Artist: Chuck Ragan
Release: Till Midnight
Release Date: 24th March 2014
Chuck Ragan is one of my all time musical idols. Be it his punk rock years in the legendary Hot Water Music or his folk troubadour years of which we are in now, this man is a God to me so you can imagine how excited I was to have his new album ‘Till Midnight’ drop into my inbox (thanks Rhian).
‘Till Midnight’ is 10 songs of honest, beautiful songs of love and redemption delivered in a way only Chuck Ragan can do. The man has a skill at crafting songs that feel personal to you the listener, you can somehow relate to each word he roars. He is backed here by his long time live combo the Camaraderie for the first time on his solo records, made up of violins, guitar, steel pan and more they help bring an authenticity to each song of true Americana/Folk. You can tell straight from the off and opening track ‘Something May Catch Fire’ the strength of this addition. ‘Vagabond’ is the first stand out track that drags you in. A track which talks about the life he has chosen, how he knows that sometimes he feels a little lost but it’s the life he has chosen and he is fine with that.
This kind of subject matter runs the course of the record and although it may seem like a sad subject matter, Ragan delivers it in a way that makes it seem romantic. Above all though this is an album of pure love songs, the love of having, the love of losing, the love of living. Even the songs where there is an admission of losing something or making a mistake it still sounds like they are delivered with a knowing smile, with no regret for what has happened. More a thanks that it has happened and etched its way into the songs soul.
Songs like ‘Non Typical’ and ‘Whistleblowers Song’ Chuck Ragan shows the ferocity of his voice, it’s where the true charm of all the songs lay. He has the voice of a man who has smoked and drank many a night away. A gruffness drenched in experience and stories you could listen to for hours. This is non more evident than in the melancholy tones of ‘Wake With You’ the most downbeat number on the record. ‘Bedroom Lullaby’ on the other hand is simply the best song I have heard thus far in 2014.
All in all this is a career best for Chuck Ragan. 10 songs and not a weak one in sight, the music world needs artists like Ragan a true everyman with real experiences and a story to tell and lets face facts, who doesn’t love a good ol’ love song. Wonderful. Buy it. When he tours go see him. Then go buy his entire back catalogue. You will not regret it.
9/10
