Penny In The Lake There’s a lot to love about the direction Ratboys took on Singin’ To An Empty Chair, the Chicago-based indie pop band’s sixth studio album. While the title of the record and artwork seem to imply that there’s an element missing, instead it is the beginning of an important dialogue with a close loved one lead vocalist Julia Steiner finds herself estranged from. Singin’ to an Empty Chair also marks the first Ratboys album written since Steiner began therapy, which the singer/lyricist credits for the clarity found in the lyrical material that is a vivid investigation of self-reflection and the importance of healthy relationships. While some of these conversations had within Singin’ To An Empty Chair may feel difficult, messy, or at times even bleak, Ratboys take it all in stride and leave signs of hope and clarity in the end. “It’s not all doom and gloom,” Steiner says. “The experience of making this record definitely gives me hope for whatever happens next.” By putting her full self into this album, Steiner and her bandmates live up to the hype surrounding this band that continues to get better on each release. If The Window was Ratboys telling the world, “We’ve arrived,” Singin’ To An Empty Chair emphatically states, “We’re here to stay.” I promise it will be worth the visit, and this wonderful record exceeded all of my expectations.
The set was once again produced by the trusted hand of Chris Walla (Snarls, The Decemberists), and he largely allows for Ratboys to trust their instincts, while still expanding upon the elements that make this artist so endearing in the first place. The band’s new record starts with the aptly titled “Open Up”, and it solidifies the vibe that Ratboys were going for. As more instruments get added to complement the breathy vocals from Steiner over an electric guitar, the band really rally around their dynamic front-woman and kick into a new gear on the song’s crescendo. Steiner ponders, “Let’s pick all the locks inside our heads / It takes a while, in your defense / But, I got lots of time / So, what’s it gonna take to open up tonight?” and it’s a great observation on the intricacies of what makes us all human, and the band never lose this human element throughout the LP.
”Know You Then” begins with some casually strummed guitars, while drummer Marcus Nuccio sets a steady beat for Steiner to explore over. I found the second verse of, “Graduation ends / You’ve ironed your cap and gown / Your dad checks his watch again / Got no time to hang around,” to be particularly powerful, and it is an excellent encapsulation of how we’re constantly focused on the “what’s next?” rather than living in the moment. The single of “Light Night Mountains All That” picks up the tempo at just the right moment in the album sequencing, as Ratboys have already level-set with their audience by explaining the world that they’re experiencing around them. Nuccio’s frenetic drumming, on this song in particular, fills the room even as Steiner’s lyrics of, “The light it tries to tell us how / There’s another world hidden underground / Well, you just laughed and stared ’cause you still don’t care / You still don’t care, you still don’t care” seem to imply that the person we’re talking to is tuning out of the conversation. The song features a nearly two-minute jam session outro that is a bold choice this early in the sequencing, and yet the risks pays off in the biggest of ways.
”Anywhere” is a speedy, jangly rock song that tackles that lyrical theme of mental health as Steiner begins with, “Oh, I know it’s bad / But, I can’t help my panic attack / Making sense of what is out there / I don’t have what it takes to bounce back, yeah.” The self-doubt begins to creep into her headspace, but it makes her that much more relatable and endearing to her audience. It’s easy to rally around Steiner and root for her eventual clarity and peace within herself. “Penny In the Lake” is another standout moment on an album that has no shortage of “wow” moments, and the country-tinged single is closer to the material that Ratboys created in their earlier work. The bridge of, “Peace and love to drive my car / Baby, you’re my Ringo Starr / Twistin’ the radio dial, ah, too far / Scurry by the chain-link fence / I travel by coincidence / Oh, you’ll never see me again, no,” showcases the fleeting moments in both relationships and life in general, yet the band doesn’t feel like they have a chip on their shoulder. Quite the opposite. Their plucky attitude is charming and it ends up making the music feel that much more real.
The shortest song on the record, “Strange Love”, is a sweet ballad about falling in love as Steiner confesses, “Well, giving up is hard to do / When I see your face inside me too / So I’ll take a swig and roll the dice / It’s a strange love, gotta hold on tight.” It’s solid advice for us all to take, and it’s easy to see why Ratboys’ music has resonated with so many.
The back half of the record kicks off with the great single of “The World, So Madly” that has a familiar sound that the band explored on The Window, yet its easy to see the improvements in their entire approach to the songwriting craft. It’s another warm moment on Singin’ To An Empty Chair, and it brings the listener in even closer. Arguably the most important song on the record, “Just Want You To Know The Truth”, is a sprawling eight-minute opus that accentuates the vivid emotions through Steiner’s picturesque lyrics. The title of the album comes from the closing section’s lyrics of, “A couple some odd years ago / You said, ‘Sweetie take your time’ / So now I’m singin’ to an empty chair / Bleedin’ out every line,” and it’s an honest admission from the talented songwriter who is putting her best foot forward.
”What’s Right?” is a song made for the packed mid-size clubs that Ratboys plan to tour on this Spring, and the track has a bit of a Tom Petty feel to it. Especially the delivery of the line, “Running down the laundry line”, brought back a flood of memories surrounding Petty’s “Runnin’ Down A Dream”, with equally-pleasing results. The song features another mini jam session in the back half of the single, and it packs plenty of punch.
”Burn It Down” plays out like a protest song, albeit in the form of a slow jam in the early going, as Steiner croons, “It’s always been this way / It’s never gonna change / So, take your kindling rage / And throw it on the flame.” I couldn’t help but relate these lyrics to the political climate in the U.S. today and the heartless actions of ICE to rip families apart at their core. Ratboys expand their sound with a cool tempo change and an great guitar solo from Dave Sagan to put a burning emphasis behind each of the pointed lyrics here. The album closer of “At Peace In The Hundred Acre Wood” leaves the audience with the warm thought of, “Sailing away / Laugh through the pain / Yeah, we’re sailing away / It’s a brand new day.” And in turn, we will continue to live for a better future and fight for true change in this world. Ratboys have all the makings of stars, and their light shines brightest on Singin’ To An Empty Chair.