The Rattlers - Weightless

All Music Guide

This sophomore release sees the Rattlers continuing on much the same path as their debut Pleasures in Misadventure. The producer's role was filled by both Steve Paine and Steve Sheard and, not surprising, this album also seems to possess two identities. Its folk moments -- like the instrumental cuts "The Two Bettys" and "One Size Fits All" -- are more derivative of early-'70s, post-Sandy Denny Fairport Convention, while most of the remainder of the album incorporates a harder rocking sound with folk touches toned down significantly, save for Sarah Matthews' electric violin. Matthews' own piece "Killing Time" is another instrumental that alternates between folk and rock in a Ric Sanders-like manner. "Follow Me Down" is a gentler acoustic pop number sung in a Simon Nicol style, and the album concludes with a scorching rendition of Richard Thompson's "Tear Stained Letter." That said, this is not a Fairport clone.

- Dave Sleger, All Music Guide