Loud & Lonesome is an album by the American musician Eric Ambel.[3][4] The album is credited to Eric Ambel and Roscoe's Gang, with Ambel adopting his Roscoe persona.[5][6] It was first released by Belgium's Survival Europe record label.[7]
| Loud & Lonesome | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | 1994, Belgium 1995, United States |
| Genre | Rock, roots rock[1] |
| Label | Survival Europe East Side Digital[2] |
| Producer | Eric Ambel |
The album was reissued in 2004, via Ambel's Lakeside Lounge Records.[8]
Production
editThe album was written with Dan Baird, Kevin Salem, and Dan Zanes, among others.[9] Produced by Ambel, it was recorded with drummer Keith Lervreault, of Blood Oranges, and bass player Andy York, who had played with John Mellencamp.[10][11]
A hidden track at the end of the album, "Frozen Head State Park", marked the recording debut of Ambel's Yayhoos.[12]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| Entertainment Weekly | A−[6] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [10] |
| The Province | [14] |
| The Record | [15] |
No Depression thought that Ambel's "urgent guitar playing repeatedly breaks through the themes of self-imposed isolation."[5] Trouser Press wrote that, "with his overdriven, wailing guitar and reedy vocals, [Ambel] favors the more rock side of the (don’t-call-it) cowpunk equation, sounding like a less-ravaged Neil Young."[9] The Record praised the "ferocious guitar work."[15]
Entertainment Weekly opined that Loud & Lonesome "evokes Texas via the Lower East Side, on the strength of rough-hewn stylings and achy ballads."[6] Guitar Player wrote: "Blending tremoloed chords, searing feedback, clanging riffs, ringing flat-top, and tangy country bends, Ambel conjures a desolate campfire lit by blinking neon and littered with empty beer cans."[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the album "a rugged platter ... delivered with the authority of Zuma-era Neil Young."[17]
AllMusic wrote: "A tougher and darker effort than one might expect from Ambel, Loud and Lonesome isn't always an easy listen, but it's certainly a rewarding one."[13]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Song for the Walls" | |
| 2. | "Miles from the Machine" | |
| 3. | "Way Outside" | |
| 4. | "Three Feet Under" | |
| 5. | "I'm Not Alone" | |
| 6. | "One More Moment Gone" | |
| 7. | "Downtown at Midnight" | |
| 8. | "The Rain Won't Stop" | |
| 9. | "Long Gone Dream" | |
| 10. | "Autumn Rose" | |
| 11. | "Red Apple Juice" |
References
edit- ^ "New & Noteworthy Roots Rock Titles". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 17. Apr 29, 1995. p. 94.
- ^ Smith, Chris (May 29, 1995). "Recorded Music". New York. Vol. 28, no. 22. p. 93.
- ^ "Eric Ambel Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
- ^ Maley, Dan (July 14, 1995). "Strong Lineup Should Have Liz Reed Rockin'". The Telegraph. p. D8.
- ^ a b "Eric Ambel – Loud & Lonesome". No Depression. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Loud & Lonesome". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
- ^ Herndon, David (4 Sep 1994). "It's a Twang Thang". Fanfare. Newsday. p. 17.
- ^ Morris, Chris (May 1, 2004). "Record Label Next Venture for Veteran Rocker Ambel". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 18. p. 46.
- ^ a b "Eric Ambel". Trouser Press. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 327.
- ^ Himes, Geoffrey (October 31, 2023). "The Forgotten Triumph of East Side Digital Records". Music Features. Paste.
- ^ Gettelman, Parry. "For Eric Ambel, It's Sound That Counts". OrlandoSentinel. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
- ^ a b "Loud & Lonesome". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
- ^ Harrison, Tom (1 May 1997). "Eric Ambel & Roscoe's Gang: Loud and Lonesome (ESD)". The Province. p. B26.
- ^ a b Edel, Raymond A. (September 15, 1995). "Quick Spins". Lifestyle/Previews. The Record. p. 6.
- ^ Ellis, Andy (Sep 1995). "Loud & Lonesome by Eric Ambel & Roscoe's Gang". Guitar Player. Vol. 29, no. 9. p. 120.
- ^ DeLuca, Dean (4 Aug 1995). "One Roots Icon and Many Votaries Arrive". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 17.