Rat Wakes Red is in a constant state of mourning and wonder and 2010 brings “Acres”. The new LP is an elegy to the dead and awakening which is very fitting since singer and multi-instrumentalist James Raftery happened to star in the 1993 cult-film Night Owl as a murderous vampire.
“Acres” is a spectacle of simple sounds: piano, acoustic guitar, synths, organ, strings, woodwinds, drums, tin whistle and many, many voices. James sings, plays, plucks and blows. Jeral Benjamin returns to produce and provide violas while woodwind stars chime in to emboss the layered lather. Matt Raftery adds the needed kick from his drums while Hannah Fury lends her voice to “Always”. The ensuing song service is sung from the heavens inside, like an internal choir and orchestra. It comes from loss, change, death, and new beginnings. A slow burn of sad, beautiful dark nights of the soul.
MP3 for “Always”:
