Chuck Ragan – The Flame In The Flood

The prospect of gravel-toned folk soloist Chuck Ragan writing a videogame soundtrack might sound foreign – at least until learning that the game in question is the rustic river navigating, natural resource scavenging survival quest, The Flame In The Flood.  Such themes feel like an intuitive fit for Ragan’s earthy tones on paper, and come across like an extension of his typical solo personae in execution.  Composed of ten upbeat yet moody songs, Ragan adjusts his songwriting to mirror the game’s sense of vast exploration and discovery.  Whether lyric or instrumentally based, Ragan communicates a deep sense of evolving atmosphere.

Opening with the full-band contributions of backing instrumentalists The Camaraderie, Ragan establishes a somber, humanizing groundwork.  With a cautious tempo, the title track synthesizes the pedal steel and emotive violin strokes with the type of personal weight that might flood one’s sentiment at the onset of a grand adventure.  “In the backwaters beyond fables and fears, there’s freedom in moving on,” expresses Ragan with sense of circumspect curiosity, masking the dualling factors of trepidation and excitement.  “Gathering Wood” follows suit, communicating a sense of initial liberation in the opening moments of an inaugural campfire.  Jovially plucked acoustics saunter hopefully as Ragan establishes a sense of companionship (offered in the game by your faithful canine) in the line, “you’ll be there for me in the dark, in the wind, in the rain.”  

Other typical Chuck Ragan-type anthems like “Loup Garou” and “Landsick” fill the track listing with plenty of toe tapping, finger snapping folk-driven tunes.  While not the most distinct products of Ragan’s brand, others like “Cover Me Gently” offer up a few surprises, including a vocal appearance by Revival Tour mainstay Jon Snodgrass.  Of particular note, album closer “What We Leave Behind” concludes on a sense of hope and accomplishment.  Integrating the sort of clean-calling vocals “ohh-ohhs” more expected in the indie world (think Bastille-lite), Ragan offers a magnificent send off to a personal journey.

And of course there are the clear instrumental calls of “In The Eddy” and “Spanish Moss.”  While running at a somewhat indulgent length for instrumental tracks on a predominantly vocal album, “In The Eddy’s” sense of distant exploration and isolation resonate like the crackling embers in a midnight campfire.  Each minimally plucked note hits home like the dying light of a final flickering flame – marking the departure of the initial excitement.  “Spanish Moss” emerges with similar effect, this time shining the lamplight squarely on melancholy violin notes akin to early Murder By Death.  While they might warrant skipping over with repeat listens, they certainly fit the bill for their virtual intent.

Overall, The Flame In The Flood is fairly typical of Chuck Ragan’s discography.  So much so that the album will likely gain a reputation as a “secret” album.  Much like Ragan’s soundtrack for the movie It’s Better In The Wind, The Flame In The Flood was handled and released internally by Ragan’s own Ten Four Records, placing it apart from his formal offerings through SideOneDummy Records.  But unlike It’s Better In The Wind, The Flame In The Flood better reflects the latter, making for a rewarding discovery for fans looking for another yet dose of rustic, tried and true Americana.