|
Blue Ravine releases thought-provoking CD, Leap of Faith
Sacramento-based rock band "fights the good fight," ignoring the traditional music business route to release an album about life experiences for adults.
 Print View
June 19, 2006 (FPRC) -- Even in 2006, amidst the sea of under-inspired and over-produced pop music prescribed for the masses by corporate bean counters, it’s still possible for a band to strike its own path while creating compelling and thought-provoking rock music.
At least that's how Blue Ravine views the recording industry’s current state of affairs.
"In these days of 'cutting and pasting' computer technology, I think a lot of people have forgotten that music is about feelings and being a human being," said Blue Ravine guitarist/composer/vocalist Brian R. Sickles. "With Blue Ravine, we try real hard to keep that in mind."
Sacramento, California-based Blue Ravine takes that approach to heart with the release of Leap of Faith (BRS Music/Phase 3 Productions), an eclectic collection of 12 songs recorded with the intent of making the listener laugh, cry, think and feel. Blue Ravine accomplishes this with a fresh, yet retro approach to discmaking -- putting the emphasis on recording with the spontaneity and emotion usually found in live performances.
"I don't like too much production," Sickles explained. "I want our records to sound like you're sitting in the room with us, watching us play."
Steve Sarine, Blue Ravine's drummer, adds, "I think there's something new in these songs, but at the same time, there's something instantly familiar in them too." Indeed, the song list exudes an ability to relate to nearly any of life’s challenges. “Heartbreak Waiting to Happen” details how hindsight is always 20/20. “Good Love Gone Bad” is what Sickles calls, “an adult break-up song,” and “Easily Released” explores how easy it is to take the most important things for granted as they slip away,
“Leap of Faith,” the title track, emphasizes the band’s philosophy that “the only person who can change your life is you.” The thread of self-examination continues with “Fall” (“Who can you really count on?”), “What Would You Change” and “Once in a While.”
“’What Would You Change’ simply asks, ‘Could you start over again knowing then what you know now?” Sickles said. “‘Once in a While,’ points out that every now and then, you’ve got to forget about style and do what’s right.”
The remaining tracks continue the contemplative theme. “Dirty Foot” is an editorial about prairies, a medicine man and a casino, in particular, how the West was lost to everyone. “Which Way is Up” tackles the subject of what happens when innocent hopes and big dreams collide with harsh reality.
Sickles points out that “Couldn’t it Be” reaches the summation that “life isn’t fair, never was, never will be.” In “Requiem,” he observes that “sometimes things cross your path with little or no recognition – until it’s too late.”
Leap of Faith closes with “Closer to the Fire,” which, according to Sickles, explains how “everyday is just another step closer to the end.”
Sarine points out, “A lot of the songs on Leap of Faith have an underlying positive message, unfashionable as that is,”
Recorded in November 2005 at The House on Sutcliffe Circle in Folsom, California, Leap of Faith is available through www.cdbaby.com, www.blueravine.com, Apple iTunes and Tower Records.
“People are a lot smarter and eclectic than the mainstream music business gives them credit for,” Sarine concludes. “We’ve had to fight to keep our independence, believe it or not.”
As Leap of Faith proves, it’s a battle against corporate rock and roll that’s worth fighting.
For more information about Blue Ravine, visit www.blueravine.com or email b.sickles@sbcglobal.net.
Send an email to Brian Sickles of Blue Ravine
Keywords:
Blue, Ravine, rock
|
