Chuck Robertson And Friends
All Out Of Dreams
Tecolote
Released : July 9, 2021
Chuck Robertson, the long-time voice of the Mad Caddies, has joined up with some friends for a solo project.
By now, we all know this story – because we are all living it. The restrictions brought on by that pesky and seemingly never-ending pandemic are making it difficult for musicians to get together and work. Travel bans and the abolition of live music. The usual outcomes and the disturbing new-normal of modern life. But, like Brandon Lee said in that cult classic film, The Crow, it can’t rain all the time. And as a result, we are seeing some unusual projects emerge that may not have been possible without the pandemic. Weird times we are living.
When the pandemic started Chuck Robertson got busy writing and recording new music but recognized it had a different feel than what the Mad Caddies are known for. Something that is easily recognizable upon preliminary listening’s of All Out Of Dreams. Growing up in a small rural community on the central coast of California deep in the heart of cowboy wine country, naturally, Robertson seems to have been influenced by the landscape. At least the country and blues music that is found outside of city life, anyway. Therefore, with a little help from his friends, Robertson has been hard at work, crafting this collection of whiskey-soaked, country-tinged blues numbers.
See Also : At The Gates “The Nightmare Of Being” Review
Robertson’s All Out Of Dreams is the sort of thing I would expect to hear in the early morning hours, in a dimly-lit saloon somewhere in the American countryside. The kind of place that features line-dancing and would be shown in a Hollywood film as a rough and tough watering hole, where the band plays in a caged-off stage. Its combination of easy-listening country rock and bluesy and edgy lyrics about Robertson’s past and his memories lend themselves to being great drinking songs. Not the sing-a-long ones, but more the solemn notes that should play while sipping a whiskey and reminiscing. Deep in thought.
On Walls To The Ground, this album finds its plateau and a gem of a track. Smooth, ripe with the Blues and with Robertson’s voice at his best. It is the more upbeat track of the collection, using slide guitars to set the tone. The type of number that has you singing along after just a few listens. Easily memorable and relatable. Other stand-outs include The Weekend, which features many of the strengths that work so well on Walls To The Ground – albeit with a more country-twang to it – and Goodbye, which is a slower track that allows Robertson to explore his vocal range a little more than elsewhere on the record.
Although, throughout their discography, the Mad Caddies do have songs that sound along the lines of what we have here, on All Out Of Dreams, I feel that the majority of Mad Caddies fans that grab themselves a copy of this album based solely on the merits of Mad Caddies music, may be left somewhat disappointed. Robertson’s voice is probably at its best here, and there is a lot to like, but it isn’t the Mad Caddies. This is a new direction for Robertson and pals, and deserves to find its own audience. So often, a side-project or new venture will be based on the more popular group the musician in question is stepping out from, and more often than not, that new project is serving as an escape from the main band.
This is actually a kickstarter campaign, that requires ten thousand dollars to be realized – at time of press, the fund sits at just over fifteen grand, meaning that color vinyl has now been unlocked. As that number increases, more and more extras will be possible. Tee-shirts and coffee, vinyl and autographs and more that you’ll have to look into for yourself are up for grabs right now!
For Fans Of: Mad Caddies, Mike Ness, The Heavy Horses
Track Listing:
01. Under Me
02. Goodbye
03. Mountain Flower
04. The Weekend
05. Forgiveness
06. All Out Of Dreams
07. Walls To The Ground
08. Mountain Flower (Acoustic)
