Rocky Votolato is quite easily one of the best singers you’re probably not listening to. His music defies my attempts to passively listen, and I routinely find myself putting aside my book or pen to give my full attention to the honest simplicity and humble introspection that has come to characterize his folk rock career. The calm, even texture of his soft-spoken melodies serve as the backdrop to penetrating lyrics, in whose stories it is impossible not to find your own memories of love and loss, as if every song was a Rorschach blot.
Yesterday saw the release of his latest album, “True Devotion,” which in many ways picks up where “Suicide Medicines” left off: at once personally contemplative and socially aware. A slight departure from previous work is seen in the second half of the album, which balances the first with lyrics embracing hope and the pursuit of truth – the closing track “Where we Started” serving as a surprising nod to the elements of karma, both lyrically and musically.
The understated warmth of his musicianship belies the shadows and memories that haunt Votolato’s narrative landscapes, all of which seem to hold brokenness and growth in lyrical tension. As with all his albums, there is a sadness etched into his voice, and a melancholy that clings to each note like the dew before sunrise.
The album is suitably diverse and a good representation of Votolato’s material, making this an album that will attract new listeners as well as please old ones. His stripped-down musicianship lends itself well to the house shows that have become increasingly popular in the “indie” scene, and his timeless appeal is sure to draw a wide audience, whether they be fans of Bob Dylan or Death Cab for Cutie. “True Devotion” is yet another solid release from an artist worthy of a larger audience.