Chuck Ragan

Chuck Ragan needs no introduction. Two decades into his musical career, the singer-songwriter has released his third solo album with Side One Dummy. Covering Ground is a heartfelt and achingly honest folk album of road songs featuring musical support from Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem) and Chris Thorn (Blind Melon), among others. Ragan's signature gravelly voice and poignant lyrical style remain the focal point in his music without taking from the strong rhythm and melody. In Covering Ground, the theme is travelling, from beautiful roadside ballads ("Right as Rain") to fiddle-heavy songs about being a downright rambling man ("Nomad by Fate"). This time around, his gruff croons tend to be more up-tempo and with the addition of twangy guitar riffs and fiddle, the result is reminiscent of a Springsteen album. Long-time friends Jon Gaunt and Joe Ginsberg add an extra element of bluegrass, with the incorporation of fiddle and a strong bass presence. Covering Ground takes a step back from Ragan's usual blend of folk, roots and gospel to focus on a strongly thematic album of clear-cut American road songs. The title has no hidden meaning, nor does the album. At this point, Ragan doesn't need to prove anything.