Hello Reader,
Welcome back. Hope that you’re well.
Today we’re going to delve into Radio Free ABQ. The Albuquerque-based band is led by former long-time Cincinnati and Chicago resident, and frontman Dave Purcell. Musically, he’s best known for being in the band Pike 27 for more than a decade. After Pike 27, Purcell founded Ghost Man On Second, an instrumental quartet that leaned on a wider range of influences than Pike 27. In addition to music, Purcell has an extensive background in academia having a career as a sociologist, researcher, and educator earning his PhD in 2007.
Once settled in Albuquerque, Purcell loaned himself out, drumming for other artists for a year while he began to construct a new band, Radio Free ABQ. According to the album’s press release, the band was based upon “…concepts Dave scribbled down for his new project manifesto after listening to Joe Strummer’s radio show on BBC World Service: ‘Shortwave radio in the attic at midnight. A Jim Jarmusch soundtrack. Good grooves. Somewhere between London, Kingston, New Orleans, and Memphis. A musical conversation among us and with the audience.'” As a lover of all the proper nouns mentioned, that sounds fantastic to me. Right in my wheelhouse and probably yours too, right?
In Summer 2021, a band that’s described as Americana, roots rock, alternative and desert noir among other genres, became official. Purcell is the drummer, songwriter, and lead vocalist. His bandmates include Tom Andes (guitar, vocals), Scott Brewer (bass, vocals), Ryan Goodhue (keyboards, vocals), and Travis Rourk (trombone, synth, guitar, vocals).
And now the band’s debut album, Destination is also the debut release on the Hamlet Street Records label on Friday, November 1st for your listening pleasure. In the album’s press release, Purcell elaborates on Destination by stating, “landing in the space between Wilco and Calexico. It’s an ambitious record with adventurous production–a dozen songs ranging from jangly Americana to cinematic instrumentals. I like how they came together to tell a cohesive story.” I’m intrigued to listen to it already.
The album’s press release also shed some light on how best to purchase the album saying, “A limited run of 200 CDs with a full-color four-panel jacket, a beautiful eight-page lyrics insert, and a customized art piece for each CD is available only” at their Bandcamp page. Which also offers digital format.
Giving credit where it’s due. Destination album credits:
- Radio Free ABQ is:
Dave Purcell: vocals, drums, percussion, mandolin, rhythm guitar, synth, samples
Scott Brewer: bass, backing vocals
Ryan Goodhue: keyboards, accordion, piano, backing vocals
Travis Rourk: trombone, rhythm guitar, synth, backing vocals - Special guests:
- Brian Lovely: lead & rhythm guitars on “Tito (Far Away, Not Lonely)”, “Don’t Leave Me Hanging On”, “Before It’s Gone”, “Playing For Keeps”, “Chapala, Quizas”, “Peligro En La Demora”, “Run Past Temptation”, and “Mojave Phone Booth”
- Mike Fair: lead & rhythm guitars on “Figure It Out”, “Far Away From Everything”, “Wolves, Louder (excerpt)”, “Run Past Temptation”, “End Of The World”
- Amy Purcell: composed and read spoken word piece on “Mojave Phone Booth”
- Tom Andes: backing vocals on “End Of The World”
- Recorded and mixed by Matthew Tobias at Empty House Studio.
- Produced by Dave Purcell + Matthew Tobias.
- Mastered by Doug Van Sloun at Focus Mastering.
- All songs written by Dave Purcell (BMI) except for “Run Past Temptation,” written by Dave Purcell (BMI), Michael Paul Fair (BMI), Andy Hittle, Aaron Zlatkin (BMI).
- Graphic design by VOA Design. All photos in the liner notes by Dave Purcell except: Before It’s Gone (Travis Estell); Don’t Leave Me Hanging On and cover image (Adobe Stock).
- “Cherta” sample on “Wolves, Louder (excerpt)” provided by Rycat at Priyom.org. Typewriterand Mexico crowd samples licensed from BBC Complete/Pro Sound Effects and Pond5, respectively. All other samples are public domain.
And now for some for both your ears and eyes!
