Israel Nash (Gripka)
Album: Israel Nash's Rain Plans
Label: Loose
Tracks: 9
Website: http://www.israelnash.com

Rain Plans is said to be heavily influenced by Israel Nash Gripka's recent relocation from New York City to 'Dripping Springs' - a town of approximately 2000 inhabitants deep in Texas hill country. The dramatic change in landscape and, no doubt, lifestyle has seen him produce a record steeped in the melancholy and self-awareness that permeates so much of the very best Americana.

Gripka channels Crosby, Stills, Nash, and most certainly Neil Young as his always brilliant and at times exceptional vocal is a desperate, imploring presence enveloped by masterfully combined steel guitars, electric guitars and harmonicas. Indeed, the utterly brilliant penultimate track Mansions and title-track Rain Plains are songs which could appear comfortably on Everybody Knows This is Nowhere.

Though there is perhaps a slight reprise of his previous release (the widely acclaimed, Stones-tinged Barn Doors & Concrete Floors) on album closer Rexanimarum, this record is clearly a departure for Gripka as he leaves behind his garage rock, spit-and-sawdust simplicity in favour of a more complex, psychedelic soundscape. The result is a collection of songs that have an arresting, brooding presence; the layers of guitars will surely overwhelm the venues he is playing on his current UK and European tour.

'Here in the valley, I've learned to settle down' He croons on album opener Woman at the Well. If that is indeed the case then hopefully we can expect more of the same from a man who, wisely signed by Loose Records in the UK, may be on the cusp of a major breakthrough.

Elliot Watson