Search - Richmond Fontaine :: Post to Wire

Post to Wire
Richmond Fontaine
Post to Wire
Genres: Country, Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #1

Working again with engineer Larry Crane at his Jackpot ! Studios (Quasi, Sleater-Kinney, Elliot Smith), Richmond Fontaine teamed p with producer JD Foster (Richard Buckner, Marc Ribot, Damnaitons, Dwight Yoakum) to create ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Richmond Fontaine
Title: Post to Wire
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: El Cortez Records
Release Date: 1/20/2004
Genres: Country, Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Americana, Indie & Lo-Fi, Country Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 678277061224

Synopsis

Album Description
Working again with engineer Larry Crane at his Jackpot ! Studios (Quasi, Sleater-Kinney, Elliot Smith), Richmond Fontaine teamed p with producer JD Foster (Richard Buckner, Marc Ribot, Damnaitons, Dwight Yoakum) to create the most finely distilled album of their nine-year career. The driving acoustic track "The Longer You Wait" kicks off "Post to Wire," the band's fifth record with a tale of a couple on a late night car ride through the Nevada desert. On the title track of "Post to Wire," Richmond Fontaine pulls off something they have never done before: a duet. Lead vocalist Willy Vlautin exchanges verses with the gutsy voiced Deborah Kelly of The Damnations, on an ultra catchy little number reminiscent of the golden days of Motown. One of the country's best songwritners, Willy finds new ways to shine nuances into every song. His writing gains new confidence with every verse. His vision is put to life by the other members of Richmond Fontaine: Paul Brainard on! pedal steel guitar, Dave Harding on bass and Sean Oldham on drums.

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CD Reviews

The real deal...
The Expat | Houston, TX | 09/26/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's not that Richmond Fontaine does anything unique, but that they do it so well. Willy Vlautin's lyrics capture the sadness and beauty in the lives of normal people without sounding trite, while the music accompanies the words with familiar beats and tunes. The band's biggest departure from traditional alt-country is the constant presence of a pedal-steel guitar. This usually works - giving the music the gravity to accompany Vlautin's stories.



Richmond Fontaine is at their best on the album's first two tracks. "The Longer You Wait" paints a remarkably full picture of an estranged couple in only a few lines, while "Barely Losing" accomplishes the same but in showing simple happiness. As for the rest of the album, "Post to Wire" and "Through" would be radio singles in a better world - catchy tunes with accessible and relatively light lyrics. "Polaroid" and "Two Broken Hearts" are sad but strong songs.



Unlike most reviewers here, I don't give 5 stars out very often. "Post to Wire" misses out on a fifth star because of a few missteps where the band strays too far from their strengths by trying to "rock out" or be too moody and mellow. Maybe this works better live (if the band toured more I could tell you), but the album doesn't flow in a way that keeps you from skipping around. Still, two-thirds of the songs here are gems, and it's the best of the many albums I've bought in 2004 so far."
Best in the West
M. Lewis | Auburn,Wa | 11/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing Willie and the gang live several times, this has to be the best album that RF has put out!! Every show is jammed packed and the album features new songs and tales of the adventures that Willie and the gang experience. ALSO CHECK OUT THE ALBUMS BY GRAND CHAMPEEN OUT OF AUSTIN,TEXAS. THEY TOURED W/ RF THIS SUMMER."
Very Good
Ruben A. Gonzalez | England | 05/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Clever and amusing concept having the "Dear Pete" letters peppering this wonderful set of tracks. Post To Wire stands out as the most likable cut, but many others as well. World weary, forlorn, gritty, and occasionally gloomy, but heartfelt songs."