Richie James Follin

Battle (Red Bear)

By Kim Newman
Published: March 11th, 2009 | 9:00am

The Willowz frontman Richie James Follin has gone solo on his new album, Battle, and in lieu of his band’s psychedelic-tinged garage punk, Follin has chosen to play a roots sound that is decidedly more down home. It might be a stretch to imagine a garage punk musician sounding less produced than normal on record, but Follin manages, thanks to Battle’s one-day recording session.

Battle is a lively album full of 12 tracks that alternate from upbeat honky-tonk to campfire dirge, with a loose production that captures the energy of an old-time jam session. It’s clear that Follin’s admiration for ‘60s rock includes a love for rock rhythm and blues (think Beggars Banquet-era Rolling Stones, especially on tracks like “Calling,” or “Reason,” which starts stripped and slow until the full band kicks in to build toward a swelling crescendo).

This is not to say Follin’s largely acoustic debut is completely unpolished and free of all psychedelic trimmings, such as the Moog-like embellishments on “Host,” or the sludgy guitars in “Words”; nor is Follin really solo, as he assembled an accomplished group of musicians from bands like Beachwood Sparks, Band Of Horses, and Hot Hot Heat. Ultimately, what makes Battle sound so good is Follin’s affected twang and nasal delivery; it’s as fresh and spirited as a ‘60s hippie who caught the music bug when Dylan plugged in.

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