Ronnie Fauss - Built to Break (2014) [Hi-Res]

This is the second full album, carefully packaged with printed lyrics, from a Texas based and experienced musician. He already has a string of EPs to his name. After a satisfying debut, Ronnie has settled, with this record, into the frame of making a memorable Americana Album. Memorable, because it is varied. In Ronnie Fauss’ own words, “It is a little more rock ‘n ‘roll and a little less country.” No harm in that! It all starts with a full rocker, “Another Town” that holds you with the drums, and the guitar, and life which is “nothing more than just a high stakes game of dice.” Anthem -like “Eighteen Wheels” epitomises the feel of the collection. Here, Ronnie is joined by Rhett Miller from The Old 97’s. Listen to the chorus: “Gonna play a little Cash, play a little Dylan, play a little Emmy Lou/ There’s something about that music that just purifies my soul.” You can hear the purring sound from a satisfied audience. As for country, listen to “Never Gonna Last.” A true country duet, Ronnie and Jenna Paulette.

And that style of music is there as well in the story lines: “The Big Catch,” an important track, is prepared to deal with the less attractive ways of modern life. This moving song examines the effects of a family split-up on a child. Sensitive song writing wins all hearts here and “the lightning still wakes you at midnight...” All the songs work well. There are two other important and lingering tracks worth mentioning here: “Song for Zula.” This is the only cover on the album. It a song written by Matthew Houk and performed by (him) Phosphorescent in 2013 on “Muchacho.” This is more than just a worthy version; it is equal to the original, with its own description of “love as fickle as a feather in a stream.” An excellent choice for the album.

And, for final consideration is “Come on Down,” the last track. As with all the songs here, one is aware of the care taken with the production by Sigurdur Birkis. Again, the track is not necessarily autobiographical . Rather, it finishes the album as an ode to the working class. Here are Ronnie Fauss and Josh Kaler, alone with a “gang vocal choir,” singing simply, powerfully, about our factories, farms, steel mills, small towns and humble homes, with the last, lingering words: “This work will break our bodies/ But it only builds our souls.” With output like this Ronnie Fauss can’t go wrong. Here is a fine album by an Americana singer-songwriter who has finally made his mark. He will go much further.“ (Dave Clarke, www.americana-uk.com)

"Songs as catchy as the titles are memorable" (New York Times)

"A cross between Steve Earle & Gram Parsons" (Vanity Fair)

Ronnie Fauss, vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica
Sadler Vaden, guitar, 12-string guitar, background vocals
Devin Malone, guitar, lap steel guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin
Chris Tuttle, accordion, piano, Hammond b-3 organ
David LaBruyere, bass
Sigurdur Birkis, drums, percussion

Tracklist:
01. Ronnie Fauss - Another Town (3:25)
02. Ronnie Fauss - A Natural End (3:24)
03. Ronnie Fauss - The Big Catch (3:24)
04. Ronnie Fauss - Eighteen Wheels (feat. Rhett Miller) (3:17)
05. Ronnie Fauss - A Place Out In The Country (3:01)
06. Ronnie Fauss - Never Gonna Last (3:00)
07. Ronnie Fauss - I'm Sorry Baby (That's Just The Way It Goes) (3:10)
08. Ronnie Fauss - Song For Zula (4:57)
09. Ronnie Fauss - I Can't Make You Happy (3:23)
10. Ronnie Fauss - Old Life (3:08)
11. Ronnie Fauss - Come On Down (3:50)