Album Review: Shea Rafferty - Livin'
With visions of a beat up old guitar, a torn notebook brimming full of songs and a lifetime of poignant musings to share, Shea Rafferty opens the throttle on his latest album meeting its ideal full on. LIVIN’ hit the airwaves on September 25th after a busy slate of sumner events and ahead of a raft of autumn promotional shows, The 10-track release unites mainstream country boosterism with heartland rock, skilfully weaving a transatlantic thread tying downtown Nashville with afflicted Northern Ireland. The guts of London-based Ulster man Rafferty are laid to bare on each song, whether pressing the pedal hard or mulling over things in tranquil pastures.
This is Rafferty’s third album release and the first under the stewardship of Ed Harcourt. Precedence from this type of arrangement suggest it wasn’t going to be a twang laden effort running into the arms of traditionalists. Maybe that album could come another day as it is suspected to be in his armoury. However underlying intent and songwriting acumen ensure a message is at the heart of the record.
There are three key tracks ruffling the grey matter. ‘Livin’ and ‘Nashville Life’ leave any remnant of implicitness in the cupboard. The first is stoked nostalgia, brazenly name checking ‘Springsteen, Madonna, Petty and Nirvana’ in the chorus. Not a quartet you expect be placed in a song lyric but you get the gist and the names are merely symbolic. The anthem-like qualities are set to be a surefire winner in a live setting - Eric Church mode. The second with references to the Cumberland River and the Mother Church can be a little old hat for seasoned country veterans but the genre is continually attracting new recruits and it is no harm signposting some of the features that could lead newbies down a multitude of rabbit holes.
The third key track is ‘The Troubled Times’ placed in the album’s penultimate slot. The father to son narrative elevates the impact and a sense of unification on a micro (not necessarily macro) level imparts. The 1969 reference is an explicit guider, although without pinning a year down would still enable the song to make sense. However it can be tough to resonate without the lived experience.
While this trio have a potential to dominate the album, three others make a good case for Rafferty sharpening up his base with a quality song. Pitching ‘Blowin’ Smoke’ as the album standout gains traction with each listen. It possesses a great tune, a hint of twang and a touch of barroom swagger, with the writing of a subtler variety. Prior to this, ‘The Lucky One’ moves the sound up a gear in terms of refinery following a frantic opening. This is a pure slice of heartland rock spinning a strong story within a secure musical wrapper. It was unsurprising in an album of this ilk for the closer to be a stripped back reflective effort and Rafferty duly delivers with the feel good ballad ‘Be at Peace’. Standard in some respect but you can’t go wrong with a cordial universal message.
‘The Storm’ and ‘Candle is Burning’ are paired up to get the show on the road and announce a fairly emphatic arrival. The first is dripping in rock sentiment, while its successor keeps the fire alight in a similar vein. Deep in the second half of the 41-minute running time, ‘Self-Inflicted’ and ‘I’ll Be Waiting For You’ shore up the substance. Here the writing errs on the personal without revealing too much and leaving the listener to work things out. A songwriter is usually better when in ‘show don’t tell mode’.
LIVIN’ is a capable release slipping easily into a listening repertoire. The parting shot is a resemblance to the cloth Will Hoge has cut for many years. Shea Rafferty similarly succeeds in smartly positioning his music. Fans of varied persuasions from country to Americana will take something from this album.
