Suicide Medicine [Vinyl]

Rocky Votolato | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (July 15, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Second Nature
• ASIN: B00193F2VY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,879 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Light and the Sound

2. Suicide Medicine

3. I'll Catch You

4. Automatic Rifle

5. Every Red Cent

6. Montana

7. Alabaster

8. The City Is Calling

9. Secrets of a Salesman

10. Prison Is Private Property

11. Death-Right

12. Mix Tapes/Cellmates

Editorial Reviews

Rocky Votolato's third solo full-length, Suicide Medicine is a stripped down and sparse masterpiece -- Rocky's voice soars across dark lyrical musings on family, love, music, and the conflicts that arise from his commitment to all three. Suicide Medicine shares commonalities with the new batch of twenty-something singer-songwriters of Rocky's genre, but Rocky surpasses them by channeling early Mark Eitzel, Richard Buckner, and the stripped down, poetic storytelling of Steve Earle and Joe Henry. Recorded and produced by Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla, Suicide Medicine's elegant pathos, compelling nature, and beauty intertwine somber ballads, acoustic laments, and driven rock, as Rocky's rich and unmistakable voice guides and caresses twelve new tracks. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best newcomers to the solo acoustic field, October 16, 2004

By 

Steven Liddicoat (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suicide Medicine (Audio CD)

Thank God for Rocky Votolato.

In this era of Chris Carrabba, it seems that every man under the age of 30 who can play acoustic guitar has suddenly decided that they have suffered years of emotional oppression and that, damn it, they are ready to tell the world about it. Behind a nearly tangible wall of tears and embarrassing emotional out bursts naturally. This degree of "emo" lyrical content and cliché tracks about the girl who broke your heart has absolutely saturated the world of solo man with guitar music.

Enter Rocky Votolato who thankfully brings a completely mature attitude to the plate. Maturity however, doesn't mean he sacrifices any emotional power. He simply delivers this power intelligently without embarrassing himself or anyone else. His voice is powerful and bleeding emotion, but it does so without whining or breaking. He sings with such conviction that he is demanding your attention, and you are grateful to give it. What's even more welcome is that he is singing about more than relationships. There are more than one kind of heartbreak in this world and Rocky understands that. Topics such as death, politics, abuse, addiction and many other degrees of heartache and suffering are all covered with compassion and overwhelming insight. He also understands that from every dark period in life there is hope on the other side. He fills his songs both with the sense of loss and pain associated with such hurtful topics, but he also instills hope and optimism.

Ultimately this is one of the best albums in recent memory and anyone who enjoys simple but powerful music owes it to themselves to give this a look.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars always amazing, March 2, 2004

By 

"lesjocilj" (san francisco, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suicide Medicine (Audio CD)

this new album by rocky is great. it's different than all his other ones, it has a much more political, vibe which is good considering the times. ALL of his prior releases are amazing as well. you should check out his self titled album and "burning my travels clean." most of his early albums are just him with his guitar, like his self titled, amazingly beautiful and "burning" is his first cd with a band. I am from seattle and have seen him live about a 100 times. he is great live and on cd. BUY IT.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply one of the Best albums ever!, December 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Suicide Medicine (Audio CD)

If you listen to music you will love this record! Rocky has a voice like no other, yet he reminds you of virtually ever good rock/folk superstar you've ever heard..and how often is that a good thing? Dylan and Schwarzenbach may be some of his influances (for a reason) but with this album they don't hold a candle to Rocky. If this album isn't in your collection then it isn't complete. This has to be one of the best records of 2003 - My mom even loves this record.