As we kick off the New Year I figured I would like to get everyone started off right with some music talk. I actually thought I spoke about this earlier in the year but when I searched through my notes I don’t see it. If for some reason I did, I’m sorry.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit released their newest album Weathervanes in 2023. Since the release the album has been nominated for a couple Grammys. I remember the first time I hit play and heard it. The first song comes on, I hear the lyrics and I knew it was going to be a great album. In the first minute my gut told me there is something special happening here. It’s like you can sense when someone is totally inspired and in the perfect mindset for the muse to use them to get something out. He started the album off with the Chorus of the first song. There isn’t even any musical intro to the song, it just jumps right in with vocals…
Did you ever love a woman with a death wish?
Something in her eyes, like flippin’ off a light switch
Everybody dies, but you gotta find a reason to carry on
Oh, and did you ever catch her climbing on the rooftop?
Higher than a kite, dead of winter in a tank top
I don’t wanna fight with you, baby, but I won’t leave you alone
The vibe that comes out of this song is just great. It just continues to build from second one all the way to the end.
Now, some people might consider Jason country music. I don’t, I put him in the southern rock category, kinda like Tom Petty. Yeah, there is a true country influence, but there is something else in there also. There is this rock vibe and a raw truthfulness you don’t get in much of the modern country. Sorry, modern country fans but it does come across kinda as vapid most of the time.
The big single off this album is King of Oklahoma. Unlike the opening song that hits the chorus in the first second this song doesn’t get there until the 2 minute mark. That’s a long time to wait in modern music standards. But you know what, it’s worth it and I feel it creates a bigger impact. Jason establishes a tempo for 2mins but when the chorus kicks in the tempo kinds drops creating a bigger section and release.
Jason has a way with words that I could only dream of having. His wife, fiddle player Amanda Shires, has a masters in English and it really seems like he strives to not disappoint her. This album is full of great lines and tough subjects. It can get dark at times but there is definitely hope in it. Multiple times I have put on my AirPod Max to listen to the Dolby Atmos version of this album and I just get lost in it. It’s a journey that I wish I could take everyday.
Jason also has a documentary on HBO that came out about a year ago. It follows him during Covid while recording his album Reunions. It really is a great watch even if you aren’t a music fan as it does deal a lot with his personal life and struggles.
Well, I hope you give this album a listen or watch the documentary if that’s your thing. The guy has some talent and it’s cool to bathe in that when possible.
