Windfall may be Texan Joe Pug’s 3rd album, but probably the first to get any sort of attention in the UK due to being the first to be released on the wonderful Loose Music label. Is this label capable of making a duff signing?
The album nearly didn’t happen, as apparently after 4 years of intense touring, Joe hit the bottle big time and almost quit the industry completely. Thankfully, something inside spoke to him, and he sobered up and decided he needed to get back to the essentials of music again.
Essentially a mid paced acoustic album, it also benefits from sparely used piano and orchestration here and there, over Joe’s distinctive drawl.
The 10 songs kick off appropriately with ‘Bright Beginnings’, a lovely guitar picked opener, although the song sentiments don’t match the title.
The first half of the album continues this theme, with each song lyrically dense and describing a story and/or sentiment. It takes until ‘Burn and Shine’ to up the tempo and feel like a full band song.
This is by no means a criticism, and in fact for me its a relief to get to next track, and my album highlight the gorgeous pedal steel flavored ‘O My Chesapeake’. Vocals duties are shared with a female voice to lovely effect.
‘If I Still Can’t be Found’ closes the album, with its lovely subtle backing and chorus.
Hopefully, this release will kick on Joe’s career and expose him to a UK audience in the same style Ryan Adams’ did all those years ago now, and I hope he makes it over to play some shows this year.
Keith @kjsmith4082
8/11
SIDE A
1. Bright Beginnings (3.34)
2. Veteran Fighter (3.36)
3. Stay And Dance (3.31)
4. The Measure (3.17)
5. Great Hosannas (4.07)
SIDE B
6. Burn And Shine (3.33)
7. O My Chesapeake (5.09)
8. Windfallen (3.07)
9. Pair Of Shadows (3.09)
10. If Still It Can’t Be Found (4.49)
Windfall will be released on 9th March 2015 on Loose Music