Seattle musician Rocky Votolato’s eighth studio album, True Devotion, marks the singer/songwriter’s return after 07’s The Brag and Cuss. The former member of indie band Waxwing bares his heart, singing stories about growth, love, and life without ever sounding cloy. Votolato doesn’t always stretch his vocals on the album, which is a shame. Two of the strongest tracks, “Red Rocks,” an upbeat song that recalls some of Elliott Smith’s happier songs, and “Where We Started,” a beautiful, sad ballad, greatly benefit from Votolato’s emotional vocals. That said, True Devotion is a fine release of confessional acoustic songs that have real emotional punch. – Written by DBosket
SIMILAR | Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, Damien Jurado, Iron & Wine, The Pernice Brothers, Elliott Smith