Roderick saw my review of Benjamin Tod’s last album on House of Prog and got in touch to see if I would be interesting in hearing his debut, so of course I replied in the affirmative. In 2018 he toured more than 40 states, all alone, all acoustic, and this is what gave him the inspiration to work on his debut. I love how he describes it, as he says this is “a firm handshake to the unsuspecting public with no tricks, no mirrors, just a highly motivated singer songwriter with a sole purpose to properly tell his story. This debut would not exist without the roaring flames of California’s wildfires, nor would it sing without the howling tornadoes of middle Tennessee and the album cover itself was yet another enchanted morning in the deserts of New Mexico. This is what American life might sound like, for Roderick at least.”
For the most part this is a man and his guitar, although there are times when there are strings in the background, or a touch of harmonica, or some piano. What comes through this album is the sheer honesty of the recording, which at different times comes across as classic Bob Dylan and others like Neil Young, as he sings songs that are gentle, and others which are far more direct and passionate. He is able to switch his vocal style to whatever suits the subject and arrangement best, and the impression is that this is mostly a one-take recording with additional touches added later. There is a confidence here which only comes from those who have travelled the land with just a guitar for company, playing the part of the travelling troubadour which used to be the way of paying your dues before reality TV and “talent” shows became the way for many. This is American music, singer-songwriter with elements of Folk and protest, all imbued with passion and “what you see is what you get”. One to discover for fans of this style of music, which sounds as if it still belongs firmly in the Sixties.
Rating: 8/10
