Arrestingly Special
James N. Perlman | 05/08/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First, as a reference point, please read the Editorial Reviews, as this is spot on and I feel no need to be redundant. Like no other album in quite some time, from its first note, this album draws one in to it's winter by the fire atmosphere. This is not background music. It is music to sit back and fall into. Besides the influences mentioned in the editorial review, at times, I hear a bit of James Taylor's tone in Rateliff's vocals although his vocal register reaches lower. There's more than some Greg Brown as well, for those familiar with him. Also, while the sound is not as astonishing as the Trinity Sessions, the feel is much the same in many places. When he does rock out, I hear some M. Ward, Post War. Lovely, yet simple melodies abound. And, while there are more instruments at times, there's more than some Springsteen's Nebraska. Please, don't be misled by the numerous influences listed. Because, just like Springsteen, where the influences were just about every great rocker who preceded him, Rateliff possesses his own distinct voice and sensibility. This guy knows what he is doing! A great album by any standard."