The Music Ramble is the monthly music blog of Erik Ritland. The St. Paul, Minnesota journalist and musician is the founder of Rambling On. Learn more about us on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, or our website.
Our third monthly music series spotlights new releases from Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, the Rolling Stone's Keith Richards, and Jack White's The Dead Weather.
David Gilmour
Rattle That Lock (Columbia 9/18/2015)
Essential tracks: "In Any Tongue," "Faces of Stone," "A Boat Lies Waiting"
In 2014 David Gilmour said goodbye to Pink Floyd with The Endless River. The mostly instrumental album prominently featured keyboardist Richard Wright, who died of cancer just a couple years before, and was pieced together from lengthy Division Bell-era jam sessions. Moody and ambitious, it was a fitting final statement from the band.
While The Endless River sounded thoroughly like a Floyd album, Rattle That Lock finds Gilmour branching out into some different territory. The title track is upbeat, dance-y, and fun, something his old band hadn't been since “San Tropez” from their 1971 masterpiece Meddle. Minor key “Faces of Stone” feels like an Irish folk song, “Girl in the Yellow Dress” is straight lounge jazz, and closing “Today” begins with an angelic choir before breaking into a funk/disco sort of thing (really). The experimentation works in a laid back sort of way. At the very least, fans of Floyd from Saucerful of Secrets to Meddle with appreciate his willingness to try new things.
Not that there isn't anything for Pink Floyd fans to love. Moving “In Any Tongue” is reminiscent of, and on par with, late-era Floyd classics like “On the Turning Away” and “High Hopes.” Sad, minor key acoustic verses fade into quiet piano chords that lead into an intense chorus. The anti-war song also features some of Polly Samson’s best, most emotive lyrics:
On the screen the young men die
The children cry in the rubble of their lives
What has he done? God help my son
Hey, stay awhile, I'll stay up
The volume pumped right up is not enough to drown it out
I hear "mama" sounds the same in any tongue
The entire lyrics are as memorable. Not only is this song the best on the album, it's one of the best of 2015 – and of Gilmour's career.
Another highlight is a touching tribute to Richard Wright, "A Boat Lies Waiting." Laid back and reminiscent of Wright's creative work with Floyd in the early '70s, it has more strong lyrics:
What I lost was an ocean
Now I'm drifting through without you
In this sad barcarolle
It rocks you like a cradle
It rocks you to the core
You'll sleep like a baby
As it knocks at Death's door
Musically, wistful piano and slide guitar give it a "Pillow of Winds" feel. It would have fit well on Meddle.
Although the songs jump around sonically, there's a Floyd-ish cohesion to Rattle That Lock. Similar acoustic instrumentals begin and end the album, and the guitar playing, feel, and voice of each song is singularly Gilmour. It might not be a classic, but it's definitely a strong addition to his solo catalog.
Keith Richards
Crosseyed Heart (Republic 9/18/2015)
Essential tracks: "Heartstopper," "Something for Nothing," "Goodnight Irene," "Lover's Plea"
Keith Richards is alive, well, and still making new music. Crosseyed Heart is a solid, diverse addition to his solo catalog.
"Heartstopper," "Amnesia," and "Trouble" are the most Stones-y tracks, loping along in a customary Keith Richards sort of way. The white soul of "Nothing on Me” and “Suspicious" are surprisingly touching. His sense of subtlety has improved with age, and his grizzled, weathered voice gives the performances extra weight. Fun Warren Zevon homage “Something for Nothing” is lovingly (and fittingly) sardonic.
Richards uses the solo album format to branch out a little. Jazzy "Illusion" features a typically sultry guest appearance from Norah Jones, while "Long Overdue" dips into reggae. Folky Leadbelly homage "Goodnight Irene" is sweet and sincere, and the opening title track pays tribute to the delta blues that Richards absorbed as a kid. The eclectic mix keeps the album interesting.
He’s still most comfortable with what he's used to, though, and that's not a bad thing. "Blues in the Morning" could easily be an outtake from Exile on Main Street. Sweet, melodic “Robbed Blind” and album closer “Lover’s Plea” are tender and soulful in the vein of Stones classics like “I’ve Got the Blues.”
All in all Crosseyed Heart is a fun album. Fans of the Stones will dig it, as will anyone who enjoys organic rock, soul, and blues.
Dead Weather
Dodge and Burn (Third Man 9/25/2015)
Essential track: "Impossible Winner"
If you like...
a) fuzzy, Jack White-ish riffs
b) shout-y, Jack White-ish vocals/"melodies" and
c) easy, not super creative Jack White-ish lyrics
then you'll love Dodge and Burn. Personally, I'm a little bored with it. It's weird how White subsumes his other band members, as even their music, lyrics, and shouted melodies sound like him.
Sure, if you like what Jack White does, Dodge and Burn is an enjoyable album of fuzzed out guitar rock. I'm just sort of bored with it, and am getting impatient for him to reach his full potential. Much less make a masterpiece.
Brooding, darkly melodic album closer "Impossible Winner" is the only song that sounds any different than what surrounds it. Not coincidentally, the piano and string led ballad is easily the best song on the album.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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