Album Review: Tim Barry “Raising Hell and Living Cheap: Live in Richmond”
review by Thomas
First off, let me first say that I will admit, I was never a huge fan of folk-punk/folk-rock/folk or whatever other label you want to slap on this genre of music. I can’t really tell you why, but I just never could get into it. But when you listen to an album, and a live album at that, and it changes your perspective on a certain style of music, you get this weird feeling of betraying yourself, like admitting you were wrong. It’s a hard thing to do, but I’m glad Tim Barry was the one to do it to me.
With that I bring you Raising Hell & Living Cheap, Tim Barry’s (former frontman of Avail) first LIVE album which was recorded in Richmond, VA for one of the last shows of his tour. Tim Barry has been on his own going back to the roots of his music since 2004 and why the fuck I haven’t listened to him before, I don’t know. Now live albums are difficult and in my opinion are either done really fucking well, or turn out really fucking bad. I usually stay away from them. In the case of Raising Hell & Living Cheap, I can’t turn it off.
1. Dog Bumped
2. Driver Pull Intro*
3. Driver Pull*
4. 40 Miler*
5. This November Intro
6. This November
7. Walk 500 Miles Intro
8. Walk 500 Miles
9. Fine Foods Market
10. South Hill
11. Church of Level Track
12. Idle Idylist*
13. Downtown VCU
14. Exit Wounds*
15. Ronnie Song Intro
16. Ronnie Song
17. Thing of the Past
18. Avoiding Catatonic Surrender
*Are all songs played in the crowd
Released May 13th, 2014, the record was recorded by Lance Koehler at The Camel in Richmond. Before I dug deeper, I listened to the album a handful of times, only to later find out this show was recorded after a 6 month long tour binge..now if you have ever seen a band on one of their last shows of a long tour, you know…it’s not always going to be like what their first show of tour was, forget all that bullshit with this live album.
Now I can sit here and type all day about each song on the live, which by the way are equally taken from each studio release making sure the favorites like Dog Bumped, Driver Pull, Avoiding Catatonic Surrender and 40 Miler all get heard, but what really blows my mind is the fact that this live recording was recorded without Barry even knowing. That fact alone, probably makes this one of the more raw and authentic live albums I have ever listened to. Combine that with the extreme realism and working class attitude towards life that Barry pours into his music, and you got yourself one the best live albums of the year. Hands fucking down.
“Does anyone here have any relationship problems?” and after some hands are raised…”I got something to tell you, if a man on stage asks publicly if you have relationship problems, do not publicly acknowledge it man!”
Catching those short moments of chatter between Barry and the audience, is what really brings this to heart for me. As a songwriter, Barry pours everything he has from his life into his songs, and it’s almost impossible not to relate in some way emotionally to his music. From the social justice of “Dog Pumped” to finding yourself while running away in “Driver Pull”, you get this feeling during the crowd reactions and sing-alongs that you are in the room singing along with them, and feeling what they are feeling, or at least that you would give up quite a bit to get that fucking opportunity.
Opening with Dog Bumped and closing with Avoiding Catatonic Surrender, and all the realism and humor in between, Raising Hell & Living Cheap is going in my book as one of the better live albums I have ever listened to.
I can only hope that Tim Barry continues on his act and makes his way out to California, because this is one show you just can’t miss. Now, excuse me while I go buy this fucking masterpiece of a live album! Thank you Tim fucking Barry!
You can check out Tim Barry on the road on the East Coast:
May 23rd – Manchester, NH – The Shaskeen
October 30th – Ybor City, FL – Big Pre-Fest
November 1st – Gainesville, FL – Fest 13
You can also pick up Raising Hell & Living Cheap from Chunksaah Records!
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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