Release
date: June 2016 . Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD
Rotgut
– Tracklisting
01
Unapologetic
02
Rotgut
03
Not Everyone Wins A Prize
04
Little Houn Daddy Houn
05
Babelkowa
06
Backstabbed In Backwater
07
The Train Back Home
08
Sincerely Yours
09
Deifendor
10
Cast Out The Crow
11
Winter A Dirge
12
At Long Day's End
Band
Members:
Dee
Calhoun
Review:
Dee
Calhoun has had quite a varied music career over the last 20 plus
years or so. He's been the vocalist of Doom Metal legends Iron Man
for the last 6 years. It's a role that he's excelled in over the last
few Iron Man records with some superb vocal performances especially
on their 2013 album – South Of The Earth.
Now
Dee has released a solo album called Rotgut. An acoustic
Southern/Blues/Country/Doom kind of album. Rotgut has a similar vibe
to Scott Kelly and Wino's recent solo albums. So if you're a fan of
those kind of albums then Rotgut will speak volumes to you.
The
album can be a very hard album to listen to at times especially with
the bleak subject matters that Dee covers. The lyrical content is
bleak but one that also offers moments of hope. A very hard thing to
do but Dee pulls this off with style and grace. Songs such as
Unapologetic, Rotgut, Backstabbed in Backwater, Cast Out The Crow and
At Long Day's End show that Dee has a keen eye for Americana based
melodies especially when mixed with elements of Folk, Southern Rock
and a hint of Doom.
Rotgut
is an album that will take a few listens to fully enjoy the overall
feel of the album. It's not an album that's going to appeal to
everyone. These acoustic solo albums can be an acquired taste for me
a times but thankfully Rotgut is an exception to the rule. As it's
superbly produced and it offers the listener a vintage style of
sounds.
The
instrumental work is good throughout the album though there's a few
moments where the guitars can sound a bit out of tune at times. Maybe
that's just me but it shouldn't stop you're enjoyment of the album.
You can tell that Dee has been influenced by Neil Young on this album
as the track – Not Everyone Wins A Prize – sees Dee perform his
best Neil Young style vocal performance. The song itself is a
haunting and heartfelt melody as it takes aim at the heart-strings.
Little
Houn Daddy Houn is perhaps one of the weakest songs on the album.
It's a song that Dee perform with his own son Rob Calhoun. I can see
why Dee included this song on the album as it's a tender experience
that Dee could enjoy with his son. Though it feels out of this place
on the album. I applaud Dee for including this on the album as it
shows you the more paternal side of Dee that people may not be used
to. Maybe I'm being too harsh on the song itself.
Apart
from that minor complaint, Rotgut is a stunning solo musical odyssey
that brings the audience closer spiritually and musically to the man
himself which Iron Man could never do.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Barbara at NeeCee Agency for the promo. Rotgut is available on
CD/DD from Argonauta Records now.
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