The sixth studio release from dust bowl era inspired crooner Pokey LaFarge, Manic Revelations, changes things up quite a bit, leaving the old timey music sound for a ‘60s soul vibe. This change in sound was spurred by LaFarge’s outrage over the 2014 riots in the Ferguson, Missouri neighborhood of his hometown St. Louis. Identifying parallels between his own socio-political outrage and the civil rights issues of the ’60s, LaFarge decided a classic soul album was the best direction to elevate his message. LaFarge fully embraces the retro soul sound with the addition of a horn section to make things authentic as possible. Standout tracks include: the slightly spooky Cab Calloway reminiscent “Mother Nature”; the catchy “Good Luck Charm”; the soulful swagger of “Must Be a Reason”; and the horn driven road song, “Wellington.” Manic Revelations is a polished soul record that showcases LaFarge’s honest of love of homegrown American music – go give it a listen! – Written by JFelton
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