Barsuk, 2006
Makers is Seattle-based Rocky Votolato's latest album, and, as one would expect, supposing foreknowledge of the man's catalog, is remarkably mellow and an overall easy -- yet no less important or enlightening -- listening experience that Votolato has, in the past, showed a strong propensity towards.
The name Votolato conjures up different things for different people -- many initially recall this man and his wonderful music on an acoustic guitar, but others will recall Cody Votolato, guitarist for Blood Brothers, and Sonny Votolato, guitarist for Slender Means. Ultimately, this family of guitarists is remarkable, Rocky being no exception.
"The Night's Disguise," while not a total stylistic deviation from the whole of the album, is an utterly intriguing track; Votolato's voice is complemented well by some sort of shaken percussion instrument -- maracas or egg shakers, no doubt -- and a beautiful lead guitar. Other notable tracks include -- but are by no means limited to -- "Portland is Leaving," which features Votolato on harmonica and sampled party noise, and the travelling song "Goldfield," which moves along like a freight train might: steadily.
Rocky Votolato is well known for not only his mellow fingerpicking and belted vocals, but also his unique lyric writing. An excellent example of this is in the seemingly bizarre metaphor of "Tinfoil Hats"
"He reminded me that the only way to
Keep aliens from reading your mind
Is to wear a tinfoil hat friend and wear it all the time."
Votolato demonstrates his unique ability to craft meaningful and memorable pieces in a huge way with Makers -- these twelve tracks that make up his latest album are not only what would you expect from a talented songwriter, but they are what you would expect from a heavily experienced, well-lived song-writer -- which Rocky Votolato no doubt is.