Rocky Votolato | Television of Saints
The last time I was writing about Rocky Votolato I was really depressed and so was the album (and drink) of choice, Makers. These days I’m slightly less depressed, and, great news, so was his last album. Released in 2012, Television of Saints isn’t quite upbeat but is noticeably more optimistic. On “Ghost Writer” he is even trying to cheer up others: “Just Let the Pressure/Turn Your Charcoal Heart/Into a Diamond/Reflecting light/Oh Don’t Let it Get Crushed Into Darkness.” The gloominess is still lurking present but its probably a good move for everyone to try to keep fighting it instead of going down to sleep at the bottom of the ocean. Plus if Votolato was to succumb to depression he wouldn’t be able to create great albums like this.
Television of Saints is full of more songs of encouragement:“Above the Water” announces “We’ve gone way too far to watch these dreams drown now/Come on, just a little further/We’re almost to the shore/Just keep your head above the water”. While “Fool’s Gold” warns about chasing the aforementioned rock metaphor and advises the listeners to keep on searching because “one day you’ll be free”. The title track is among the exceptions to this new positivity, with a few songs still focusing on sadness, frustration, and the like. But we can’t expect everything to change overnight. Baby Steps. Right, Dr. Leo Marvin?
Musically this album is as strong as ever, although admittedly not much of a departure from the acoustic/harmonica blend typical from Votolato. But that doesn’t mean this album has nothing new to offer. “Little Spring” features some nice subtle vocal harmonizing that I don’t remember hearing in the past , while “Sunlight” features some of his best guitar work yet. And even in the comfort of his folk familiarity he is able to create some of his best songs to date in “Sparks” and “Crooked Arrows”. I want to say this album makes a powerful statement of depression and life, but realistically it’s the same advice we’re already heard before. As folk legend Tupac Shakur once sang “You gotta keep your head up”. But every little bit, every little song helps to let you know that there are others who are going through the same thing. And thankfully some of us are talented enough to turn these thoughts into quality music.
Bake
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[…] three songs from Votolato the first of which (“Sparks of Recovery”) originally appeared on his Television of Saints album. I thought at the time that it was one of the better songs from that record but I like this […]
[…] lyrically this is still the same artist responsible for everything from Burning My Travels Clean to Television of Saints. On the album closer, “The Finish Line”, Votolato puts his stamp on it and it’s one that […]