Prattle On, Rick – Communion Bread EP
self-released 2010
[tags: folk, indie folk, (acoustic), EP, 2010]
Listen while reading:
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I hope you’re in the mood for a good Music Monday, because Patrick Rickelton, operating under the…eh…rather strange name Prattle On, Rick, from Nashville/Tennessee just recently released his debut EP Communion Bread. The chances are high that you never heard of him before – and this is just a big shame (well, not for you but in generally) since his music sounds fresh and the EP is a very nice (acoustic) indie folk release worth checking out.
Patrick contacted me after my review for the first three tracks from upcoming The Vespers album Tell Your Mama. Well, the reason seems very understandable for The Vespers are part of the EP, because they actively supported Patrick recording his material. And no, Prattle On, Rick doesn’t sound like just a version of The Vespers – he kept his own style and despite some shared genre characteristics there is not so much in common between both bands – ok, one fact is indeed just the same: the awesome music.
The music is mostly characterized by smooth strummed acoustic guitar melodies, very chilled vocals sung by Patrick himself (with female backing vocals by Callie and Phoebe Cryar). Decent drums and percussions as well as a nice played harmonica support the songs and especially the latter accents the singer-songwriter aspect of the record. The spectrum of the music reaches from classic acoustic indie folk songs (My Holiday or When Creation Speaks Too Low or Lately) over more upbeat but still dreamy songs (Lift Up) to a bit sadder tracks with nice cello (or is it a upright bass…tell me it is) and e-guitar melodies (Find Your Own Way). So the variation is mostly found within the borders of indie folk without breaking out of traditionally concepts like Leonard Mynx did with the recently reviewed Le Petit Mort.
So what you get is what you want without surprises and I mean this in a good way because, even if I contradict myself very oft-times, I like music that is plain and simple. Experiments too often ruin the credibility of the music and the musicians because they are often a sure sign of a missing feeling for song-writing. I know, many will disagree with me, but experimentation should serve the record and mustn’t work as a smoke screen for missing talent (bash me in the comments if you like). So, back to the EP and to Prattle On, Rick.
If I had an indie folk label and I would be interested in finding new acts that sound very promising, I certainly would like to check out the Communion Bread EP. This being said I declare, that I really enjoyed these 20+ minutes of very good music. In comparison to The Vespers, the music is more indie folk orientated, without those introverted, very soft moments. Prattle On, Rick is a bit more straight forward and this could be the reason that his music may is a bit more open to wider audiences. But this is just my feeling about the two bands if I listen to them switching from one to the other. But who needs those comparisons, both bands are just amazing and that’s it.
If you’re interested in buying your copy of the Communion Bread EP (which constantly reminds me of the great Iron And Wine song Communion Bread And Someone’s Coat from the Passing Afternoon Single) I highly recommend to buy a physical copy of the record, because in this case you will also get a totally free bonus album (The Decade Begins) containing twelve instrumental tracks whereby every tracks represents one month. Isn’t this totally awesome? And because it is, you will click this link, listen to the free January sample and buy your copy right now. Soooo…you just don’t like CDs and free bonus albums…well, then buy your digital version at DigStation (100% of the purchase goes to the artist) or at iTunes (honestly, DigStation sounds way better, so just buy it there…) p.s. you can listen to the whole EP over at Prattle On, Rick’s MySpace.
Excellent tunes! Love em’!