The Courage of Others opens with “Acts of Man” which, in many ways, is representative of the album. The song is British folksy with intricate classical guitar arpeggios and steady drumming. Soft, monotone vocals serve to darken the landscape while the lyrics force the listener away to another sphere — one where the earth and all that grows and runs upon it have been forgotten. A flute appears as the work builds somewhat just before its completion. The influences of Fleetwood Mac and Jethro Tull are unmistakable here. But although the track is solid, it has a strange dullness and throughout it and others on the album, the intended intensity simply doesn’t come through. No significant depth, so important to a piece such as this, ever seems to emerge.
Another song, “Rulers, Ruling All Things” is a case in point. The quiet verse gives way to a thumping, epic chorus: “I only want to be left to my own ways, The rulers of one leaving all things undone, I stood in awe of the whole creations, Gathered among them was the morning, Giving all its rays.” The work is a technically sound bit of prog-rock but one has the sense that the reserved passion found in the vocals is not quite authentic. This makes the buzzing guitar seem more remote than piercing. Midlake frontman Tim Smith has claimed that “Small Mountain” is his favorite. And although its woodsy melody is intriguing, it also has an energy which is far too distant for the listener.
For me, the title track (originally to be a B-side for Van Occupanther) is probably the highlight. Here, the sentiment is haunting but close: “I was always taught to worry about things, All the many things you can’t control.” Intensity slowly assembles as the hypnotic melody transitions, as one of the many uncontrollable things mentioned, into thick layers of sound. It is a good piece. But like the record itself, it would be a stretch to call it first-rate. On the other hand, I will say that the collection of songs on The Courage of Others do seem to evolve somewhat with each listen. And for this this reason alone, I believe the album deserves some attention.
Tracklist:
Acts of Man
Winter Dies
Small Mountain
Core of Nature
Fortune
Rulers, Ruling All Things
Children of the Grounds
Bring Down
The Horn
The Courage of Others
In The Ground
Once when I was a younger man than I am now, my local cd store had me on hands and knees a couple times a week, squinting at album titles while hoping for a special find. One of these times I happened upon One For The Ride by Rocky Votolato’s first band Waxwing. If I was an archaeologist it would be similar to discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun…. eh, maybe not. But it was exciting, and that release made a huge impression on me with it’s unique orchestrations and wonderful musicianship (Rudy Gadjadhar is one amazing drummer), but what took hold of me most were the vocals. Since that time Rocky’s music and I have had time to grow together. With each release I find myself eager to hear what he has created. Unfortunately Waxwing called it quits around 2002, but, and this is a big “but”, from what I hear the guys have gotten back together and are working on new songs -and so the rumors begin. Let’s return to the task at hand, and that is getting the point across to you, dear readers, that True Devotion finds Rocky Votolato in his finest form. Like a race horse trained solely for the purpose of winning the big prize, so does Rocky Votolato spend months and years, pouring his heart out into songs that once released will hopefully have a huge impact on his fans. Read the full story
If you have seen Akron/Family recently, you have likely heard them close an evening with the unreleased song “Woody Guthrie’s America.” It is an immediately familiar song, one that often evolves into an audience sing-along continuing after the band has exited the stage. Over the past year the band has collected over 20 versions of the song sung, stomped, and videotaped by friends, and is now looking to open the doors of the project and encourage all to contribute. All contributors are welcomed to their headlining shows for free!
Featuring these great new songs: Alvin Band “Mantis Preying Ate Single”
Beach House “Norway”
CFCF “Monolith”
The Dead Trees “Rayna (demo)”
Fredrik “Locked in the Basement”
Furcast “Greyls Old”
Holly Miranda “Forest Green Oh Forest Green”
Letting Up Despite Our Faults “In Steps”
Mean Creek “(OrTheUnderground)”
Midnight Masses “Walk On Water”
Miracles of Modern Science “Bossa Supernova”
Summer Dregs “Bones”
Tape Deck Mountain “On My Honor”
Tape Deck Mountain “Scantron (remix)
Technoir MA “Roundabout”
The New Loud “Dont Dance”
Toro Y Moi “Blessa”
Noah and the Whalereleased their new album ‘The First Day Of Spring’ on October 6th of this year. Already the album has become our go-to-album (you know when you have an album that somehow finds itself in every cd player you have? Exactly.). And now we would like to offer you a first viewingof their video for their song with the same name as the album “The First Day Of Spring”. Filmed live at Cafe De La Danse.
Featuring these great new songs:
A Sunny Day In Glasgow “Failure”
Atlas Sound “Doctor (Five Discs Cover)”
Bluebrain “Bring Out Your Dead”
Jasone Boesel “Hand Of God”
Joan Of Arc “Friend In Common”
Josh Ottum “Like the Season, it’s Alright Single”
LoneLady “Immaterial”
Midnight Masses “Walk On Water”
Mother Hips “Third Floor Story”
Mother Hips “White Falcon Fuzz”
Pants Yell “Cold Hands”
Princeton “Sadie And Andy”
The Bravery “The Spectator”
The Wooden Sky “Something Hiding For Us in the Night”
The Mercury Program “Arrived Departed”
