Diggin’ like an animal
I’ve written about Chuck Ragan before, but this song is just too good to pass up.
He’s always seemed to do particularly well when working in a collaborative environment; he and Hot Water Music partner Chris Wollard wrote some of the best post-rock and punk ever during their fifteen-odd years of writing. He recently released an entire LP of songs recorded with another great solo artist, Austin Lucas, that steps a bit outside the comfort zone of his recent solo material. His own solo studio LP featured a song from a previous band he was in with Wollard, the twisted back-porch country act Rumbleseat.
This track is from a 7″ single he recorded with Nagel, frontman for the German punk rock band Muff Potter (with whom Ragan already released a split 7″ where they covered each others songs). The a-side relegates Nagel to harmonies and second guitar, working some fantastic harmonies. “No Rubber-Tired Vehicles Beyond This Point” is a beautifully conflicted song about the reflection that happens when you’re stuck in a situation, be it a relationship or just the snow.
The b-side, “Go Breathe,” is a propulsive acoustic number that brings in some electric lead guitar and lets a bit more of Nagel’s voice come through, providing a bit of a harder edge (and I use that in a very relative way).
If you’ve heard any of Ragan’s post-HWM solo material than this release won’t catch you off guard in any way, but I like the direction it takes Ragan’s solo material in. Like the best tracks from Feast or Famine, it flaunts vocal harmonies as the centerpiece, with Chuck’s steady acoustic strumming as the rhythmic base. With only two songs to the album, I really don’t want to give too much away. But with the low cost of mp3s or a physical copy I’d suggest there’s little reason not to purchase it.
Chuck Ragan & Nagel - No Rubber-Tired Vehicles Beyond This Point [3:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadBuy the Snapsot 7″: through Chucks merch site or the Vinyl Collective
iTunes: Has both songs, together!
