Rod Picott
Album: Fortune
Label: Welding Rod
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.rodpicott.com/

Since the release of his debut album "Tiger Tom Dixon's Blues" way back in 2001, the career of this former sheet rock hanger has been on a slow but steadily rising trajectory both in the States and in the UK, where his catalogue of songs that spin stories of hard work, heartache and the human condition have struck a deep seated chord of consciousness in anyone that cares to take a listen to the native New Englander.

"Fortune", as the press sheet tells us, sees Picott turning his focus inward, using himself - not the people around him - as the album's main character. And in embracing that perspective he has produced a raw and revealing piece of work that is the mirror of it's creation in that he put together a small band who basically just plugged in and played. The simplicity of the concept manifests itself in the atmosphere of each song, but of course the actual writing and performance are anything but simple.

The songs come from his life. "A lot of these songs explore a sense of chance, of what might happen with your life", explains Rod. It's that concept that shapes the album as a whole and what ultimately in places makes for uncomfortable and challenging listening at times. I'm hoping that there really is plenty of happiness in the songwriters life as this collection of songs hint at despair, disfunction and the obligatory love lost. Not surprising then that I found this album initially very difficult to listen to all in one sitting.

"The World Is Dangerous Place". "Maybe That's What It Takes". "Spare Change". A song title can paint many an evocative image, and Picott does this so well. The words to accompany those songs are indeed worthy of stand alone prose. "Jeremiah" may well be the story of a soldier who doesn't come home from Iraq, but it's also a metaphor for life. Picott's distinctive voice allied to stark acoustic guitar is quite startling in it's honesty.

That starkness is a recurrent lyrical and musical theme, and with the exception of the more upbeat electric ramblings of "I Was Not Worth Your Love" and the laid back twang of "Uncle John" (which has got Fred Eaglesmith written all over it!), "Fortune" is one of those albums that will only find it's way to the top of the record pile when the darkness descends.

His consummate skill at turning misery into art is bared for all to see on "Fortune". Just don't put this album on immediately after Leonard Cohen…

Ken Brown
www.squarerootspromotions.co.uk