Mid-western singer/songwriter Pokey LaFarge follows-up 2017’s Manic Revelations release with Rock Bottom Rhapsody. LaFarge continues what he started on Manic Revelations and again leaves behind the strict traditional early country/blues/jazz blueprint he started out with in favor of expanding his sound by adding elements of soul, country, Roy Orbison, and even a bit of French chanson (singing) this time around. The album was written and recorded during a relocation from St. Louis to Los Angeles, inspired by a romantic opportunity that culminated in a descent into vice and disarray. Coming out of hard times, LaFarge says Rock Bottom Rhapsody is a spiritual reawakening that “wasn’t necessarily about expressing the joys of my heart…It was more trying to release some form of pain. That’s more what this record was. And trying to convey that in a beautiful and catchy piece of music.” Notable tracks include: the 60’s soul-inspired “Storm a Comin'”; the late 50’s/early 60’s pop-vibed “End of My Rope”; the prohibition era undertone bass and piano-driven “Fuck Me Up”; the romantic torch song “Lucky Sometimes”; the upbeat “Fallen Angel”; and the modern-day hymn and haunting closing track “Lost In The Crowd.” Pokey LaFarge still seems to be figuring out how to exist musically in more than one decade at same time. That being said, Rock Bottom Rhapsody is a great listen and I look forward to more experimentation from LaFarge as he continues to perfect his sound. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Chris Isaak, Raul Malo, JD McPherson, Parker Millsap, Roy Orbison