Mark Adams is the singer songwriter with California band Rancho Deluxe. Although they've had a previous rave review on W&H, when this dropped through the door, I didn’t know quite what to expect. The publicity blurb which came with this said just give it a listen, and I’m glad that I did.
This is one of the best Indie/rock albums I’ve heard this year. The opening track ‘One Less’ is instantly likeable, with a guitar line that’s a bit like Hanoi Rocks ‘Don’t Ever Leave Me’, this takes relationship break ups from a different viewpoint than a lot of writers, rather than thinking wistfully of the past and moping, this dude is happy that he’s now free.
“As if I’d ever let you bring me down, as if I wouldn’t burn your village down” he sings, his voice dripping with menace.
This was a great opener and definite single material, and should strike a chord with everyone who’s walked away from a bad relationship: - “One less sucker going round with you, one less loser getting lost with you.” With a good melody, and some nice saxophone in there, as well as being topped with witty incisive lyrics, there is pretty much nothing not to like about this.
Track two ‘Ow!’ which follows is a slight departure being in the heavy electric blues realm, slower paced with some fade out. The lyrics again are relationship based: - “There was a time when it was right/ But I can’t put myself there now/ Too far back to make it up.” Whilst not quite as strong as ‘One Less’, there is still a lot going on here.
‘I, me, my’ is a catchy blues rock song, one again the theme of ‘I don’t care’ runs through the lyrics: - “Got a new boyfriend? Oh yes, I see that. It’s hard to miss the parade/ Am I supposed to show you emotion? Should I be feelin’ betrayed?”I immediately liked the attitude of this song, the world weary slight sarcasm and the“Just not feelin’ a thing" line which sets this in complete opposition to all the indie merchants who wear their hearts on their sleeves? This is really refreshing!
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‘House On Fire’ again hits the nail on the head lyrically with a laid back drawling vocal which again leaves the listener in no doubt about the singer’s attitude: “There was no way we could go on, I was so right you were so wrong/ And no good fortune we shared, could kill the stanch in the air/ Like a house on fire I couldn’t get out fast enough.”
The next couple of tracks, ‘Unloveable’ and ‘One Time Spaceman’ will probably go down a storm in the States, but I found them slightly middle of the road standard rock.
However, back with a very big bang comes ‘Big Kiss’ which is a brilliant song about how girls always love a guy who’s a little bad, a little dangerous. Boasting a riff that comes direct from The Clash’s version of Vince Taylor’s ‘Brand New Cadillac’ this drives along like a pile driving pimp mobile! This one would also make a great single and is one of the high points of the album.
Other tracks that really made it for me were ‘Real Love’ a country blues rocker of the Gun Club variety, this features some great drums and a nice line in lyrics, basically stating that while relationships may come and go, it’s your friends that will always be there for you. The final track ‘Red Truck’ was a real surprise too, being a reggae-style rocker. Whilst different in tone to the rest of the album, it somehow provided the perfect ending.
I found this album to be refreshing and witty, certainly one that stands well above a lot of Indie music that is being churned out now. Hopefully this won’t be a one off.
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