Bottom Line:In a world where there are so many different styles of music, it is impossible to discover all of the lesser known artists. Although they may not be mainstream, some produce the best music available. Country music however, has one of the most diverse following that literally goes from coast to coast. Although it may be stretching it to say Rich McCulley is country and rock, listen to his new album Cerro Gordo in order to see that good music doesn't need a genre.
There is only one thing you need to understand when you go to purchase an album from an independent artist and that is most of the time they are not perfect. The artist puts their heart and soul into every song, but, at the same time, they know that if it is too perfect it will not be believable. Rich McCulley may not be a household name, but he is gaining fans all over the country with his "rootsy" rock tunes. Born in Fresno, California, he followed his love of music which has helped him sink his feet into the L.A. music scene and become a permanent fixture. Rich does not just find his heart in front of a live audience, he also loves being involved in the writing and producing of his music as well. Co-writing all ten songs on this album and then being in the studio behind the board as well proves his love for music as a whole. From start to finish he is "hands on," making sure the outcome is what he had envisioned from the start. Some of his co-writers have extensive roots in country music like Duane Jarvis. If his name sounds familiar, it may be due to the fact he has toured with Dwight Yoakam and Lucinda Williams. Rich expresses all of his emotions on this album. Everything from relationships to the love he has for his home state can be found on this record. The background music is full of acoustic sounds that will grab your attention from the start.
Upon getting this album, I was very excited to hear it, simply because of the front cover. Although that may sound very odd, the cover is not full of color or have his face plastered all over. Instead it looks like Rich went in the opposite direction by toning it down. With a simple gray background and a pile of large rocks, it was obvious this album was going to be raw and full of emotion.
Once it was in the CD player, it was exciting to hear the first song. Unlike anything I had ever heard, yet delivering something familiar, "Forget It All Again" brings to life things we all do, and often don't realize or even think about. Simply singing about the knowledge of love, he describes how "maybe someday we will learn half of what we need to know, and forget it all again by tomorrow." That saying alone shows off his sense of humor and his style of song writing.
"Forever California" is a personal favorite off this album. It has a great beat and shows his love for his home state. This tune will make anyone forget their problems, and really makes you want to call up a friend and scream "road trip" in the phone.
This whole album has a great feel to it. There really isn't a bad tune on it. Songs like "I Finally Lost," "By The Way," and "Hearts On Fire" all have great messages to them.
If you know anyone who loves the "roots" sound, this is a must have for them.
Track List:
- Forget It All Again
- Take Me Down
- Forever California
- If I Hesitate
- Better Days
- I Never Really Loved You (With Amy Farris)
- I Finally Lost
- Sad Sound
- By The Way
- Heart's On Fire
