Rat Wakes Red is in a constant state of mourning and wonder. Summer 2010 brings "Acres". The new LP would suggest a prolonged elegy to the dead and awakening. It is a spectacle of simple sounds: piano, acoustic guitar, synths, organ, strings, woodwinds, drums, tin whistle and many, many voices. James Raftery sings, plays, plucks and blows. Jeral Benjamin returns to produce and provide violas while woodwind stars chime in to emboss the layered lather. Matt Raftery adds the needed kick from his drums while Hannah Fury lends her voice to “Always”. The ensuing song service is sung from the heavens inside, like an internal choir and orchestra. It comes from loss, change, death, and new beginnings. A slow burn of sad, beautiful dark nights of the soul.
Rat Wakes Red is home to the songs of James Raftery. On recordings, he plays many of the parts himself, joined by Jeral Benjamin on strings and production. Two albums have featured Christy Davis on drums and John Werner on electric guitar. New members include Matt Raftery on drums and Andy Kuusisto on bass.
Dizzy on Daddy, the first album, featured the spare lineup of James on acoustic guitar, voice, and found sounds, and Jeral's viola multi-tracked into a lush, romantic, edgy song cycle of heartache and yearning. A sad and sweet wall of sound.
2005's Horizon Drops was the electric flipside to the previous acoustic rush. Christy Davis of Mold and Kansas State Flower added drums to James' electric guitar, keyboards and vocals. The songs were faster, crunchy rock nuggets full of energy, hooks and loud/soft lurches.
2007 brought Energy Garage, a 4-song EP/DVD to sate until work on the new full-length is finished.
2010's Acres is out now.
Rat Wakes Red has played live shows from New York City to Toronto and opened for such artists as Bob Mould, Hayden, and Sloan.
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