Rocky Votolato

I really like Rocky's music and this CD is in heavy rotation on my CD player. This guy should be a lot more famous than he is.

I highly recommend purchasing this and his other CDs. There isn't a bad one in the bunch.

This album continues where Makers left off. Every bit as melodic and insightful. This is the mellowest of his last three albums and probably the most simply beautiful. He understands every pain you might be feeling and makes it better.

Not much else to say, as I am convinced Rocky cannot write a boring song. On this album, Rocky tends toward a more "country-ish" (though not in the Rascall Flatts sense of the genre) sound and makes use of a very talented band. This all adds to the pleasantness of the record.

I try to avoid the phrase 'whiskey soaked" when describing a singer's voice. Not because it is not a great description only because it is slightly over used. However it would take someone far more clever than me to come up with a better way to describe Rocky Votolato's particular quality. It's smooth and unnervingly effective. When he sings he sings stories of Jack Daniels, past loves, and mistakes. The melodies are incredible, but simple. There are more than a few that are so lovely and spot on you may have goosebumps. I can't get enough of tracks 2, 3, or 11.

One of the best song writers of this decade, incredible. His work with waxwing was amazing and he keeps expanding with each solo release although I honestly think suicide medicine is still his best work overall.

I really liked this CD considering I purchased it after hearing just the short clips on the Amazon web site. He has a great voice and the music and lyrics caught my attention from the first listen.

I'm always looking for new artists and Rocky was a great "find."

This album has to be one of the best albums ever written. From the opening song "White Daisy Passing" you are drawn in by the stories of Rocky's youth. The longing for a past love, a past time in life, when things were good and simple. The album tells like a bittersweet love story that begins with a love and looking at the memories of it and it's passing by and ends with the death of a close friend. This album reminds me so much of college life and the newness of it at first, the passing days, and then one day it is all just a box full of memories that rush over you like a warm blanket and all you feel is gratefulness for experiencing them and yet you still have a small longing for the days passed.

Buy this album, it will become one of your favorites. I listen to it often when I am typing up reports and notes. Great CD.

A very poignant record, as is the case with his previous records. I always love a well told story... this record provides 12. Get it.

Rocky Votolato writes like he's just come back from a near death experience. Many of these songs are filled with a quiet desperation over some introspective awakening about his mortality; and nonetheless they're comforting. His voice is somewhere between Slaid Cleaves and Paul Simon on the emotional richter scale and it calms and soothes and sedates.

Mostly acoustic, with wonderful harmonies and a perfect pace; Makers is good music to chill out to and reflect on the past, present and the unknowable future. As Rocky puts it, "heaven or heavenless we're all headed for the same sweet darkness". If we all embraced that notion, we'd have little reason to disagree.

Highly recommended!

Ahhh, the lonely ballad of the singer-songwriter. A lone troubadour, pouring out their heart and soul, naked and alone, with no band to hide behind, no crashing guitars and pounding drums to shield their delicate psyche.

There was a time when being called a singer-songwriter was a badge of honor. But now, we might just as well turn tail and run. Sure the legacy of singer-songwriters is a mighty one: Bob Dylan, Elton John, Gordon Lightfoot, Janis Ian, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Donovan, Bruce Springsteen, but you'll notice a serious dearth of more -modern- musicians in that league. That's not because there aren't singer songwriters anymore, it's just that now, we typically equate singer songwriters with commercial radio, faceless pap, bad top 40, coffee houses, guys who couldn't start a band so decided to just 'do it themselves'. I'm definitely generalizing, sure. There have definitely been some notable exceptions, Iron And Wine's Sam Beam, Damien Jurado, Edith Frost, Elliott Smith, Joel Phelps, Devendra Banhart, Cat Power's Chan Marshall, Simon Joyner, Fiona Apple, Jeff Mangum, Sufjan Stevens, Will Oldham, and now you can add Rocky Votoloto to the list.

Now the funny thing is, as I mention again and again and again, if Votoloto had chosen to release this record under the name Waxwing (the name of his previous band) it probably wouldn't get lumped in with the singer-songwriters at all, and might even get a bit more attention, even if it sounded exactly the same. That's why it's always better to make up a band name even if it's just you. I've said it before, I'll say it again. No matter how cool you think your name is, unless it's Van Halen or something like that, think again! Try this out: "I'm going to see John Smith". Or "I'm going to see Black Dungeon Firefly". Or "Strangle Flanger". Or whatever. You get the idea.

Anyway, before this review loses any more of its momentum, let me just say this is one of the most beautiful records I have heard in ages and mere months into the year has most definitely secured a spot on my 2006 top ten list!

Votoloto has a gorgeously husky, whiskey soaked voice, and has an amazingly deft touch with melody and harmony. The first track is a dead ringer for Iron And Wine, delicate steel string guitar, hushed breathy vocals and sweet sweet harmonies, but the rest of the record is not nearly as restrained. Votolato's vocals are too rough and raw and powerful to be tiptoe-ing and shuffling sad boy style. No, the rest of the record sounds more like that Nirvana Unplugged record, Votolato's vocals the centerpoint, raw and ragged, but thick and warm and completely intense and emotional, more raspy and sandpapery like Cobain or Spoon's Britt Daniel or even Pete Searcy from Squirrel Bait. Not to say that he can't get all smooth, cuz there are plenty of dark and delicate tracks, where the vocals glide smoothly over sweet mournful melodies and hushed melancholy moments.

