22-06-2017, 20:54
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – The Nashville Sound
![[Image: R-10432621-1497501992-1627.jpeg.jpg]](https://img.discogs.com/GYNzqag_gn8ijyCQUq91684GKSc=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-10432621-1497501992-1627.jpeg.jpg)
I’m not overly familiar with Jason Isbell’s music – don’t own any of his albums, but I like to listen to Alt Country/Americana now and then - when it’s well done. This is that (IMHO, I hasten to add). I’d say that these are accomplished musicians in their various fields – I enjoyed the violin and guitars, and the voices are good. It’s not heavyweight – Isbell doesn’t get fully committed to his angst, but it’s not too frivolous either. I know nothing about the producer, but from the way it plays – he probably knows a thing or two!
The album starts out with “Last of My Kind” which to my country uninformed ears sounds like a personal lament for the loss of a simple country life/values – or at least the ideal of one.
Continuing on a theme of sorrow for things lost, “Cumberland Gap”, with much rockier sensibilities, evokes Bruce Springsteen – it rages rather than laments.
There are some great mournful sounds on the following track, “Tupelo”, and I’m hearing some Eagles on this one.
And … joining the statement makers, albeit in the most laid back of vehicles, “White Man’s World” is his take on the times in which we live; something of a political message and ultimately a song in favour of unity although I’m sure it’s aimed along more specific patriotic lines. The song contains lyrics such as “…there’s no such thing as someone else’s war…” and “we’re all carrying one big burden, and sharing one fate” … no overt references to anyone/thing in particular, but the picture is clear!
“If We Were Vampires” is just lovely. His voice really shines on this gentle, funny, sad and sweet song of life, love and inevitable parting.
“Anxiety” seems to be about the pain of never being good enough – always worrying – never satisfied even when one seemingly has everything one could want, maybe dealing with the black dog. Kinda counter intuitive to the preceding track, but anyway ... pressures of society, and all. I think I see how his music reflects the content – I quite like the way he uses that construct, generally, even if I don’t love the track.
“Molotov” doesn’t really go anywhere for me, nor do the remaining three songs – the album fizzled a bit here, I think. “Chaos and Clothes” sounds as though he's channeling Jack Johnson and it’s interesting that he calls up all these different sounds – so many different guises popping up under one banner. “Hope the High Road” you can take or leave, lol!
At least he ends on a high (or medium) note with “Something to Love”, a ditty really, reminiscing about his roots and a wish that the listener will find joy and hope in small things – as he understands it when remembering his own past - find something to love, even if it’s seemingly small and insignificant. There could be worse advice.
“White Man’s World” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu4dupoC7EE
…. And “If We Were Vampires” –
I’m not overly familiar with Jason Isbell’s music – don’t own any of his albums, but I like to listen to Alt Country/Americana now and then - when it’s well done. This is that (IMHO, I hasten to add). I’d say that these are accomplished musicians in their various fields – I enjoyed the violin and guitars, and the voices are good. It’s not heavyweight – Isbell doesn’t get fully committed to his angst, but it’s not too frivolous either. I know nothing about the producer, but from the way it plays – he probably knows a thing or two!
The album starts out with “Last of My Kind” which to my country uninformed ears sounds like a personal lament for the loss of a simple country life/values – or at least the ideal of one.
Continuing on a theme of sorrow for things lost, “Cumberland Gap”, with much rockier sensibilities, evokes Bruce Springsteen – it rages rather than laments.
There are some great mournful sounds on the following track, “Tupelo”, and I’m hearing some Eagles on this one.
And … joining the statement makers, albeit in the most laid back of vehicles, “White Man’s World” is his take on the times in which we live; something of a political message and ultimately a song in favour of unity although I’m sure it’s aimed along more specific patriotic lines. The song contains lyrics such as “…there’s no such thing as someone else’s war…” and “we’re all carrying one big burden, and sharing one fate” … no overt references to anyone/thing in particular, but the picture is clear!
“If We Were Vampires” is just lovely. His voice really shines on this gentle, funny, sad and sweet song of life, love and inevitable parting.
“Anxiety” seems to be about the pain of never being good enough – always worrying – never satisfied even when one seemingly has everything one could want, maybe dealing with the black dog. Kinda counter intuitive to the preceding track, but anyway ... pressures of society, and all. I think I see how his music reflects the content – I quite like the way he uses that construct, generally, even if I don’t love the track.
“Molotov” doesn’t really go anywhere for me, nor do the remaining three songs – the album fizzled a bit here, I think. “Chaos and Clothes” sounds as though he's channeling Jack Johnson and it’s interesting that he calls up all these different sounds – so many different guises popping up under one banner. “Hope the High Road” you can take or leave, lol!
At least he ends on a high (or medium) note with “Something to Love”, a ditty really, reminiscing about his roots and a wish that the listener will find joy and hope in small things – as he understands it when remembering his own past - find something to love, even if it’s seemingly small and insignificant. There could be worse advice.
“White Man’s World” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu4dupoC7EE
…. And “If We Were Vampires” –
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
