Ashley Raines

“His bourbon-bold and blissful vocals breathe through the whole album, a very euphoric affair featuring a confidence and caliber of material easily the equal of a legend like Tim Rose or fellow “desperate Western” Sean Rowe. These are art songs made up of traditional elements, but transcend mainstream genres by coming together like a classic album by Leonard Cohen or early Tom Waits” - No Depression

“Ashley Raines is a keen observer of the age-old struggles between sin and everything, between sin and whatever qualifies as its master— whatever walks it. His deep and cutting voice is one that you could find yourself hearing when no one else is around. He might be your internal monologue.” - PASTE

Ashley Raines & The New West Revue have a powerful new album of Americana-soul crafted out of astonishing musical proficiency, showcasing Raines' skills as a top-level singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. This Midwestern-raised poet and performer has spent years perfecting his rugged and confident sound, based around his beautifully aching voice and featuring his custom-made Weissenborn guitar sound.

It Could Be Worse is a wholly formed work, disciplined and expressive, full of hard weather (the opening title track, moaning over skeletal bass and Raines’ shimmer and twang guitar), and soft mornings after, such as the folk-R&B of “Better Days.” The first smoldering minutes of “Old Time Religion” polishes up the ebony oak of an altar, then the unleashed chorus sets the whole church on fire. Similarly moving, “Man’s Savage Rapine” moves from spare parlor room piano as the world’s spiritual poverty is mourned, yet ends on a haunting bed of oddly calming strings. Together, the elegant songs sound like one long beautiful hymnal of a world tottering on the edge of damnation or salvation.

The album was produced by notable singer-songwriter Don Conoscenti with whom Raines has been collaborating with for over fifteen years. The exception is “Old Time Religion,” which features production and musical accompaniment by like-minded, cinematic anthem craftsman David Baerwald (from David + David, Sheryl Crow’s Tuesday Night Music Club, Moulin Rouge).

RIYL: Sean Rowe, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits
TRY: #6, 3, 4, 10

Download full album here:
https://www.piratepirate.com/downloads/

More Info Here:
http://www.ashleyrainesmusic.com/
https://ashleyrainesmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/GSMusicPublicity
https://soundcloud.com/ashleyrainesofficial