Review: Rocky Votolato – Makers (or) light travels from the radiant sun

RV

I head a Rocky Votolato song the other day on The O.C. and realized that Rocky’s new album Makers has been out for a few weeks and I have yet to post about it. On his third album, Rocky Votolato presents a similar but more stripped-down sound than on his previous two records.

Before going it alone, Rocky fronted the Seattle emo-rock outfit Waxwing in which his brother Cody also played until he joined The Blood Brothers so we knew he had the chops. But this hard-working father of two distinguishes himself from the myriad of other singer-songwriters out there through the sincerity and honesty of his music. His songs are little pieces of country-tinged acoustic Americana played with the attitude and heart of a punk-rocker. His great lyrics never sound contrived and it is hard to imagine that words this raw and that cut straight to the bone can be so poetic.

My wife and I have been enjoying Rocky’s music ever since we saw him live at the Fireside Bowl in 2003. I managed to track down a recording of that show for your listening (dis)pleasure. You can download it here.

Rocky Votolato’s album Makers is out now. It was co-released by Barsuk and Second Nature, where you can also find some of his older releases. RIYL: Steve Earle, Waxwing, Iron & Wine

MP3 | Rocky Votolato – Tennessee Train Tracks Makers
MP3 | Rocky Votolato – Someday You Won’t Be Here Makers

3 Responses

  1. Chad February 11, 2006 at 2:14 PM | | Reply

    This album is easily one of the best released this year so far. My wife and I enjoy it as well!

  2. romain February 12, 2006 at 10:19 AM | | Reply

    Thanks for your comment on my blog. You don’t speak french? I don’t speak english fluently. Anyway, we understand each other through music.

    Thanks for your blog. It’s great.

    Read/listen you soon.

  3.  Anonymous February 16, 2006 at 11:33 PM | | Reply

    do you remember which song of theirs they played on the OC? I’ve been trying to figure it out. thanks.

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