ALBUM REVIEW: Love And Lore – Chuck Ragan
For the first time in ten years, CHUCK RAGAN and his wonderfully grizzled voice is back with his brand new solo album, Love And Lore. Having spent the last few years releasing equally excellent music with his band, HOT WATER MUSIC, Ragan has taken a step back from the raucous punk music and delivered a wonderfully sweet solo album that delivers a slice of Americana combined with folk and country to bring Love And Lore to life.
Opening track All In sets the tone of the record instantly. In a song that is completely different to any of Ragan’s work with the likes of HOT WATER MUSIC, it’s a lovely relaxing piece of country music that deals with abandoning apathy, choosing to focus on what makes us happy instead of constantly focusing on the worst aspects of life. It’s a nice relaxing piece of music that speaks to the soul. Wild In Our Ways is one of the more harder sounding tracks on the album, led by a delightful guitar rhythm that is a perfect companion for the vocals. As soon as they kick in, it’s like you’ve been draped in a cosy piece of clothing whilst camping out in the wilderness. Ragan’s voice on this record continues to serve as that giant hug that we all need.
Northern World fits perfectly next to Wild In Our Ways, and almost has a SPRINGSTEEN-ian style to it, particularly around The River part of his career with its reflective style of storytelling throughout the track. Echo The Halls follows suit and almost helps you conjure your own music video on your head. The soothing sound and tones to the track help you to easily imagine driving down long open roads, kicking up sand as the sun beams down on you. It’s a simple, yet delightful song that makes you feel incredibly relaxed.
Around the halfway point of Love And Lore, we get to the track Winter, a song that is hands down the most country sounding track on the record. Throughout the track there is an almost dark and sinister element created through the sounds in both guitars. However, despite the darkness of this track, there is plenty of light to be found. Once again, The River and SPRINGSTEEN inspiration comes into play as it almost feels like a spiritual successor to the song itself.
Aching Hour continues the steel guitar led sounds and sees Ragan’s voice at the top of its game throughout, his vocals are something you’ll never ever be tired of. Waiting Out The Storm proves to be one of the more subtle sounding tracks during the listen, but also sees CHUCK RAGAN embracing his more vulnerable side. The powerful and emotive lyrics (“I’ve been in the hurricane we’ve been in, waiting out the storm”) alongside the simple yet effective guitar are relatable on every level and will easily bring the feels to anyone who listens to it.
As we approach the final stretch of the record, we are treated to the delights of the track that is One More Shot. A fun honky tonk style duet with Paige Overton of PAIGE AND THE OVERTONES. The vocals from both singers are absolutely perfect for this song. The grizzled but warm CHUCK RAGAN delivery compliments Overton’s sweet sounding voice, creating one hell of an ear worm and an utterly delightful chorus to boot, easily becoming one of the album’s finer songs. The penultimate track, Reel My Heart is a stunning ballad song that deals with having to balance your life on the road alongside your family and loved ones. It’s a track where other artists would still be able to sing the song itself, but would no way be able give it the gravitas it has due to the emotion that Ragan’s voice pours into it. The acoustic guitar alongside a simple yet moving string piece just adds to the masterful nature of the track. Hanging On serves as the album’s finale and also completes a perfect and triumphant book end to the record that started with All In. It’s a rousing, fist pumping album closer that reignites a fire within you, helping you focus on all the positives that are still in the world despite what the news says.
There’s no beating around the bush. Love And Lore is a truly excellent album. After ten years, it was one hundred percent worth the wait. If your head is hanging low at the start of this album, you’ll finish the album with your head held high as Ragan’s warm and comforting manner has that feeling you’re getting a hug from an old friend and they’re telling you that everything is going to be alright, there aren’t many artists who can do this but CHUCK RAGAN fits that style just so perfectly. This isn’t an album to be slept on, Love And Lore will make anyone’s day better just from listening to it, by the album’s finish, you’ll be left full of warmth, optimism and happiness.
Rating: 9/10
Love And Lore is out now via Rise Records.
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