Mermaids

Straddling the border of Keith Richards and Gram Parsons. With an injection of Steve Earle and Chris Knight in the line. The 2012 critically lauded Valentine's Day debut Kin and 2013's Valentine's release 'In the Weeds' from Michael Rank and Stag were given a very kind reception. Now enter 'Mermaids', Michael Rank's second full length release of 2013. Kin's locked up a slot on my No Depression Best of 2012 list...

Highly Recommended, No Depression On what is a set of wonderfully ramshackle country leaning rock songs...wonderful stuff. To his and the musicians' credit they deliver in spades with what is one of the most invigorating albums we've heard this year, Blabber 'n Smoke With more vital body fluids spilling from these grooves than Shoot Out The Lights and Blood On TheTracks combined, the new solo album from Snatches of PinK frontman Michael Rank makes for an exhausting ride. As classic breakup albums go, Kin is more than just effective - it's utterly inspiring, Blurt Magazine Some people epitomise rock and roll...

Rank is such a person. His rock and roll attitude permeates every part of these recordings. it is the epitome of what Americana meant fifteen years ago., Americana UK If there's a secret to making timeless roots rock records then Michael Rank has discovered the formula., Beat Surrender This is an album full of bloody fingernails, regurgitated poison pills, and swallowed tears, and yet you can't turn it off or even look away. Americana Music Show 'A sort of damaged-goods manifest on a wanted poster', Yes Weekly 'Rank is a rock-n-roll survivor who has created two stellar discs in the past year demonstrating himself to be talented songwriter truly hitting his stride. Highly recommended', NoDepression The songs bleed with bitterness over the end of a relationship, again the stuff of great country rock. Rank has a great feel for the swagger and grease of the best rock'n'roll and it's all here., When You Motor Away Musically and lyrically raw. And real. And intense. And cathartic. And Beautiful., Graypunk Kin is Rak's ' Wild Horses' , Hopscotch Festival Preview 'The harrowing break-up album typically precedes the record of bloodshot Sunday-morning blues, but leave it to Michael Rank to fuck up a formula', Independent Weekly. Michael Rank is once again accompliced by some of North Carolina's finest Country, Bluegrass and Americana players in the fold. Chatham County Line's John Teer, Mandolin Orange's Emily Frantz, Two Dollar Pistol's founder John Howie Jr., Rosewood Bluff's Nathan Golub & Billie Feather, Calico Haunt's Alex Iglehart, Patty Hurst Shifter's Marc E. Smith, The Backsliders' Greg Rice and Small Pond's Jesse Huebner all join in for the run.