Richie James Follin
Battle
Self-Released
8/10
Few artists have the honor of being able to say the put an album together themselves. Maybe they produced the record, but someone had to distribute the music to all their adoring fans out there. That usually means signing with a label- any label. Not Richie James Follin. Not only did he record the music for his self-produced album Battle, but he also went through the trouble of putting up a website and passing the word via blogs and peer to peer. For a self-made guy, his music is surprisingly easy to tap toes to.
From the gritty guitars of “Roast “to the mellow drums of “Battle,” the album is an eclectic mix of 70’s rock and experimental tracks that are nothing less than lively. Follin’s voice, a cross of Rod Stewart and Jack White, gives the album a haunting, eerie feel. Indeed, the influences of Stewart and the White Stripes are keenly felt throughout the record, as though Follin grinded up pieces of them in a blender and sprinkled them throughout. It’s hard to say where Follin’s Stewart ends and the Jack White in him begins, but either way it doesn’t matter.
The striking part of the record is the way he blends all these influences together. Each track on the album is complementary. Downbeat songs follow upbeat songs follow downbeat songs. It’s as though he is weaving a complex tapestry of notes to create a sound that is smooth and symmetrical. Considering the spare sound of the album, it’s impressive.
Some fans will have a problem with some of the tracks on this record- especially experimental tracks like “Translate.” This comes down to a matter of taste- some feel a song can’t have punch unless it has a throbbing base and a backing guitar. However, most of the electronic tracks on “Battle” aren’t pushovers, and unlike some artists, Follin doesn’t reach for fancy electronics or crazy gimmicks to get his emotions across. Translation: It’s cool enough for jocks to listen to.
Though it may not appeal to purists, for those just looking for a good time, “Battle” is worth the effort.
-Jack Winn