Reviews

Feast or Famine

Chuck Ragan

Released: Aug 7, 2007
Label: SideOneDummy Records
Reviewed by: Michelle Stoffel
12 comments

Before I even unpeeled the wrapper from Chuck's studio debut, Feast Or Famine, I knew I wouldn't like it as much as Los Feliz, its live predecessor. I will always prefer live over studio, especially with Chuck Ragan. I don't think any artist currently operating within the umbrella of punk music is more suited to a live recording than Chuck. The stripped down acoustic set on Los Feliz provided the perfect showcase for his passionate performance. Backed by a few guest performers and a supportive audience, Los Feliz wanted for nothing. I simply couldn't imagine a perfected, produced studio album topping that.

Well, Feast Or Famine doesn't top Los Feliz, but it's damn good, like really fucking good, because no matter how Chuck's songs are produced, they're finely crafted, heartfelt, truthful, and beautiful songs. I can't discount the value just because I prefer live over studio.

Feast Or Famine shares half its tracks with Los Feliz: "The Boat," "For Broken Ears," "California Burritos," "It's What You Will," "Do You Pray," and "Symmetry." Like Los Feliz, the songs on Feast Or Famine are strung together well and form a complete auditory package. The redone songs sound very similar to their live counterparts, plus the addition of a few minor sound effects: deep drum beats, a little woodblock, things like that. The sound quality on Feast Or Famine is better as well, which is nice but not really important to me.

"The Grove" reminds me of tracks off the solo work Joe Strummer's did with the Mescalaroes; it has that earthy/global/reggae kind of beat. "Between the Lines" has a ‘John Henry was a steel-driving man' feel to it. Check your fourth grade music class memory, I'm sure it's there somewhere. "Hearts of Stone" includes an accordion in the background and simple acoustic guitars. "Do What You Do," which features a beautiful Italian-piazza style mandolin, ends with almost five minutes of white space. This is my only complaint with the album. It sounds particularly empty when compared to the cheers of applause. I definitely prefer the warmth of multiple people echoing the enjoyment of a show as a CD stopper to a digital sea.

Comparatively, the songs from Los Feliz that were not included on Feast Or Famine are equal in quality to the new ones added on. So basically an equilibrium between Chuck's two album is achieved. Although I listened to the album and wrote this review very deliberatively, trying to compare the two, I honestly love both of them. Chuck Ragan is an amazing songwriter, and even better performer. Chuck's music just make me feel good. It makes my Carrie-Underwood-album owning roommate feel good. It makes my industrial goth friends feel good. It makes my dog feel good. You really can't ask for any better.