September November
Studio album by
the Long Ryders
ReleasedMarch 10, 2023 (2023-03-10)
RecordedJuly 2022
StudioKozy Tone Ranch (Poway, California)
Genre
Length42:53
LabelCherry Red
ProducerEd Stasium
The Long Ryders chronology
Psychedelic Country Soul
(2019)		 September November
(2023)
Singles from September November
  1. "Tom Tom"
    Released: January 21, 2022[6]
  2. "September November Sometime"
    Released: January 27, 2023[7]
  3. "Elmer Gantry Is Alive and Well"
    Released: February 10, 2023[8]
  4. "Seasons Change"
    Released: February 24, 2023[9]

September November is the fifth studio album by American band the Long Ryders, released on March 10, 2023, by Cherry Red Records. It is their first full-length album without bassist Tom Stevens, who passed away in 2021.[10] The album is produced by Ed Stasium, who also produced the Long Ryders' two previous albums, Two-Fisted Tales (1987) and Psychedelic Country Soul (2019).

Background

Due to the passing of long-time bassist Tom Stevens, bass duties on the album were shared by the Long Ryders' Stephen McCarthy and Murry Hammond of Old 97's.[11] Guests on the album include D. J. Bonebrake of punk band X on vibraphone and violinist Kerenza Peacock of the Coal Porters.[11] The album was recorded in July 2022 at producer Ed Stasium's Kozy Tone Ranch studio in California.[12]

The album includes two Tom Stevens tributes: "Tom Tom", which was released as a download single on January 21, 2022,[6] and the Stevens-penned "Flying Out of London in the Rain". Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Long Ryders recorded "Tom Tom" by emailing sound files back and forth. The song went from drummer Greg Sowders in Los Angeles to guitarist Stephen McCarthy in Virginia, to Ed Stasium near San Diego and then to guitarist Sid Griffin in London.[13] The initial lyrics had come to Sowders in a dream and were finished with contributions by Griffin and McCarthy.[14]

"Flying Out of London in the Rain" had originally been recorded for Tom Stevens' 2007 solo album Home. The band kept Stevens' original lead vocals, guitar and bass, and added new instrumental parts. The backing vocals of daughter Sarah Stevens were also kept from the original recording.[5][14]

The album title refers to the band being in the fall of their lives.[14]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Classic Rock7/10[2]
God Is in the TV8/10[15]
Record Collector[16]
Shindig![17]
Spiral Earth[1]
Uncut8/10[5]

September November received positive reviews from music critics. Classic Rock wrote, "As evidenced by 2019's Psychedelic Country Soul – their first album in more than 30 years – the Long Ryders not only defined their oeuvre, but actually picked up where they left off. And now, proving that it was no fluke, September November refines their sound further."[2]

Record Collector felt that "the result is, at times, gentler, more reflective ... But there's also the freewheeling sound the band have always been known for ... while their understated psychedelia surfaces on the hypnotic, guitar-rocking "Elmer Gantry Is Alive and Well." Add a dusting of country soul and it's a cool collection."[16] Spiral Earth called it "a smorgasbord of sounds, from tub thumping rockers to western swing ditties and all points in between."[1]

AllMusic felt that though there are some "solidly upbeat" songs on the album, "the more contemplative tone [of other songs] is what comes off most clearly." The band "deliver performances that come straight from the heart, and producer Ed Stasium gives the sessions a sound that's rich and naturalistic."[3]

Punktuation! Magazine wrote, "What September November has in common with every Long Ryders release is its want for repeated listens ... It deserves its place under the band's umbrella alongside the giants: Native Sons, State of Our Union, Two-Fisted Tales and Psychedelic Country Soul."[18] Uncut opined that the album "is undeniably a vital, relevant, 21st-century artefact."[5]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."September November Sometime"Sid Griffin, Stephen McCarthy3:26
2."Seasons Change"McCarthy3:29
3."Flying Down"Griffin, McCarthy, Greg Sowders4:32
4."Elmer Gantry Is Alive and Well"Griffin, McCarthy5:10
5."Hand of Fate"McCarthy3:10
6."Song for Ukraine" (instrumental)Griffin1:55
7."To the Manor Born"McCarthy3:28
8."That's What They Say About Love"Griffin2:37
9."Country Blues (Kitchen)"McCarthy3:32
10."Tom Tom"Griffin, McCarthy, Sowders, Ed Stasium4:21
11."Until God Takes Me Away"Griffin2:29
12."Flying Out of London in the Rain"Tom Stevens4:47

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes.[12]

The Long Ryders
Additional musicians
Technical
  • Ed Stasium – production, engineering, mixing, photography
  • Steve Fallone – mastering
  • Phil Smee – design, artwork

Charts

Chart performance for September November
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[19] 49
UK Album Sales[20] 52
UK Physical Albums[21] 50
UK Country Albums (OCC)[22] 3
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[23] 19
UK Independent Album Breakers (OCC)[24] 7

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Noon, Lyndon (February 22, 2023). "Spiral Earth Review". Spiral Earth. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Marszalek, Julian (April 2023). "September November review". Classic Rock. United Kingdom: Future. p. 78. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Deming, Mark. "September November Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ Sterdan, Darryl (March 10, 2023). "Albums Of The Week: The Long Ryders – September November". Tinnitist. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Staunton, Terry (April 2023). "September November review". Uncut. London: NME Networks. p. 22. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "The Long Ryders – Tom Tom". sidgriffin.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ "September November Sometime – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ "New To Stream: The Long Ryders unveil new single Elmer Gantry is Alive and Well". Cherry Red Records. February 10, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  9. ↑ "New To Stream: The Long Ryders unveil 'Seasons Change' – stream here!". Cherry Red Records. February 24, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ Sid Griffin (2021). "The Long Ryders' Tom Stevens". Shindig!. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "The Long Ryders – New Album". sidgriffin.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  12. 1 2 The Long Ryders (2023). September November (Album liner notes). Cherry Red Records. CDBRED878.
  13. ↑ "Tom Tom". sidgriffin.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 "The Long Ryders In The September Of Their Years: Interview". The 13th Floor. March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  15. ↑ Reno, Paul (March 10, 2023). "God Is in the TV Review". God Is in the TV. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Dalton, Nick (March 2023). "September November review". Record Collector. London: Diamond Publishing. p. 110. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  17. ↑ Graham, Ben (March 2023). "Shindig! Review". Shindig!. No. 137. p. 84. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  18. ↑ Howden, Nic (February 9, 2023). "Review: Long Ryders, 'September November'". Punktuation!. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Physical Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Official Independent Album Breakers Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
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