Reviewed: 2018-04-23
Genre: Country
FCCs: none
Review: This is a rebirth of a band, a song cycle indirectly examining songwriter & guitarist Smith’s battle with alcoholism that derailed the band while in its prime and on the cusp of national recognition.
Still, Smith’s personal struggles imbue the album with a newfound introspection and maturity, true to the sound and format of the band’s debut album, but through the lens of hindsight that gives his writing and singing broader emotional impact. The group is composed of well-established Bay Area session players.
If You Like: Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Bros., Merle Haggard. Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
1/ Broken Hearted – guitar starts> midtempo song about lost love> pedal steel solo> midtempo song> quick fade
*2/ A Mile Away – pedal steel guitar starts> midtempo song> pedal steel solo> fade
*3/ Follow You Always – drums start> rocking midtempo love song> electric guitar solo> uptempo song> crescendo end
**4/ You Would Know – gu8tar starts> uptempo song> fade
*5/ Feelin’ Lucky – slide guitar starts> midtempo song about a relationship> beautiful slide guitar solo> uptempo song> quick stop
***6/ Comin’ Home – rocking uptempo song about struggling with alcoholism> crescendo end
**7/Annalee – guitar starts> uptempo song about the end of a relationship> pause> guitar break> quick stop
8/ Won’t Be Long – guitar starts> midtempo song> chorus kicks in> fade
***9/ Gettin’ Gone – pedal steel starts> uptempo song> rocking pedal steel solo> uptempo song> fade
*9/ Happy Hour Blues – piano starts> midtempo drinking song> quick song
*10/ The Ride – guitar starts> midtempo love song> builds in volume> quick fade