No mere side project for Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard, Rumbleseat is a radical departure from the distorted roar of the pair’s primary outfit. Acoustic in presentation, this 14-song self-titled entry is sure to take many HWM fans where they’ve never been before. Opener “California Burritos” is a striking piece of unplugged punk — it’s raw, emotive, and instantly gratifying. Equally good is the raggle-taggle tact of “Cursing Concrete,” which puts a Gaelic slant on the band’s presentation. Stripped down but as anthemic as anything on Caution, the song finds Ragan, Wollard, and third member/bassist Samantha Jones — formerly of the Crustaceans — harmonizing in tandem with exceptional results. Material like the hauntingly melodic “Restless” and the whiskey-soaked, countrified back-porch approach of “Picker” leaves less of an impression (but is solid just the same), making the Dylan-esque harmonica-laden “Trestles” the standout on this brave and impressive debut. – John D. Luerssen
more »