Search - Richmond Fontaine :: Thirteen Cities

A masterpiece

Chris Cowan | UK | 05/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, that much over-used word when the likes of Mojo give 3.5 star reviews to records they call masterpieces. But this is an absolute 5-star record. The best rootsy band in America have astonishingly exceeded their past excellence and delivered their best yet. The stories are intact, but surrounded by a broader range of music and pace. There's none of the Husker-go-country of their earlier records but they rock firmly but gently in parts, strum soulfully in others. But above all, even though it might be a marginally more commercial sound, it's an incredibly warm and human record. Cliché alert and possibly mixed metaphor: but the band seem to inhabit the songs like a warm winter coat, and rarely has music, arrangement, song and performance all come together so snugly.



And it's a grower and grower. Whatever you think 1st listen, by 5th you'll like it twice as much and by 10th you'll love it and repeat-play immediately to the 11th.



I'm struggling to find reference points - it's just great songs, and very American-sounding ones to me a Brit. But think of when already-great bands suddenly gel as a unit and step up a notch, usually with great outside help eg producer, and rooted in a particular place/studio: The Band's 2nd LP, Creedence's Willy and the Poor Boys, London's Calling, QotSA's Songs for the Deaf, Tusk, Exile, Steve Earle's El Corazon, Gentlemen by the Afghan Whigs. Thirteen Cities sits alongside these great records with pride and I hope a touch of deserved arrogance.



Oh and whatever you do don't miss them on tour. They've added Paul Brainard who plays pedal steel and trumpet on their records, and what a difference he makes. They still bar-band rock, and even included their brilliant Husker Du cover, but again have stepped up to sound bigger and broader without losing any of their warmth and charm. Hopefully bigger stages await them, they deserve it.



As the Stooges record is a disappointment, I'd place money on this as record of 07, no contest. The gauntlet is thrown.

"

Another fantastic release from Richmond Fontaine

E. Drake | Reno, NV USA | 06/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Briefly put, Thirteen Cities finds a great balance between the musical style of previous albums (Winnemucca and Post to Wire) and the somber storytelling of The Fitzgerald. Sound quality has also improved markedly over the years. The lyrics represent a fresh batch of stories from another side of America, and the arrangements are creative and unique.

Great album altogether."