Exploring with Tito with fantastic animation from Animation by Fahad Kabir in the video for the song, “Tito (Far Away, Not Lonely)”:
(All credits and rights to Radio Free ABQ)
The resolute, I’m not going to take it anymore mentality within the song, “Playing For Keeps”:
(All credits and rights to Radio Free ABQ)
The video in which all lyrical phrases are represented in the song, “Figure It Out”:
(All credits and rights to Radio Free ABQ)
Overall, Destination is a wonderfully done concept album. With themes of meaning and searching and adventure. Of being found, and not lost. Of being remembered. Purcell has a skill of superb storytelling and creating perspective in an incredibly grounded and human way. If you’re looking for an excellent singer-songwriter album for the reasons mentioned in the previous sentence, look no further. This is arguably one of 2024’s best written albums and there are more than a handful of examples of songs that prove the assertion. Purcell’s vocals are among the best you’ll hear out of the Americana adjacent genres this year. In addition, each and every artist on the album is extremely talented at their craft, and all play well together. And they get time on their own to shine. The band’s sound is both unique and memorable. Purcell is a top-notch bandleader, carefully crafting something special with this band and album. The chances that were taken landed for the most part. There’s no glaring weakness on this album. There is exceptional sonic quality throughout this album. Kudos all around to all that contributed.
In the album’s opening song, “Tito (Far Away, Not Lonely)” its lyrics tell an adventurous tale from the mind of a child, Tito who seeks connection with distant planets. He has a dog Luna who often is on the journeys within Tito’s mind as well. The melody instantly grabs ahold of you with the early twang from the guitar, setting the mood west of Texas in the best ways. The piano and synth from Goodhue are gorgeous and well-placed additions that not only add to the sound but bounce off it as well. A little past halfway into the song, the drums from Purcell and bass groove from Brewer reset the melody to a quieter pace allowing for radio transmission samples to be placed to great effect. Purcell’s vocal delivery is crisp and inviting, welcoming you along the journey while listening to this album.
“Don’t Leave Me Hang On” sees someone at the end of their road, in a frustrated state, pleading for a quicker end. In the album’s songwriter notes, Purcell said that was inspired by the Gord Downie the lead singer-songwriter of the incredible Canadian group, The Tragically Hip, and his rare brain cancer. The well-crafted lyrics do take you to that end-of-life perspective and Purcell’s weary vocal delivery matches and completes the mood fantastically. The melody is spirited but not simple, complete with some melodic shifts and your expected rhythm section consisting of drums, and guitars with southwest twang.
The next song, “Before It’s Gone” introduces the perspective of someone fighting a losing battle within their mind due to mental illness. Unfortunately, an extremely talented writer who fought Schizophrenia. In the album’s songwriter notes, Purcell states that he was inspired by Robert Lowry “(who) was a celebrated writer from Cincinnati who achieved fame in New York City during the 1950s. At the peak of his success, he succumbed to serious mental health issues. In his final years, Lowry was destitute and homeless, yet he continued to write every morning until his death in a VA hospital in 1994.” Again Purcell, writes in such an empathetic and human perspective, putting us in the shoes of the character within the song, again. So brilliantly done, Purcell! The choruses are a gut punch in the best way, reminding us of the despondency. The brass additions from Rourk to the melody add some triumphant inflections to the adamant lyrical pleas. The melody itself begins with some familiar notes, reminding the listener of a spaghetti western before picking up pace that is aided by Purcell, marching drumbeats.
The inspiration for the song, “Playing For Keeps” according to the songwriter notes, “This song marks the beginning of reclaiming my life, serving as an absolute ‘fuck you’ to those people. [unhappy academics with dehumanizing processes] On a lighter note, I once walked by a tattoo shop, and the owner, high as a kite, pointed to my tattoo and said, ‘Hey man, that’s Don Coyote, I done him once!'” I love that anecdote about Don Quixote ink. The melody is energetic and led by a danceable rhythm anchored by Lovely’s masterful guitar work. Purcell’s drumming and vocals are on a mission, focused on moving forward. Which it achieves. There’s a memorable refrain within the chorus as well.
