Tommy Rickard, Taras Prodaniuk, Adam Marsland, Dennis Hamm, Steve Mugalian, Brian Young, Glen Sherba, Greg Boaz--these are some of the folks who play with me on a regular or semi-regular basis!
The release of his fourth record Cerro Gordo finds veteran roots rocker Rich McCulley in a good place, feeling happy and inspired in his adopted Los Angeles home.
Kicking off with the bouncy foot stomper “Forget It All Again,” the new album winds through ten rootsy pop tunes, infused throughout with a mood of optimism and confidence McCulley has earned from a life of hard experience. “I can’t reinvent the wheel, but I can put my own spin on it,” he says, and he delivers on this promise with an album of music both fresh and familiar. Cerro Gordo is a classic McCulley concoction of satisfying melodies, chiming guitars, humable harmonies, whirling organs, soaring strings... all the elements of catchy roots pop delivered in tightly polished songs and recorded in an honest, straightforward style that is McCulley’s trademark.
Following on the success of his third record Far From My Angel (2005), McCulley has become a fixture in the LA roots scene, where he has developed productive co-writing partnerships, placed songs in films, recorded dozens of bands in his studio, and played as a fiery guitar sideman in many pro projects.
It’s not surprising, therefore, that the list of co-writers and players on Cerro Gordo reads like a who’s who of McCulley’s favorite bands and musical inspirations. Co-writers include Duane Jarvis (Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam) and Todd Herfindal of The Meadows, while featuring members of bands such as Fountains of Wayne, The Posies, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Frank Black, Dave Alvin, and others.
Highlights of the record include the lush and lovely “If I Hesitate,” a song of new love, and “I Never Really Loved You,” a tongue in cheek duet with singer/violinist Amy Farris (Dave Alvin, Kelly Willis). There is also an ode to the beauty and reinventive spirit of McCulley’s native California (“Forever California”).
McCulley's sound features his distinctive chopped gravel vocal rasp - hailed by IndieMusic.com as "a great rock and roll voice" - as well as powerful rock guitar chops that shift effortlessly from full-on rock to laid-back California cool. McCulley's style remains sunny and honest and always throws a hook.
McCulley's story began in his hometown of Fresno, CA, where he wrote, recorded and toured with a variety of county rock and pop rock bands on labels such as Geffen and Columbia. With the release of his first solo EP in 2000, McCulley set off on his own path, guiding his band through two more critically acclaimed records and staging several tours across the southern US and West coast.
Now, celebrating the release of Cerro Gordo, McCulley remains optimistic about the future. “I’ve learned not to be so attached to things and outcomes, and instead to just enjoy the experience. At the end of the day, being able to survive and make a living in music, play with my friends, and find new inspiration, that’s what drives me forward.”
“Originals like 'Hope Your Happy,' 'Stumbling To Start'
and '8 Years Ago Today'...weep and sting like the best
of John Hiatt or Robbie Fulks.”
-- Los Angeles Weekly
“[McCulley] masterfully blends folk, blues, and pop into a
tasty, rootsy stew. His is an original and most welcome voice.”
-- Amplifier Magazine
"All in all, this is great songwriting and sounds in the Pete Droge
vein, that bites its way through the mystery of love lost and music’s
healing properties." -- Miles of Music
“McCulley’s vocal chords sound like they’ve been marinating
in a whiskey bath with a 3-pack-a-day habit added. Think early
Tom Petty mixed with Wilco.” -- Nashville Scene
"McCulley is not only a moving, demonstrative vocalist and articulate,
compelling writer, he's also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist...His
songs range from lighter, satiric numbers to surging rock-tinged pieces
and country-influenced numbers, while his raspy, distinctive lead is
both immediately recognizable and consistently engaging."
-- The City Paper/Nashville, TN
"This is top-notch roots-pop. Think Tom Petty, Bill Lloyd, The Jayhawks,
Pete Droge, John Hiatt and echoes of solo Westerberg, with his warm
reedy vocal-style and songs that has a Nils Lofgren/Grin-esque charm
to it." -- NotLame.com
"McCulley's sound is not the same old Americana stuff, better still it's
a kind of poignant rock 'n' roll music which perfectly blends together
roots flavor and pop hooks, reminding some American outsiders such as
Pete Droge or Kevin Salem (Hope You're Happy) and most of all David
Lowery's Cracker." -- Fabio Cerbone, www.rootshighway.it
"With classy stuff like this Rich McCulley definitely deserves a niche
of his own somewhere between the newborn Graham Parker and
Paul Westerberg." -- Benny Metten, www.ctrlaltcountry.be
The current Rich McCulley CD, FAR FROM MY ANGEL, can be YOURS!
Now ALL THREE Rich McCulley records are available on i-Tunes and online at:
Happy Monday!! Be sure to stop by my page and check the new song I posted, Say You Love Me. Have a listen and leave a comment. Woo hoo! Thanks for being a friend and for supporting indie music!
"Sounds like wind blowing in a wheatfield, train rolling down the line, rain coming down on a old tin shed, steel, wire and a rusty heart. Boots of leather and dust and ash. Mollasess and coal and stone. Wedding rings and buried bones of love broken and burnt. Tales and the footprints, ravenswings and souls are earnt"
Rich, I'm really enjoying Cerro Gordo. You did some great work on that record as producer, writer and performer. It's good knowing such a prodigious musician. All best to you.
A song started up on the IPod shuffle the other day and from the first couple bars, I said to T, "I'm gonna like this one," and it turned out to be one of yours.
Hope the NoCal trip went great...you're playing a couple of my favorite venues.
