Here is a random find that’s well worth mentioning. Ben Ratliff is a New York singer/songwriter originally from Austin, Texas. He has recorded under the names Ben Ratliff, Earlwine and most recently as aMerkin. Songs For The New Depression presents and interesting and frequently rewarding variety of blues inflected rock, tasteful electronic work and compelling songwriting. The album bounces back and forth between sets of bluesy rock numbers and pleasant electronic passages, and is a pretty cohesive set. The way the electronics are mixed into pop songs reminds me of Calexico and on the standout track “Leviathan” Ratliff nails that great early 90’s Beck Hip-Hop/Folk Rock groove. A surprise on the album is the 5 min sound collage “New Era” based around a ticking electronic percussion groove, tv/radio samples and other various samples. Opener “All Night” is a great slow blues rocker that sets up the album well with lyrics about a hope for redemption “I pray for my salvation”. “Good Morning” presents yet another side to Ratliff that seems to have more in common with say Brian Eno or Klaus Schulze’s ambient work than the electro-indie blues that occupies most of the album. Despite the wide range Ratliff manages to combine styles in a very satisfying way. On his aMekin.com website Ratliff has two releases available for free or for a low price: Songs For The New Depression and 2007’s Low Frequency Hum. I plan to checkout Low Frequency Hum next as it is Ratliff’s first and so far only release under his new moniker aMerkin, and according to his website is quite different from Depression. I’m not sure if there is a direct influence or not but some of the vocals reminded me strongly of Mark Sandman from Morphine and I really enjoyed that since I can’t ever recall hearing another singer that reminded me of him at all. I’ll be keeping an eye on Ratliff (or Earlwine, aMerkin, or anything else he comes up with) a great artist with a unique sound.
www.aMerkin.com
-T
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