One-man-band Richard Turgeon has been lauded by both fans and critics for attentive songwriting steeped in traditional rock styles. The San Francisco Bay Area resident recently released his fourth studio album, Sea Change, which promises to pull in continual praise.
Turgeon must have a sixth sense, because “Summer Revolution” was penned and recorded several months before the virus crisis arrived and our lives were drastically altered. Helmed by a raw urgency, the eerily timely sentiment pounds purposely to a showing of super-strength riffs and a fist-pumping chorus.
On the other hand, “Still Not Ready to Die” was inspired by the strict rules and regulations prompted by the pandemic. Crackling with hard-rocking gusto, the irresistibly catchy cut pitches a positive outlook amid such dire circumstances.
Subsequent themes addressed on Sea Change (Kool Kat Musik) include Charles Manson and his family of freaky followers on the angst-ridden punch and kick of “Never Leaving California”; and addiction on “The Journey,” an epic expedition of amplified folk rock rising and falling with paralyzing rhythms accompanied by explosions of distorted guitar jams.
A moving mid-paced meditation on growing older, “Sunset” beams with beauty to a country-pop feel, where songs like “Car Crash” and “Running For Your Life” step in as straight-up rockers.
Appearing earlier this year in a documentary called After the Game, the aptly titled “Higher” soars to the skies with electrifying motions while encouraging listeners to put their best foot forward and go for the gold.
From track to track, Sea Change observes Richard Turgeon operating at top form. His instrumental skills (particularly his guitar playing) are consistently powerful, while his vocals – which offer a hint of a Southern accent parallel to John Fogerty and Tom Petty – are equally assertive. Each song on the album contains a hail of hooks, making for an audio experience you will want to return to again and again.
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