Review- Scott Ballew: Rio Bravo
The problem with Scott Ballew is that you don’t know where to begin. Peeking into his bio is like embarking on a journey through a fascinating novel with chapters that each hold their own appeal, yet collectively seem too extraordinary to belong to just one man. From his days as a football star to his ventures in filmmaking and battles with addiction, and now emerging as a songwriter, Ballew's 40 years have been a whirlwind of experiences that are anything but ordinary. It's often said that experiences shape a songwriter, and if that's true, Ballew has that in spades. His introduction to Terry Allen, courtesy of their mutual friend Ryan Bingham, proved to be a pivotal moment, altering Ballew's perspective on life and art. Despite not venturing into songwriting until the age of 37, Ballew views writing as more than just a creative pursuit; it's a means of survival. Now, with his third album, Rio Bravo, set to release everywhere on March 29th, Ballew continues to carve his unique path in the world of music.
Rio Bravo is an album that warrants multiple listens. With each playthrough, I discovered new layers of lyrics, phrases, or instruments that had previously escaped my notice. While Ballew's vocals may carry a raw and occasionally unrefined quality at times, the album as a whole is far from lacking in polish. At its heart, the album digs into the theme of change, exploring personal evolution, the ebb and flow between beginnings and endings, and the journey towards acceptance of life and its uncontrollable events. You can find the theme from the first line of the opening song, “True Love Can’t Surf”:
“People, they don’t change / It’s like hugging a crashing wave / Expecting it not to break”
Song by song, Ballew explores this theme by drawing from his personal experiences. Whether craving redemption in "Mutiny" or discovering salvation through surrender in "Old Fashioned," Ballew's songwriting reflects a sincerity born from navigating rock bottom and understanding that the only path forward is upward.
Although each track on the album has its own high points, I have to highlight a few of my favorite tracks on the album, which are absolutely not to be missed. Given Ballew's background as a filmmaker, it's no surprise that the entire Rio Bravo album sounds as if it were tailor-made to serve as a soundtrack, but one standout in particular is "Suicide Squeeze," which evokes the essence of a grainy Super 8 film from the 70s, particularly with its chorus:
“And you learn how to live / As if you’re someone to love / Run through the streets like your best is enough / The Licorice queens / And Their pinball machines / Will bring you on home / Like a suicide squeeze”
The visuals contained within the song, “Impossible Smile” may be my favorite within the whole album. The inspiration behind the song stems from Ballew's personal experience of never having been married and often feeling like a perpetual “3rd wheel (or 5th or 7th or 9th) pretty much my entire life.”
“Remember that New Years / When I hit on your sister / She looked just like you / With her cocaine and glitter / She laughed in my face / And said God Bless your soul / LA at Midnight / Not a car on the road”
The song also contains one of Ballew’s favorite lines on the album, “One thousand Christmas cards, the cause of my death.” The line came to him after he sorted through a stack of unopened Christmas cards during what he describes as a, “particularly lonely holiday season;” And was the catalyst that prompted the writing of the song.
Sometimes it's just a single line that resonates with me, prompting me to write it down and replay the song to fully grasp its significance before I forget it. Take, for instance, "I'd rather be sentimental than cynical" from the track "A Funny Masterpiece," a song Ballew considers the most autobiographical on the album. Alternatively, there are lyrics in "Trouble Darling" that I strongly identify with, such as "the only thing I know is I don't know a thing." Occasionally, it's not merely the lyrics, but also the music itself that captivates me. One perfect example would be “True Love Can’t Surf” which “slowly introduces each instrument and person that touched the record one layer at a time. Even the sound mixer and engineer sing on it. It’s the only song where each person is playing or singing something.” The gradual crescendo of all the voices together is really something special.
It's no wonder that a skilled filmmaker like Ballew has managed to seamlessly transfer his visual storytelling abilities into the realm of songwriting, resulting in the captivating album, Rio Bravo. This album warrants multiple listens, not just for its exceptional songwriting quality, but also because it invites you to dive deeply into the themes, lyrics, and musical details that Ballew has skillfully woven throughout.
Find out more about Scott Ballew at the links below:
