Hot on the heels of 2014’s Single Mothers album, Justin Townes Earle releases the companion piece Absent Fathers. Originally devised as a double album, a change of heart sees the 2 halves of a whole released as separate stand-alone cuts. (You can buy both albums together on vinyl).
This Son of Steve, Earle has not drastically changed from his original blueprint of country tinged folk Americana, with the pedal steel prominent on most cuts on the album, and that’s a blessing. It doesn’t take a genius to work out the theme of the album is anger towards his father growing up, and the lyrics and song titles bear testament to this. The music however remains mid paced and largely acoustic, but lyrically this elevates them to something more edgy and raw.
The first 4 tracks on the album set the scene for this autobiographical story : “Farther From Me” - surely a play on words ?, “Why”, “Least I Got The Blues” and “Call Ya Momma”……
The beautiful, melancholy Night & Day follows these, a song I’ve had on repeat these first cold days of the new year.
The threateningly titled “Someone Will Pay” is a further album highlight with its restrained, precise guitar work and almost sounds celebratory despite the song title.
The simple acoustic guitar picking “Looking For A Place To Land” closes the album, and seemingly this episode in JTE’s life.
With a voice somewhere between Ryan Adams and Ron Sexsmith, JTE belies only actually being in his early 30’s, but this perfectly suits the wintry, melancholy late night vibe of the album.
Maybe not an album meant to be listened to on the beach in the sun, but more with a glass of Jack Daniels next to the fire, bear with it, because repeated listens will be rewarding.
Keith @kjsmith4082
8/11
Loose Records will be releasing both albums together as a specially packaged double vinyl LP to coincide with the release of Absent Fathers
Justin Townes Earle & Andrew Combs Tour dates
17 Jan GLASGOW, Oran Mor (Celtic Connections)
18 Jan GATESHEAD, Caedmon Hall
19 Jan MANCHESTER, Band on the Wall
21 Jan OSLO, John Dee
23 Jan STOCKHOLM, Sodra Teatern
24 Jan GOTHENBURG, Pustervik
25 Jan MALMO, KB
26 Jan BERLIN, Grüner Salon
28 Jan HAMBURG, Nochtspeicher
29 Jan AMSTERDAM, Paradiso
30 Jan GRONINGEN, Oosterpoort
31 Jan ROTTERDAM, Rotown
01 Feb UTRECHT, Tivoli Vredenburg
03 Feb LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club
05 Feb BRISTOL, The Tunnels
06 Feb LONDON, Union Chapel