The guitar chords that open “Figure It Out” are a beautiful intro to the song. This melody to my ears, is the most straightforward roots rock on the album to date. Some lush instrumentation from the drums and guitars. The melody is paired with the most varied characters within the lyrics, resulting in a fever dream that you’ll want to listen to again and again. It works! The chorus is one Purcell had been working on for years and I’m glad he was able to put a melody and more lyrics down so he could share it with us. It’s catchy and repeatable as hell. Crowds will be repeating it at live shows soon enough. There’s some great harmonies within this song. As great as Purcell’s voice is, these are welcomed additions.
“Far Away From Everything” begins with a raucous melody anchored by keys from Goodhue and driving drums and soon after features perfect harmonies from the band that shine during the refrains within the chorus. The harmonies match well with Purcell’s own vocals. The lyrics long for a change, a fresh start in a new locale.
“Wolves, Louder (excerpt)” is the first interlude and shortest song on the album. Its melody includes some great samples and leads well into the exploration of the second side of the album.
Which leads well into another instrumental, “Chapala, Quizas”. The melody especially with the additions of brass, invokes a south of the border vibe. A melody that may recall the fabulous band Calexico to your ears. Fittingly so as Chapala is a municipality in Mexico, located about 30 miles from the large city of Guadalajara. Chapala is a city Purcell and his wife are quite find of.
The next song, “Peligro En La Demora” translates to there is danger in delay. According to the songwriter’s notes, “The lyrics were inspired by author Paul Theroux’s terrific book On The Plane of Snakes, which chronicles his epic journey along the US/Mexico border and down to Chiapas, near the Guatemalan border.” This melody rocks, from its brass to its danceable grooves and rhythm. It’s one of my favorites on the album, so far. The vocal delivery and lyrics are confident, taking no time to stop as it moves forward in time.
In his songwriter notes, Purcell states, of the instrumental “Run Past Temptation” that, “My musical intent was to land between Kingston and New Orleans. The title was inspired by my beloved dog, Seamus, who always wanted to be a good boy and knew he wasn’t supposed to bark at other dogs. When another dog approached on a walk, he would look back at me and then tear off running, with me barely keeping up at the other end of the leash. I started saying that he was “running past temptation.” There’s a decent almost running pace to this one, fittingly so. The instrumentation is heavy on brass, but also allows for some fabulous guitar solos and tight drumming.
“End Of The World” has a melody that could fit within the heart of New Orleans while sharing the brotherhood of an Irish pub setting. There’s a lot to like within the melody of this one. The song is over four minutes, but feels like a whirlwind, that will warm your heart. The lyrics and harmonies act as singalong chants in the best ways. This is another song that will play wonderfully for the band and audience live.
“Mojave Phone Booth” is the fourth and final instrumental on Destination. We’ve reached our destination as confirmed by the spoken word telephone sounding recording from Amy Purcell. The stories origins about an isolated phone booth are interesting.
Destination gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. You know an album is good when you also like the instrumentals. Always listen to each song in order. Purcell’s composition, songwriting and singing talent are well worth 4.5 Scum Drops. Add in some talented backing musicians and an adventurous concept album and the result is a great listening experience. Mission accomplished. The album slides into the lower end of the range, which puts it within the 84th-87th percentile for all new albums in 2024. Add this album to your collection on the format of your choosing!
Destination Track listing [song length]
- Tito (Far Away, Not Lonely) [4:36]
- Don’t Leave Me Hang On [2:49]
- Before It’s Gone [5:20]
- Playing For Keeps [3:39]
- Figure It Out [3:59]
- Far Away From Everything [4:32]
- Wolves, Louder (excerpt) [1:17]
- Chapala, Quizas [3:24]
- Peligro En La Demora [5:08]
- Run Past Temptation [3:39]
- End Of The World [4:26]
- Mojave Phone Booth [3:59]
Total runtime: 46:58
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The listening process from start to finish with Destination will take you less than 50 minutes each time you listen. Twice? That’s a little more than an hour and a half, but well worth the journey. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
The band’s website has everything you need and more, including but not limited to their Facebook page, their Instagram page, and other socials and info.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
