By Jake Crown, September 2008

Bristle Ridge, Ten Four Records

On Bristle Ridge, Chuck Ragan and Austin Lucas have combined forces to make one amazing folk record. 

Ragan and Lucas trade off lead vocals while laying down remarkable harmonies on each other’s songs. This is the first release from Ragan’s new label Ten Four Records. I’m really, really trying to find something negative about this record but I just can’t. Fellow Gainesvillian Jon Gaunt adds amazing fiddle playing, with Digger Barnes and Bob Lucas rounding out the band. I actually live in Jon Gaunt’s old apartment, so listening to this record while I power through a 12 pack of cold beer just adds to Bristle Ridge. This album has Chuck Ragan trying different ranges with his voice; sounding more and more like the Boss. There is no bullshit on Bristle Ridge; they recorded an amazing traditional folk/bluegrass record. Barnes’ stand-up bass slays and makes me tap my feet so hard I’m going to spill my beer. My favorite song is “Judgment Day,” which starts off with an amazing fiddle part from Gaunt, then Ragan and Lucas belt out “Bring on the judgment day!” Every song on Bristle Ridge is catchy and pays homage to the creators of folk music. The album is honest, beautiful, at times religious, hopeful and true to its name. Hey Gaunt, come over sometime, and we can listen to Bristle Ridge, drink cheap beer and talk about how one day we are going to do something with our lives. Chuck Ragan and Austin and Bob Lucas will be at Common Grounds on Oct. 1, on The Revival Tour, along with Ben Nichols of Lucero and Tim Barry of Avail.