If you are not super familiar with the sounds of singer-songwriter Shane Larmand then let us get you up to speed as the artist has recently delivered an album worth of songs that hint at personal topics and inner thoughts and has a somewhat confluent tone that sticks strong throughout the record.
The album blends roots rock with country, singer-songwriter, folk, and more.
The release is called "National Ramble" and throughout it, you have a bit of an expansive approach to those genres with full band ensembles and a somewhat picturesque feel some of the time.
All in all, this was a beautiful record and certainly gives you some insight into the artist himself.
You do indeed get some roots-style instrumentation like banjo for example along with plenty of acoustic guitar, but the vocals are the thing that draws you to a lot of these songs and takes you for little musical journeys if you will.
"National Ramble is about so many things for me. First, it's very much about my daughter. She is adopted and is the culmination of so many years of fertility issues and difficulties my wife and I suffered in trying to build our family. Much of that is summed up in the song "Diamonds and Dust." Also, she showed up out of the blue as we learned she was being born and then became her parents in literally 3 days! This is summed up in "Prairie Sky." There is mention of a "Sweet Prairie girl, wild as the tornado whirls" in "Tennessee Cross" and though that wasn't originally written for her, because it's her name it always makes me think of her, because she is a little wild one! As well, I made the bold choice to alter some of the lyrics in "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young to reflect her, rather than a lover, like what is portrayed in the original. You can hear those changes in the second verse. Finally, all of these songs I mostly practiced and wrote while singing to her and bouncing her in her little chair as a newborn. Those are the greatest memories.
Secondly, the record's release helped me show and believe that even though I have a full-time job as a music and art teacher, a wife, a 1-year-old daughter and I'm just about 50 years old, that I can still chase dreams and live a creative life.” - Shane Larmand
This is like an album of mountain songs and that vibe is heavy as you listen through this wonderful record.
We are giving this a 9 out of 10 because it's got amazing arrangements, and that personal approach really works well for Shane as the songs have an impact.
You can find out more by listening to his Spotify, checking out his TikTok, jumping onto his Instagram, or visiting his website.
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