver North in particular.

What matters most about Diamond Mine is the maturity and intelligence with which Blue Rodeo constructs its varied songs: Almost every track expands everyday rock-song concerns with sly wit. This is one import from the north we should welcome with open arms. (RS 553)

JIMMY GUTERMAN