But as with all "singer-songwriters" (sigh) it's all about the songs, and this record is so chock full of amazing songs. Dark and dreary, warm and weary, folky and twangy, hushed and indie, a perfect mix of Iron And Wine, Ryan Adams, Elliott Smith, Uncle Tupelo, Spoon, and all that stuff I love. Acoustic guitars, harmonica, lapsteel, organ all woven into perfect chunks of dark and dreamy pop and twang.

I dunno wich album I like better, Burning My Travels Clean, or this one. To be honest with you I think all of his albums are equally amazing. Nobody compares...nobody!

You always see 5 stars because the only people that comment are those that like the band. This is another story. I got hooked on Rocky from a friend, and was immersed ever since. Suicide Medicine is amazing, i can not think of any other album which rivals. All i can say is download a few songs... i guarentee youll love it.

years ago, i was blessed to play a show with rocky in lawrence kansas. he sings of truth, beauty, pain, life & love, and so so much more. he's definitely ahead of his time, melodies and a voice that make you cry while you smile, like he's talking just to you. don't hesitate to buy all of his records, they are all wonderful. if you have to start somewhere, i would recommend suicide medicine first, the light & sound ep is absolutely terrific as well. take a day or night to let it all sink in, you will be hooked.

Does not work! Highly recommend taking 4 Prozacs with a bottle of tequila instead.

I've just started listening to him recently, and so far I've enjoyed everything I've heard from him. Hes a great vocalist who just seems to capture you in his music. I've also enjoyed listening to waxwings music as well. But I think I prefer him solo with just him and his guitar. But the song Montana with David Huffman is still one of my favorites. So I would highly recommend buying his cds! you wont regret it! I just hope I'll be able to go to one of his concerts... everyone says hes amazing live.

Non-Traditional song structures are the key to this record. This perfect little gem was recorded in one day, to top it all off. A must have for fans of the singer/songwriter genre. Fans of Daniel G. Harmann, Robb Benson and Nick Drake will appreciate the beautiful similarities. The fact that this CD isn't a best seller boggles my mind.

There is not a Rocky Album that is not spectacular. I have seen him live 3 times and each show has been amazing. Actually his first solo album (he was also in a band called waxwing which is outstanding by the way) is what inspired me to begin playing the accoustic guitar 8 years ago.

This LP is so amazing. If you're looking for some real emo music, you need to get this CD. His voice alone will leave you in tears, all I have to say is... Dashboard WHO?? There's no compitition when it comes to Votolato. Honestly, you need this CD. YOU NEED IT. And if you love it, buying the EP will be worth it also (A Brief History). You'll listen to it 4 times in a row, everytime. :-D You Have Alisha's Promise!

The majority of the exposure that Rocky Votolato has gained was due to his tour with Dashboard Confessional, an interesting bill. Before this, Votolato's reputation was garnered from the indie outfit, Waxwing. Unfortunately, he was cast in the wrong tour: Votolato's innocent lyricism and conventional songwriting made him stand out as a real honest writer not in the typical "emo" sense, but in a folk rock sense. It's acoustic rock with a backing band, yet his personality, which comes through his voice and quiet strumming of the guitar, puts a personal stamp that cannot be ignored.

This is not to say this album is devoid of "emo" rock characteristics. Votolato unabashedly tells the trials and tribulations that he's gone through and adds his own fire. This personal touch is what makes it great, as he combines both honest and innocent lyricism into a greater body. An example of his lyricism can be seen in the song "Without My Eyes Still Seeing": "Dylan, Drake, Even Schwarzenbach, how you became heroes I'll never forget: It's not easy looking at your heart, not many men know how, even fewer speak out."

While it falls into a typical acoustic-rock outfit, Rocky Votolato's "Burning My Travels Clean" is an excellent CD with interesting and engaging songwriting. Pick up a copy.

I dunno wich album I like better, Burning My Travels Clean, or this one. To be honest with you I think all of his albums are equally amazing. Nobody compares...nobody!

You always see 5 stars because the only people that comment are those that like the band. This is another story. I got hooked on Rocky from a friend, and was immersed ever since. Suicide Medicine is amazing, i can not think of any other album which rivals. All i can say is download a few songs... i guarentee youll love it.

years ago, i was blessed to play a show with rocky in lawrence kansas. he sings of truth, beauty, pain, life & love, and so so much more. he's definitely ahead of his time, melodies and a voice that make you cry while you smile, like he's talking just to you. don't hesitate to buy all of his records, they are all wonderful. if you have to start somewhere, i would recommend suicide medicine first, the light & sound ep is absolutely terrific as well. take a day or night to let it all sink in, you will be hooked.

Does not work! Highly recommend taking 4 Prozacs with a bottle of tequila instead.

I've just started listening to him recently, and so far I've enjoyed everything I've heard from him. Hes a great vocalist who just seems to capture you in his music. I've also enjoyed listening to waxwings music as well. But I think I prefer him solo with just him and his guitar. But the song Montana with David Huffman is still one of my favorites. So I would highly recommend buying his cds! you wont regret it! I just hope I'll be able to go to one of his concerts... everyone says hes amazing live.

Best singer song writer ever. Period!