Old Ramon

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Old Ramon
Studio album by Red House Painters
Released	April 10, 2001
Recorded	1997-1998
Genre	Folk rock
Length	71:54
Label	Sub Pop
Producer(s)	Mark Kozelek
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Red House Painters chronology
Songs for a Blue Guitar (1996)	Old Ramon (2001)

Old Ramon is the final album released by folk rock band Red House Painters. Originally completed in 1998, Mark Kozelek had to wait until 2001 to release the album. The band had previously been signed to Island / Supreme Records, but a series of major label mergers in the late '90s left the band without a label. This meant the album had to be shelved until three years later, when Sub Pop records signed the group.

Many regard Old Ramon as a more lighthearted, optimistic recording than previous Red House Painters releases. The first track, "Wop-a-Din-Din" is a tribute to his cat, while "Byrd Joel," "Michigan" and "Kavita" are love songs. Elsewhere, however, the languid, lengthy "River" and "Void" confirmed that Kozelek hadn't lost his touch for articulating regret and sadness. The album also retained Songs for a Blue Guitar's mix of introspective acoustic folk-rock and heavier electric rock.

This is the last Painters release to date. Kozelek has since released two acclaimed albums with a new line-up under the name Sun Kil Moon.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Wop-A-Din-Din" – 5:37
2. "Byrd Joel" – 6:26
3. "Void" – 9:34
4. "Between Days" – 8:35
5. "Cruiser" – 8:39
6. "Michigan" – 4:50
7. "River" – 11:21
8. "Smokey" – 6:55
9. "Golden" – 3:53
10. "Kavita" – 6:05