Dom Daley

Settle down readers dim that light because old Rags is clearing his throat and with his newly assembled comrades he’s gonna take you on a journey along his story highway – so buckle up folks it’s gonna be the ride of your lives.

There are many things that puzzle me like how does gravity work? Why does the bread land butter side down and how the fuck Rags isn’t a household name in this God forsaken industry?

After knocking out three albums in three years with his beat combo Role Models he’s back in the room with this- something of a debut solo record Hell its got his name on the sleeve, of course, it’s a solo album.  Songs that didn’t quite fit the Role Models remit but most certainly needed to be heard.

Had this record not been recorded then I’m sorry folks that would have been a travesty a tragedy even and I’m not for a second joking around.  Once you get stuck into this album – time will be an irrelevance and you’ll have a bunch of your new favourite songs.  You’re gonna laugh and maybe even wipe some of that stuff that falls from your eyes when watching Lassie because this is the work of a man and a band so on top of their game it’s nuts.

With something of a gentile opener ‘To The Sea’ is just a couple of guys playing acoustic and electric guitars as they harmonise you know the deal just like the good ones used to back in the day y’know those Don and Phil boys – that kinda deal. It does build but in keeping with the tempo and it never gets ahead of itself or reveals its hand too early as the key being able to hold everyone nicely in place as you the listener gets as comfortable as possible.

‘That World’ has some guitar breaks that wouldn’t sound out of place nestled in the best work of Peter Buck or Dave Pirner (I’m not even joking) with some fantastic twists like Johnny Marr always throws in his work but it’s all wrapped up nicely around a great Rags tale Take a bow Gaff you nail with such empathy.

I wouldn’t like to say that the album reaches an unassailable peak this early but ‘Your Distance’ is a stunning piece of writing from the intense lyrics to the playing of the band this is easily Rags finest three minutes and twenty-five seconds of songwriting and the backing vocals give me chills even after the one hundredth play.  I might be accused of over-hyping records and I admit to getting carried away (who doesn’t? Isn’t that what music is supposed to do?). Trust me,  I’ve had these songs in my possession for months and I promise you I simply can’t get enough of it and I make no apologies for ‘bigging’ it up or going overboard.   when you have to say it like it is then just let it out so here it is guys consider this me letting it out!

The title track is a bright song that has Kit Swing on fire with her vocals and the arrangement lifts it ten feet tall as Rags holds his own and manages to raise a smile with some great lyrics.  Feel free to punch the air rocky style once you put down the tennis racket after playing air guitar to Gaffs (Michael Gaffney) great solo.

Onto ‘Lose With Me’ what might well be seen as a distant relative to some 80’s /90’s Americana juggernauts like…Nah I’m not naming them this stands shoulder to shoulder with them.  This is the sound of a band having an absolute blast working with some superb songs and running with it giving it everything they have and the final mix is the pay off as we all get to hear it.

To show that Rags can fish out a pair of glitter bellbottoms and paint his face like Marc did as ‘Scotty Thompson’ sounds like Mott The Hoople and Roxy Music stumbling in at sunrise with the keys to Elton’s Roller and having no idea how that happened.

Settle back down kids and pour yourself another glass because Rags has sat on the rocking chair and is opening up his big book of stories as ‘Story Highway’ unfolds and again you can feel your face resting into the smile because it’s another shade as his brush sweeps over yet more quality songwriting.

Me I might never measure up for that guitar-shaped swimming pool  I was going to build but you know what? Give me a record as complete as this any day of the week. ‘Heart Souvenir’ has some great keyboards holding this one to book as Simon Maxwell, Andy Brook, Ricky McGuire, Gaff, and Kris Rodgers all play with great sympathy but without their deft touches and light and shade, something would be missing.

Say it quietly but Rags has surpassed himself here and these songs show that he has so much talent and such a great ear for a song and with a little help from his friends has written played and arranged the years finest album. Oh sure he also manages to sing his heart out as well and he’s most definitely taken his music to places he’s not been before and sounded accomplished and capable with songs that are rich in depth, feeling and above all quality. ol’ Rags has shone his light into corners of music that can often be dark and cold but not this. Warm- engaging – uplifting and without a doubt his finest work so far.

There’s still the upbeat ‘Later Than it Is’ to underline what’s gone before it and to add that confident exclamation mark before we ride off into the sunset happy to know that we are here and we get to hear this great music.  It only leaves the squeezebox on ‘Easy’ to show that this is anything but, but in the hands of professionals, it certainly sounds it.

 Be smug – Be happy – spread the word Rich Ragany & The Digressions have turned in one hell of an album that’ll inspire you and make you believe that great music is out there and you want some and this is the proof.

Hey Rags before you decide on where to go next let’s take …Like We’ll Never Make It… and get as many people as possible to jump on board and hear these songs because they deserve to be heard make no mistake about that.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/170406000538729/

pledge

Once upon a time – and not that long ago actually – many within the music industry and even fans held the belief that “girls can’t rock”. The notion that a group of women could unleash explosive rock ‘n roll was unthinkable to many. It has been only a little over forty years since The Runaways changed the music landscape, and in 2018, ‘grrls’ in rock are back blasting up the music scene like never before. These four women are well acquainted with the history of women in rock, and this comes out through their music. Their years of being in different bands mean they are each able to bring something to the table for us to deliciously dine on.

 

Having already built a devoted fan base around the globe, they’ve have recently released their first ever 7″ as a collaboration with Alternative Tentacles Records and Dirty Water Records USA. They’ve also just reissue of their twin debut 10″ EP’s; melted in full-bloom on a spectacular slab of of 12″ pink splattered vinyl.

THE DARTS (US) TOUR DATES W/ THE DAMNED 

WED 17 OCTOBER

Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA, US

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THU 18 OCTOBER

Irving Plaza New York, NY, US

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FRI 19 OCTOBERThe Stone Pony Asbury Park, NJ, US

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SAT 20 OCTOBERBlack Cat Washington, DC, US

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SUN 21 OCTOBERTheater of the Living Arts Philadelphia, PA, US

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THU 25 OCTOBERGothic Theatre Englewood, CO, US

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FRI 26 OCTOBERThe Depot Salt Lake City, UT, US

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SAT 27 OCTOBERHouse of Blues – Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV, US

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SUN 28 OCTOBER

Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ, US

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WED 31 OCTOBER

Regency Theater San Francisco, CA, US

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THU 1 NOVEMBERThe Catalyst Santa Cruz, CA, US

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FRI 2 NOVEMBERFonda Theatre Hollywood, CA, US

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SAT 3 NOVEMBERFivePoint Amphitheatre Irvine, CA, US

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Welcome one and all. RPM online.co.uk is a brand new website that we hope will grow into an essential go-to source for your rock ‘n’ roll.  With plenty of familiar faces from all over the internet, we’re here to cover new as well as established bands. You’re welcome to come in and poke around as we grow week by week.  We have some very capable new writers as well as some older hacks bringing a wealth of experience in writing about Rock and Roll.

 

As well as reviews we hope to bring interesting articles over the coming weeks and months along with interviews with some of our favourite bands and people making music we think you should be listening to.  We also hope to bring you some other articles based on music that might be enlightening and interesting as well as giving space to people who certainly deserve it.

Bookmark the place – www.rpmonline.co.uk  and join in on facebook, twitter, and Instagram and if you have any music we should hear or want to join the team get in touch via email – rpmonlinetcb@yahoo.com

& remember – Stay Sick!

 

Turbocharged Rock and Roll writing – because we fucking love it!

Team RPM