We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River

Richmond Fontaine are a band who know their strengths and who develop from release to release by polishing up their existing approach rather than embarking on any radical departures. Let's be honest - we wouldn't want it any other way. The Fontaine may be a niche band but oh what a fantastic niche. For those unacquainted the band centre everything around the story telling lyrics and nuanced vocal delivery of Willy Vlautin. It is a similar approach to that of another country tinged band Lambchop, although Willy's vocals are more direct and Richmond Fontaine compositions are for the most part more concise.

I was very impressed by this album's predecessor '13 Cities' but I feel this is a a more streamlined effort - there is less meandering here which will make this an excellent entry point for first timers. `We Used to Think' is impressively consistent but there are definite highlights and in particular `The Pull' stands out as a brilliant account of a life slowly crumbling to pieces, a 30 year old who falls into obsession and is finally left with absolutely nothing. This seems to be a specialty of Willy's - showing just how quickly troubles can grow out of control, where a few ill conceived actions lead to cataclysmic personal disaster. `43' is similar but instead of a dull ache of sadness here we have manic paranoia as a divorced man struggling to pay the bills resorts to producing drugs in his own home. In this case Willy doesn't provide the denouement but we can guess from the manic playing of the band that something is `gonna hit' pretty soon!

If this makes the album sound too depressingly gritty then fear not - there are some lighter moments such as the closing spoken word piece that imagines a conversation between a man and his partner and lover who works as a nurse. Tender, sweet and true to life it shows that Richmond Fontaine's music `can be like that too'. The near-instrumental `Watch out' perhaps sums up the appeal of the band more than any other song they have recorded - the music is a simple, almost jaunty melody, and there is just one single vocal line repeated twice - `watch out or your heart will be nothin' but scars'. Long may Willy watch out for the lost souls of the West.

I considered "Thirteen Cities" to be Richmond Fontaine's masterpiece and thought they'd never be able to better it. On the first couple of hearings of "We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River", I felt I'd been right. But it's the ultimate "grower" and now it's my favourite record of 2009. The songs are less heartbreaking than some of Willy Vlautin's canon, and the band has dared to make concessions to commercialism. But who could deny their right to do that, especially as there is absolutely no loss of integrity and the critical reaction has been so positive? The single, "You Can Move Back Here" is a glittering gem, up there with the best jangly REM tracks. Lyrical food for thought is everywhere, with The Boyfriends seemly packing an entire Vlautin novel into three minutes and twenty-eight seconds. The most moving song for me is "Watch Out", even though it only contains nine words and a whispered chorus of just two words. This album may just be Richmond Fontaine's breakthrough, and then justice will finally have been done.

Willy Vlautin is a real talent and this cd showcases his story songs to perfection. If you haven't explored his work...START NOW!! Get his 2 novels (Northline and This Motel Life - both heartbreakingly good stories of ordinary Americans facing life's problems head on). Willy hasn't got the strongest voice but makes up for it with his delivery. The band sound better than ever and paint sounds to complement the words. Wholeheartedly recommended!!