STACK #148 Feb 2017

REVIEWS MUSIC

RYAN ADAMS

Son Volt Notes Of Blue

Rag'n'Bone Man Human

Son Volt were a band at the forefront of the alt-country explosion of the ’90s, born from the break-up of Uncle Tupelo (from which Jeff Tweedy went on to form the beloved Wilco). On this, their eighth album, frontman and songwriterJay Farrar explores the blues – more specifically, traditional folk blues and in particular the unique and haunting tunings of Mississippi Fred McDowell, Skip James and Nick Drake. Farrar’s distinctive, spellbinding vocals and poetic lyrics are the essence of this band, along with their country-rock sounds. Coupled with this newly- travelled direction, it doesn’t get much better. (ThirtyTigers/CookingVinyl) Denise Hylands

Even if you don't recognise his name, this fella has been

permeating your radio waves ever since he dropped this release's titular single late last year. No, it’s not The Killers, it’s Rory Graham – better known as Rag’n’Bone Man. Human is his debut album, and is jam-packed full of reverberating soul. From the beloved title track down to the sultry beats in Love You Any Less , Rag’n’Bone Man’s debut release is a genuine journey of self, and one that you’ll want to take with him. You can’t say no to a voice as beautifully soothing as this Englishman’s, especially when he’s belting truths like “Don’t ask my opinion, don’t ask me to lie, then beg for forgiveness for making you cry.” (Sony) Alesha Kolbe

Although he has slowed down a little of late, Ryan Adams is still so prolific that this month’s Prisoner will be his 16th album since his debut in 2000 – and that’s what makes it so tricky to compile a shortlist of essentials. Although he’s never made a truly bad album, even Adams’ very best LPs could have benefited from a little judicious editing.Then there is eclecticism: Americana fans will naturally gravitate to his more overtly country albums, while others will prefer his more recent rock/ pop outings. Either way, every home should have at least one Ryan Adams album, so here’s where we think you should start...

Heartbreaker (2000) His Whiskeytown albums marked Adams as a talent to watch, but his stunning solo debut confirmed that he was something special. From irrepressible stompers like To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) and Shakedown On 9th Street to haunting country tearjerkers such as Come Pick Me Up and Oh My Sweet Carolina (featuring Emmylou Harris), Heartbreaker remains one of the best Americana albums of all time. Gold (2001) This is the one that should have made him a mainstream star. The country influences are still discernible, but

there's an almost Springsteen-ish swagger to tracks such as NewYork, NewYork, Firecracker and Nobody Girl , while When The Stars Go Blue , Wild Flowers and Sylvia Plath are among the most affecting ballads Adams has written. If you’re wary of country music, then this is the Adams album to own. Easy Tiger (2008) After a maddeningly eclectic trio of albums in 2005, Adams wisely reined in his more extreme creative impulses for this accomplished set, which recalls the more mainstream sounds of Gold . Easy Tiger strikes a neat balance between country – stand-outs include the Sheryl Crow duet Two and the bluegrass-flavoured Pearls On A String – and blue collar rock ( Goodnight Rose , Halloweenhead ). Live At Carnegie Hall (2016) In the absence of a Greatest Hits set, this laidback collection offers the best introduction to the wonders of Ryan’s catalogue (although note that it’s an entirely acoustic affair). If possible, seek out the 40-track plus deluxe edition, which includes a lovely take on Avenues from his Whiskeytown days, and a cover of Bob Mould’s Black Sheets Of Rain ; his in-between banter is very funny, too. And also... If you want to go back to Ryan’s roots, check out his Whiskeytown albums: Stranger’s Almanac (1997) made his name but Pneumonia (2001) is even better, despite a troubled release history. If you prefer him in rock mode, look for new wave-ish Rock N Roll (2003) or his bizarre metal/punk hybrid Orion (2010), while Jacksonville City Nights (2005) – recorded with his band The Cardinals – is a trad country delight. His affectionate track-by-track remake of Taylor Swift’s blockbuster 1989 (2015) is also well worth a listen. Words John Ferguson

The Franklin Electric Blue Ceilings Blue Ceilings has taken The

Holy Holy Paint Paint feels especially

Franklin Electric’s bittersweet but undecorated Mumford & Sons vibe and eagerly pushed it into a wistful, melancholy territory – their soundscape has grown to enormous proportions. To use an electrical comparison: their first album is simple, not unlike the exercise in primary school where you power a light bulb with a single battery. The newest addition to their catalogue however resembles the complex arrangement of a circuit board, powering something agonisingly beautiful and sophisticated. The band still hold their folk-pop roots close to their hearts, but this ambient new spin gives them a smoother, more vibrant edge. (Indica) Savannah Douglas

appropriate as the title for Holy Holy's second album. It's an artful collection of songs that draw from the everyday to create compelling portraits and landscapes. Quiet reveries of quotidian bliss, the silent struggles and victories of our internal lives, and the contradictions of our fragmentary identities are all captured in vivid tones. Holy Holy are skilled lyricists and musicians, exploring universal questions of how we relate to ourselves and others; their blues, rock, and electronic- imbued tracks are layered with poetic detail, revealing more with each listen. (Sony) SimonWinkler

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