Rocky Votolato - The Brag & Cuss

Genre country Publisher Barsuk Records External Links Official Rocky Votolato Website Official Barsuk Records

Rocky Vololato grew up in a tiny Texas town with a bad ass, Harley riding, bike gang daddy with the whiskey drenched sounds of Country Music. By the time Rocky was ready for High School his mom moved the family to Seattle where Rocky came to like Punk tunes the likes of Fugazi and such. This more rock influenced sound showed through in his old band Waxwing. After going solo his sound began to shift towards Americana/Country/Folk and so forth landing him on his 5th solo release with this sound fully realized.

First impressions superficially hint towards what I may experience on this recording. I received the songs as files so; I had no artwork to hint at what may be ahead. Rocky's name made me think of, at first, a goofball & flamboyant character in the vein of El Vez, a Mexican Elvis Presley impersonator that puts on a wacky annual X-mas show with wild covers (such as David Bowie songs). The song titles quickly shifted me to think of indie-rock with a country twist. I was right. The vocals instantly brought Britt Daniel of Spoon (also from Texas), Mark Kozelek of a happier Red House Painters and even Kurt Cobain to mind. I pictured the album cover to feature something in nature, I found the art on Rocky's website and I was right. The cover art features Rocky simply standing in front of an old tree, possibly like one near his old home in Texas. This can't be a pretentious record I thought.

Right away, the music gently expresses a very Americana sound far from any Punk influences. The album length, as well as the songs, are of the classic 60's era albums, short and to the point. Slightly upbeat and often bittersweet reminisces of lazy summer afternoons; an old girlfriend and growing up in the country prevail throughout. Hammond organ, banjo, accordion, harmonica and acoustic guitar truly confirm Rocky's Folk/Country intention for this album.

Images from an old front porch of open fields with distant farmhouses and tree lines give warmth as does the sunset and a gentle breeze of late summer. A road trip to visit an old friend and talk about the days of growing up comes to mind. Songs to make one miss the innocence of childhood in a tiny farm town.

This is a truly down-to-earth experience with no surprises and only a few up-tempo tracks. It is obvious that Rocky could care less about being innovative or artsy. It shows and that's just fine.