Artist: Rocky Votolato
Album: Makers
Label: Barsuk
Purchase: Barsuk
Release Date: January 24, 2006
Overall: 8.9
Lyrics: 8.8
Music: 9
Production: 9
As quoted from Rocky Votolatoâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s onesheet, â┚¬Ã…”Rocky Votolato is a soft-spoken, hard-working 28-year-old father of twoâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬Ã¢”ž¢My dad was in a motorcycle gang based out of Dallas, TX called the Scorpionsâ┚¬Ã‚¦I remember the family trip to the state fair and my dad being handcuffed and taken away because of the pistol he always carried in his beltâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬?â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢
To say the least, Rocky Votolato has had his share of life experiences, most of which occur in his music. After my first time seeing him play in the now re-invented Paradox Theatre in Seattle, I have not stopped supporting and listening to his projects. Touring with bands like The Get Up Kids, Rocky has made his way around the country, â┚¬Ã‹Å“Makersâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ is his third album; The first two released on Second Nature Recordings, and â┚¬Ã‹Å“Makersâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ under license to Barsuk Records.
The first track, â┚¬Ã‹Å“White Daisy Passingâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ is a beautiful and mellow introduction to a very well crafted record. His falsetto background vocals sing â┚¬Ã‹Å“passing white daisies taking turns, all those evenings on the back deck on our first apartment, they mean everything but the wind just carried them off.â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ Rockyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s metaphors are so well put I wouldnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t dare tried to reword them. His voice is soothing, and full; White Daisy Passing is a perfect introduction into his best release yet.
Next is the other single, â┚¬Ã‹Å“Portland Is Leaving.â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ This track reminds me of why I could listen to Mr. Votolato sing for the rest of my life. Harmonica melody and minor chords blend with his insightful lyrics, and often leave me contemplating his messages.
Rocky has taken a good step forward in his song-writing. On Suicide Medicine, some of the songs grabbed you quickly, and pulled you in to listen to the rest of the album. It seems as though he has abandoned the plan of writing the radio single, and stuck to his best formula; Rocky writes songs that require a few plays to understand. His sometimes-depressing topics, speak so honestly that I would think his age would be far past his late twenties. The title track â┚¬Ã‹Å“makersâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ describes the loss of a loved one, or so said metaphorically, and if you remember his last release, the topic is identical to Suicide Medicine. â┚¬Ã‹Å“Wait Out the Daysâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ talks about waiting for death to come. Apparently the human fate is a constant on his mind.
Rocky Votolato has created an album that in my mind should speak for itself. Well I donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t doubt it make take you a few listens to come to the level of appreciation I have, he has again proven to me why he is one of the best solo artists in the music scene today. If you are a fan of angst-filled emo songs about losing your girlfriend, this album is not for you. If you are a fan of heart-felt, honest, and wise folk-rock, you have found your new favorite artist.
Track Listing
1. White Daisy Passing
2. Portland Is Leaving
3. The Night’s Disguise
4. She Was Only In It For The Rain
5. Uppers Aren’t Necessary
6. Wait Out The Days
7. Streetlights
8. Tennessee Train Tracks
9. Goldfield
10. Tin Foil Hats
11. Where We Left Off
12. Makers
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