Review
Chuck Ragan / Sam Russo / Jimmy Islip / Helen Chambers – Split LP
(Specialist Subjects Records)
Words: Richard Heaven
I guess you could say this is a mixtape on vinyl, a mixtape compiled by the illustrious Chuck Ragan (of solo and Hot Water Music fame) to showcase his 3 favourite UK acoustic acts. With a reputation like Chucks, who are we to not pay attention?
If you’ve found this LP then there’s a good chance that you know how Chuck Ragan sounds. Chuck contributes three covers to this split – Leatherface, Helen Chambers and Darren Gibson – with all the gruff charm we’ve come to expect from the folk-punk crossover icon. I feel that by choosing to simply record covers for this split Chuck has allowed the other three artists to truly shine and receive the recognition they deserve. Covers might be normally considered B sides, but Chuck pulls them off well enough to stand alongside the other acts on this split.
Helen Chambers brings the most unashamedly country influenced tracks to the table. Her upbeat lyrics have an almost naive optimism to them, but her voice lets the tracks down for me. She’s a talented songwriter with a impressive voice, but she may be just a little too much for those who picked up this record with a punkier background.
I don’t know how Jimmy Islip has slipped under my radar – this is exactly the acoustic punk that I love. Hailing from Leeds, Jimmy sings songs about small towns and being left behind, all with a fist in the air chorus and a bucketful of heart. His three songs hint at the best parts of both this LP’s curator and early Against Me! If you enjoyed Chapter Eleven or Adam Bennett, you could do a lot worse then discovering Jimmy Islip for yourself.
Sam Russo has earned himself quite a reputation with a series of small releases and sporadic, well received shows keeping his name on the tongues of the UK acoustic punk scene. His songs showcase the simple, precise story telling that has won the hearts of so many before this. It sounds better produced then anything else Sam’s released and the electric guitar in the background simply supports his words, never overpowering him.
There’s something for everyone here – I personally thought that Sam Russo and Jimmy Islip stole the LP – and you’d be a fool not to give this release the time it deserves. A great release by a great label.
