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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhammo! Look who\u2019s back with a new shiny spinning disc of musical meanderings for your perusal. If you read the hallowed pages of Uber Rock back in the day, you’ll probably be aware of the name Rich Ragany. Affectionally known as Rags to all and sundry, you may remember him from such class acts as The Loyalties and The Role Models, and more recently with his band The Digressions. Well, the Calgary born and New York bred singer\/songwriter, who has lived in London for enough years now to be considered a local, has cast aside his trusty telecaster, strapped on an acoustic guitar and he’s riding that steel horse into town all on his lonesome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don’t worry, Rags hasn’t gone all Bon Jovi on us just yet, but his debut solo album \u2018You Can Get Dark With Me\u2019 is a more stripped-back, singer\/songwriter affair than his previous works. On offer we have 10 tracks recorded in various settings, including his own bathroom! Produced by Andy Brooke and Russell Broom and featuring Ken Mochikoshi-Horne of The Bronx playing guitar on first single \u2018A Pleasant Fiction\u2019, as well as fellow digression Kit Swing providing backing vocals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opener \u2018Empty and Free\u2019 sets the scene nicely. This is the sounds of The Lords Of The New Church and The Replacements jamming out in some forgotten Tarantino spaghetti western. The vibes are anthemic and upbeat from the off, with a trademark Rags melody that will embed itself right in the brain. Guitar lines jangle and intertwine before the dulcet vocals reverberate through the speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First single \u2018A Pleasant Fiction\u2019 follows. Featuring the guitar talents of The Bronx man Ken Mochikoshi-Horne, it’s an album highlight for sure. The verse creates a certain drama, again the alternative 80\u2019s are strong with this one, I’m getting early Hanoi meets Japan vibes, are you with me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n