David Ramirez

We’re Not Going Anywhere

Thirty Tigers, 2017

9/10

Listen to We’re Not Going Anywhere

The 4th album from the Austin, Texas singer-songwriter David Ramirez, We’re Not Going Anywhere offers us 10 very well thought out tunes of Americana influenced folk-rock, where he’s in the company of Simon Page (pedal steel, guitar) and Matthew Wright (synth, organ, piano), among others.

“Twins” stars the listen with warm, strummed acoustic guitar as Ramirez’s soulful and gripping vocals enter the dark Americana that benefits much from cautious drums and some ambience, and “Watching From A Distance” follows with a playful beat amid a dreamy quality as soothing vocals parallel the timelessness of Springsteen in the stirring landscape.

Further along, “Time” recruits piano and pedal steel to help complement the emotive climate that also takes in hazy background vocals, while “Good Heart”, a feel good tune, then builds from a folk template into a pop-friendly display of bright melody. “Telephone Lovers”, one of the album’s best, then brings both grit and sublime beauty to the subdued, reflective execution.

“Eliza Jane” and “I’m Not Going Anywhere” exit the listen, where former initially resides in piano balladry before escalating into a firm roots rocker, and the latter finds Ramirez in a bare environment with just light keys surrounding his whispered pipes that finishes with a cathartic blast.

You’re likely to be reminded of Jason Molina, Leonard Cohen or (early) Ryan Adams here, which could never be a bad thing, as Ramirez again solidifies himself as one of the best current songwriters in the area of alt-country meet indie-folk song craft.

Travels well with: Grant Lee Philips- Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff; The Jayhawks- XOXO