Starlight Tour
Welding Rod, 2024
9/10
The vocalist and guitarist Rod Picott brings his timeless songwriting to these dark and cinematic songs that welcome Lex Price, Juan Solorzano and Neilson Hubbard to the 10 tracks.
“Next Man In Line” starts the listen with Picott’s husky voice alongside Hubbard’s cozy drumming in the expressive climate, and “Digging Ditches” follows with much of grit, where Solorzano’s frisky keys guide the bright storytelling that suits the blue collar nods.
Halfway through, “Combine” is quite intimate and poetic, as Picott’s soft pipes are met with cozy acoustic guitar, while the rich and breezy “Homecoming Queen” makes great use of Solorzano’s glowing pedal steel.
“Pelican Bay” and “Time To Let Go Of Your Dreams” exit the listen, where the former is particularly bare and vulnerable, and the latter is very much vocal focused, and showcases Picott’s eloquent singing and well timed trumpet from Solorzano.
Picott has released 12 albums, authored 3 books and played thousands of shows. His art is steeped in blue collar traditions, and this installment of his work, like everything he’s done, is packed with sincerity, ruggedness and a rough beauty that comes with decades of hard work.
Travels well with: Rod Picott- Paper Hearts And Broken Arrows; Malcomb Holcombe- Tricks Of The Trade