Artist: John Ralston
Album: Sorry Vampire
Label: Vagrant
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: October 2nd, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 9.0
Production: 8.0

Upon first hearing Ralston’s debut entitled, Needle Bed, I found the record to be impactuful yet rather sparse and almost hollow at times. His follow up, Sorry Vampire sits on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. This intensely layered and meticulously crafted record is truly something to behold. The somber, swaying, gloomy melodies lend the perfect audio-backdrop for the commonly gray fall weather. Each track is its own intricate and developed work of art. I find it hard to imagine how Ralston will follow this up or how these songs will be preformed live. I look forward to finding out those answers in the not too distant future. This is truly a record that requires a good pair of headphones and an open mind.

John Ralston’s sophomore effort, Sorry Vampire landed in great positions all over Billboard. Number #8 on the “Alternative New Artist” chart, #20 on the “Heatseekers” chart, and lastly #45 on “Independent Albums” chart.

The song “Ghetto Tested”, appearing on John Ralston’s new album Sorry Vampire, was MP3 of the day on Spinner.com and is now available on myspace.com. Head to myspace and give it a listen. Sorry Vampire hits stores on 10/2.

The Early November will hit the road this November providing main support for headliner New Found Glory. The bill also includes Cartel, Hit The Lights, Limbeck, and John Ralston on select dates. The tour will kick off October 4th and wrap 35 dates later in Boston MA (dates below). The Early November also plan a two-week headlining tour beginning September 15th (dates below, more to come). The line-up includes label-mates Steel Train as well as Valencia and Pete Nischt.

The Early November headlining tour with Steel Train, Valencia, and Pete Nischt.

John Ralston has announced he will embark on a summer tour through the U.S. beginning August 16th. The tour will kick off in Houston, TX in support of Ralston’s Vagrant Records debut Needle Bed, released June 6th, 2006.

Currently Ralston is on the road playing guitar in Dashboard Confessional, and is performing “Gone, Gone, Gone,� during the band’s set on this tour. He will be revisiting many of the cities he has been to in July and August, playing intimate sets at smaller venues, and will share the stage with The New Amsterdams, Brandtson, and New Found Glory on select dates.

Dashboard Confessional w/ special guests City & Colour and John Ralston
June 30th, 2006
Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto, ON

First things first: NOT the ideal venue for this show. This music deserves to be coddled. To be listened to in a sound acoustic environment with great reverberation. Not a place with concrete walls.

However, the show was popular and therefor, it was held at a larger venue.