I reviewed Be Set Free not too long ago and Langhorne Slim and Kemado Records have kindly offered a second free download from the album. For you fellow southerners (still feels odd that I’m in the south now), catch him live with The Avett Brothers:
12/31—Asheville Civic Center with the Avett Brothers—Asheville, North Carolina
1/1—Fox Theatre with the Avett Brothers—Atlanta, Georgia
Langhorne Slim is another in a great lineup of fall releases that includes American music from Port O’Brien, The Avett Brothers and Lucero. Be Set Free was released on September 29th and the single “I Love You, But Goodbye” was offered a month earlier and proved to be a good sample for what the album had in store. Much like contemporaries, The Avett Brothers, Langhorne continues to move further and further away from the country-folk style of his debut, When The Sun’s Gone Down, and more into pop-music territory on this release.
Like his self-titled album, he has a way to mask painful lyrics into upbeat songs that force frequent double-takes. Be Set Free opens with stringed arrangements and acoustic guitar on “Back To The Wild.” The aforementioned “I Love You, But Goodbye” is the breakup song of 2009 with lyrics “a bird with clipped wings can still sing but can no longer fly.”
As much as I like that line, I had trouble getting past the uninspired lyrics on the next song, “Land of Dreams:”
Everyone has got a dream.
You know what I mean?
Everyone wants to see what they’ve never seen.
You know what I mean?
Just when I was thinking “Oh no you didn’t just do that, Langhorne” with a finger snap and side-to-side head slide, he rebounds with the following lines:
I watch the shadows dance, hear the crickets creek.
Now I’m on the street.
I’ve learned the robin’s song, seen the mountain peak.
Now it’s time for sleep.
The banjo creeps in after the lines “Everyone becomes invisible in the land of dreams” and the song eventually becomes a favorite. Other standouts for me were the title track, “For a Little While” and “So Glad I’m Coming Home.” The best surprise on the album, however, is “Leaving My Love” when Langhorne is joined by Erika Wennerstrom of The Heartless Bastards on vocals. Eat your heart out Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.
Langhorne Slim is touring the country now and his show is not one to miss. He’ll likely be rocking a fedora and wife beater as he earns every penny of your ticket price in screams, jumps and other sweaty antics.
Travelers Insurance released a new commercial yesterday that features the song “Worries” by Langhorne Slim. You can find the song on Langhorne’s self-titled album that was released in 2008. The same song was featured in our live session with Langhorne Slim. Here are those downloads:
Langhorne Slim just released a track from his upcoming release, Be Set Free. The song is “I Love You But Goodbye” and the album will be released on September 29th via Kemado Records. If the song is representative of the rest of the album, we’re in for something special.
I caught Langhorne’s set at Lolla (my first time) and he blew me away. He has an amazing stage presence and pours his heart and soul into the performance. If he’s coming through your town, buy a ticket. You won’t regret it.
Tour dates:
10/15 – Bell House – Brooklyn, NY
10/17 – TT The Bears – Cambridge, MA
10/21 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
10/22 – Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI
10/24 – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI
10/25 – 400 Bar – Minneapolis, MN
10/26 – Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
10/28 – Jackpot – Lawrence, KS
10/29 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO
10/30 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
11/02 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
11/03 – Media Club – Vancouver, BC
11/06 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
11/08 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA
11/09 – Rhythm Room – Tempe, AZ
11/11 – Mohawk Outside – Austin, TX
11/13 – The Basement – Nashville, TN
11/15 – Cats Cradle – Carrboro, NC
11/16 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
11/17 – Rock N Roll Hotel – DC
11/19 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
The best part of doing these year end lists is rediscovering every album we loved in 2008. While we chose Blitzen Trapper as the best album of the year, it may as well be a three-way tie. How do you choose between Blitzen Trapper, Fleet Foxes and The Black Keys?
Hopefully y’all liked our choices. I’m always interested in hearing about what we overlooked. So, what were your favorite albums of the year that we missed?
The cover art is made of wood and that’s what the album gives me. I don’t have enough good things to say. It’s my favorite album of 2008 and “Black River Killer” is my favorite song right now.
After Magic Potion, how do the Akron boys take it to the next level? They let Danger Mouse take over production and add in more instruments like banjos and flutes. The results are wondrous.
Video: The Black Keys – I Got Mine (Live on Letterman)
As stunning a debut as you’ll see in years. Woody saw them at SXSW and said “I thought angels were singing to me.” I called him a pussy at the time, but he’s right. So angelic. To say I am looking forward to their 2nd release is as big of an understatement.
Video: Fleet Foxes – Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (Live In London)
4. Dr. Dog – Fate
Jeff Tweedy loves Dr. Dog and so do we. Production is getting tighter and the songs are taking on bigger, often biblical themes. See them live to really appreciate the band.
Justin Townes Earle is what country music needs right now. If you’ve had enough of the mainstream pop garbage, listen to the music as Hank, Townes, Kris, Willie, Waylon and Johnny intended it to be heard. Justin has a voice and bravado that’s a throwback to country music’s legends.
Video: Justin Townes Earle – Lone Pine Hill (Live)
6. Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creations Dark
DBT’s first album without Isbell and, although I miss him dearly, Hood and Cooley show that the show will certainly go on. It’s 19 tracks deep and “Ghost To Most,” “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife,” and “Daddy Needs a Drink” have all become favorites. I’m also craving more Shonna Tucker after hearing “I’m Sorry Huston.”
In our review, I compared these guys to the scene in Young Guns when the gang visits the spirit world. Calexico are true musicians that explore new sounds and bend genres. This album comes with some spicy, southwestern flavor.
Do I even need to write anything about My Morning Jacket? This would have been higher on the list, but there are one or two tracks on Evil Urges that I can’t even listen to – “Highly Suspicious” is one of them. I still respect the constant experimentation and will remain a captive listener with each release.
9. Port O’Brien – All We Could Do Was Sing (our review)
Lead singer-songwriter Van Pierszalowski is an Alaska fisherman (think Deadliest Catch) and All I Could Do Was Sing always feels inspired by a bit of cabin fever with soft, sweet, finger-picked tunes like “Fisherman’s Son” offset by extended jams and heavy guitar riffs on “Pigeonhold” and “The Rooftop Song.” Damn good people too.
I’m not sure what the rebel side of heaven looks like, but I hope when I’m bellied up to the bar at The Big Guy in the Sky’s Bar and Lounge, that Langhorne strolls up in his fedora so I can buy him cocktail.
