ARTIST: AJ Roach
TITLE: Revelation
LABEL: New Folkstar Records
GENRE: Folk-Rock
TIME: 34:23 min
SIZE: 39,8 MB
RIP DATE: Jul-08-2007
RELEASE DATE: 000-00-0000
WEBSITE: n/a
Track List:
01. Clinch River Blues 02:30
02. Devil May Dance 03:02
03. Fashionistas 03:10
04. Sears & Robuck Suit 03:09
05. Chemicals 04:46
06. Weathervane 03:24
07. Freezing Car 03:02
08. Hazel Blue 03:28
09. Streets Of Omaha 03:04
10. Revelation 03:54
11. Devil Reprise 00:54
Release Notes:
On Dogwood Winter, RoachÆs achingly beautiful debut,
we witnessed the emergence of a startling new
singer-songwriting talent. A heady mix of
traditional mountain themes amidst songs of personal
reflection and remembrance culminated in a record
that was refreshingly honest, deeply personal, and
genuinely authentic. Three years later, Revelation,
the follow-up release follows much the same pattern.
Despite utilising a greater musical palette this
time around û violins, mandochella, Wurlitzer, and
glockenspiel all feature here û nevertheless many of
the same themes are still apparent. The opening
suicide stomper ôClinch River Bluesö reminds me of
Violent Femmes ôCountry Death Songö, not necessarily
sound-wise, more for that spirit of
self-understanding and ultimately, self loathing. A
mountain man born and bred Roach is as honest as
they come. We are saved any artistic showmanship or
egotism, instead we get a clear open window in which
to observe a songwriter absorbed in his art yet
fully aware that around him circulates real life and
all the complexities that comes with it. ôSears And
Roebuck Suitö a stark paean to loss û ôI love you
more than you love youselfö û and the excellent
ôChemicals,ö a heartfelt defence of one manÆs
whiskey dependency, are key tracks here. Yet it is
on the closing track ôRevelationö that really
underlines what Roach is all about. Here is a
musician that, although contemporary and accessible
to any with a penchant for dustbowl Americana,
ultimately comes laden with the baggage of an
Appalachian past that is so deeply rooted in god,
the bottle, and an overpowering acceptance of
binding family ties. All of these themes are touched
upon in some form or another on Revelation, and like
on his debut are like an aural snapshot to a life
that is totally shaped by experience. It makes for
an uneasy listen yet one that rewards immensely.
Roach is undoubtedly a major new voice and one that
I am sure has a lot more great music in him.