Justin Townes Earle - Single Mothers (18/09/2014)
There is something about the sheer honesty of Justin Townes Earle’s music that gets to you. His reputation for providing a quality example of modern day Americana is enhanced even further on his fifth full length album, 'Single Mothers'.
The album kicks off with the mesmerising 'Worried Bout the Weather' where Earle and his three piece band grab your attention by creating a feel that immediately captivates. Next, on the title track, when Earle sings of single mothers and absent fathers, he wears his heart on his sleeve with a performance that is raw and personal. It made John Lennon’s 'Mother' spring to mind. Then, just to make sure you are not wallowing in misery and frustration, he kicks in with the jaunty and fun 'My Baby Drives'. Over the course of three songs he has managed to provide reminders of both the pain and joy that life affords us! The quality doesn’t diminish over the remaining eight tracks with the unsurprisingly |
honest 'Wanna Be a Stranger', up-tempo 'Burning Pictures' and the pedal steel driven 'Today and a Lonely Night' all serving as highlights. Another standout was the poignant 'It’s Cold in This House' and sure enough, just as the title suggests, this is not going to be a song designed to make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.
As an album, 'Single Mothers' is a bit folky, a bit bluesy and a bit rocky, but overall it combines all this to produce a cohesive package of intelligent performances that grab your attention and demand to be listened to. The endearing vocals of Earle and music accompaniment of the players involved combine to produce outstanding storytelling.
Darren Parker
As an album, 'Single Mothers' is a bit folky, a bit bluesy and a bit rocky, but overall it combines all this to produce a cohesive package of intelligent performances that grab your attention and demand to be listened to. The endearing vocals of Earle and music accompaniment of the players involved combine to produce outstanding storytelling.
Darren Parker