You Crazy Dreamers

First of all don’t tell Justin Rutledge he sounds like Ryan Adams, He hates it. However, there is no getting away from the fact that he sometimes does, Perhaps not vocally but musically? Yes, for sure. That should be where the comparisons stop though. Firstly Mr Rutledge is from Toronto, Canada and has been making big waves over there as well as a growing fan base here in the U.K. He has that uncanny knack of making music that sounds so sweet and joyful but when you read his Lyrics you realise how dark he can be and you kind of feel guilty that you are tapping your foot along to it. Uncut magazine described him as the ‘Master of gothic understatement’ which is pretty much spot on. For example, on the song ‘The suffering of Pepe O’malley (part iv)’ he sings about a world where the death of Poetry and art is imminent ! It may sound strange but listen to the mp3 i’ve uploaded and hear for yourself, a beautiful song with superb lyrics, ending with screaming horns and haunting piano which, in the middle of an album that is often simple country chords more akin to Dolly Parton,George Jones and the like, comes as a pleasant surprise.Taken from the album ‘The devil on a bench in Stanley Park‘ it was one of my most played albums of last year and still so far this one. There really isn’t a bad song on this album. I predict massive things from him and he could be the artist to bring the sound of Alt-country much more to the mainstream.Apparently at his gig in Brighton recently ( a gig i could not attend sadly) he already had Girls screaming at him, always a good sign that stardom Beckons i think I cannot rave about this guy enough and i hope after you have listened to the tracks posted you will go out and buy everything he has ever done, including his previous album ‘No never alone’ and you will do the same.

Peace.