Gregory Robson
02/06/10, 11:53 AM
Luke Franks or the Federalists - The Way We Ran
Record Label: Talking House Records
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2009
Who?
Luke Franks is a San Francisco musician influenced by the likes of Donavon Frankreiter, G. Love and Special Sauce, Incubus and Stevie Wonder. With his band The Federalists, this SXSW veteran attempts classic-rock tinged alt-country. The group's third album (and Frank's sixth overall) The Way We Ran was recorded at San Francisco's Talking House Studios with Paul Ruxton.
How is it?
Pretty interesting. A cornucopia of of indie sounds and alt. country presence, the music of the Federalists is steeped with nuanced melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics. Equal parts ruminative, intimate and poignant, Franks sings with a husky baritone not unlike a middle-aged Johnny Cash. Though it's a bit exhausting (15 songs), The Way We Ran does have its fair share of triumphant moments. "Over, it's Over," is a jangly mid-tempo arrangement that sounds not unlike a b-side of The Byrds or The Eagles. Bolstered by a feathery chorus and a lilting melody it's a perfect elucidation of Luke Franks' imminent potential. Other notable cuts include the jazzy "Liar's Choir," the sun-splashed "Up All Night," the Allman Brothers-esque "Rest in Our Rage," and the plaintive penultimate cut "I'm Not Letting You Go."
Franks' strongest attributes are that each track is carefully measured, acutely self-aware, evocative and unmistakably personal. There's an equal amount of 70s folk and 80s R&B that meld well with the warm textures of his swerving rockers and intimate ballads. For all his charms though, it's his idiosyncratic crooning that seems most assured to carry him forward. Equal parts timeless, spellbinding and accessible, this is a sturdy collection of lingering vocals and rich rhythms.
This son of a pastor has already self-released six albums and an EP before the age of 25 and it's that tireless work ethic that makes this disc sound so effortless. With a firm grasp on writing provocative, Midwestern roots-rock arrangements, he certainly has a limitless future ahead of him. And with a disc this eclectic, there's no telling where this road may eventually end up.
1. Let's Sell Out
2. Over, It's Over
3. Benjamin and Bonnie
4. Stormin'
5. Liar's Choir
6. Quiet Man
7. Up All Night
8. The Way We Ran
9. The Olympians
10. Solo
11. 20th Century Sabateur
12. Rest in Our Rage
13. Aeroplane
14. I"m Not Letting You Go
15. Georgia
Luke Franks - Vocals, Guitar
Jason Roysdon - Guitar
Ruben Rios - Drums
Aaron Schmidt - Bass
Midlake, Fleet Foxes, Wilco, Spoon
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thefederalists)
Website (http://www.lukefranks.com)
Record Label: Talking House Records
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2009
Who?
Luke Franks is a San Francisco musician influenced by the likes of Donavon Frankreiter, G. Love and Special Sauce, Incubus and Stevie Wonder. With his band The Federalists, this SXSW veteran attempts classic-rock tinged alt-country. The group's third album (and Frank's sixth overall) The Way We Ran was recorded at San Francisco's Talking House Studios with Paul Ruxton.
How is it?
Pretty interesting. A cornucopia of of indie sounds and alt. country presence, the music of the Federalists is steeped with nuanced melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics. Equal parts ruminative, intimate and poignant, Franks sings with a husky baritone not unlike a middle-aged Johnny Cash. Though it's a bit exhausting (15 songs), The Way We Ran does have its fair share of triumphant moments. "Over, it's Over," is a jangly mid-tempo arrangement that sounds not unlike a b-side of The Byrds or The Eagles. Bolstered by a feathery chorus and a lilting melody it's a perfect elucidation of Luke Franks' imminent potential. Other notable cuts include the jazzy "Liar's Choir," the sun-splashed "Up All Night," the Allman Brothers-esque "Rest in Our Rage," and the plaintive penultimate cut "I'm Not Letting You Go."
Franks' strongest attributes are that each track is carefully measured, acutely self-aware, evocative and unmistakably personal. There's an equal amount of 70s folk and 80s R&B that meld well with the warm textures of his swerving rockers and intimate ballads. For all his charms though, it's his idiosyncratic crooning that seems most assured to carry him forward. Equal parts timeless, spellbinding and accessible, this is a sturdy collection of lingering vocals and rich rhythms.
This son of a pastor has already self-released six albums and an EP before the age of 25 and it's that tireless work ethic that makes this disc sound so effortless. With a firm grasp on writing provocative, Midwestern roots-rock arrangements, he certainly has a limitless future ahead of him. And with a disc this eclectic, there's no telling where this road may eventually end up.
1. Let's Sell Out
2. Over, It's Over
3. Benjamin and Bonnie
4. Stormin'
5. Liar's Choir
6. Quiet Man
7. Up All Night
8. The Way We Ran
9. The Olympians
10. Solo
11. 20th Century Sabateur
12. Rest in Our Rage
13. Aeroplane
14. I"m Not Letting You Go
15. Georgia
Luke Franks - Vocals, Guitar
Jason Roysdon - Guitar
Ruben Rios - Drums
Aaron Schmidt - Bass
Midlake, Fleet Foxes, Wilco, Spoon
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thefederalists)
Website (http://www.lukefranks.com)