Monsters
Rusty Doc, 2017
8/10
It’s hard to believe that the Canadian singer-songwriter Dawson Rutledge was just 20 years old when he penned this debut album, cause his well thought out brand of folk-rock runs parallel to the legends of the genre as he offers us 9 cautious tracks.
“Thief Of A Lover” starts the listen with Rutledge’s unique and inviting vocals guiding the warm folk influenced tune that recruits female vocals, and “Holding My Own” follows with an upbeat strummer that shuffles amid a playful spirit.
Near the middle, “When Life Gives You Monsters” moves with vivid storytelling as Rutledge’s versatile pipes are on display, while “Whispering Winds” embraces a darker quality alongside a timeless, sometimes dramatic delivery with much emphasis on percussion.
Deeper still, “Same Old News”, the album highlight, then flows with soulful horns, bright percussion and plenty of rugged yet tuneful Americana, and “Coffee Shop” exits the listen calm, dreamy and with no lack of bare beauty in its emotive landscape.
Sometimes reminding us of a young Bob Dylan, it will exciting to where Rutledge’s career takes him, cause his keen sense of songwriting and heartfelt execution has us hanging on every moment of Monsters.
Travels well with: Radio Receiver- Radio Receiver; Jason Molina- Eight Gates