Review: R.R. Williams – Unremarkable Lives
R.R. Williams – Unremarkable Lives
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Black Mesa Records – Sonic Rendezvous
Release: 2024
Text: Bert van Kessel
Tulsa, Oklahoma has developed more and more into a hotspot of Americana music and a haven for singer/ songwriters. Its latest acquisition in the troubadour area is Michael Williams who uses his late dad’s initials R. R. (for Reginald Roy) when presenting himself as a modern-day singer / songwriter on his debut album.
It is a co-effort with John Moreland who co-produced the album; he also sings and plays various instruments. The nine well-crafted songs have an honest Heartland Rock feel and are delivered in a convincing, pervasive voice. They deal with everyday lives of ordinary Americans, addressing serious themes like unemployment, divorce, love and loss.
The smoothly rocking opener, the guitar-driven Tightrope would be a hit in the hands of John Mellencamp. That similar rock feel returns in The Last In Line. Williams may well be at his most outspoken in this angry, topical song about abuse of power. The track, on which John Moreland excels on electric guitar, was inspired by Paul Brady’s Steel Claw (made famous by Tina Turner).
On most other tracks Williams creates a more intimate atmosphere. The beautful The Chase is a touching love song. John Moreland’s contribution on harmonica is exquisite. The unequalled prize number is the aching Storefronts, in which he looks at the changes in society through the eyes of an aging man.
Equally aching is the heart-rending Slowly Sinking, in which he describes a friend’s break-up with enormous empathy.The album closes with the atmospheric title track with an uplifting message to never give up. He wrote it when both he and his wife lost their jobs at the same time.
By creating such a fine album R.R. Williams has succeeded in making his life far from unremarkable.
Tracks:
01. Tightrope
02. Photographs
03. The Chase
04. Tulsa
05. Storefronts
06. Last In Line
07. Your Ghost
08. Slowly Sinking
09. Unremarkable Lives
Website: https://blackmesarecords.com/collections/r-r-williams