If SOUTHEASTERN was the ladder to self-actualisation, then
SOMETHING MORE THAN FREE is the platform at the peak. Not that it is easy or
wise to compare the latest two albums of Jason Isbell as they were written in separate
phases of his life. However the new album’s title, and subsequent track, takes
a philosophical look at freedom and questions whether we all need something
more than its absolute format. This is just one of many fascinating facets from
an outstanding and regal album that sees Isbell seal his position as the
pre-eminent songwriter in American music.
This peak that SOMETHING MORE THAN FREE has taken Jason
Isbell to is a state of personal satisfaction where he can gaze back at the ups
and downs of the past and visualise a limitless future on the road to song writing
immortality. While focussing more on the immediate present, the new record sees
Isbell at his southern best throwing in a bit of country, soul and good honest
rock into a singer-song writing pit awash with the musings of a genius. He once
referred to his listeners as ‘intelligent strangers’, but this can be reversed
in viewing him as the 'articulate spokesperson of the intelligent musician.'
Teaming up again with producer Dave Cobb has paid dividends
and what a portfolio of albums he is developing if you throw in METAMODERN
SOUNDS IN COUNTRY MUSIC. While the band element adds spice to many of the
eleven tracks, this is essentially another Jason Isbell solo effort, or perhaps
heading in a duo direction if you count the influence of Amanda Shires, both on
the ever present fiddle and as a wider stabilising force. There are reams of
autobiographical content to the album of which snippets have been revealed in
the pre-launch press, no more explicit than in the Stereogum interview. This
adds an extra dimension to trawling through the lyrics of the album which
unveils a treasure trove of literary selfdom for those motivated by the
intrigue of song.
Track-wise, the album possesses endless appeal with the high
quality opener ‘If It Takes a Lifetime’
showing the Nashville hierarchy that you don’t need to write great country
songs by committee. While Isbell’s music is bound only by the influence of his
Alabama roots, one could foresee a full on country album surfacing in the future
to lift the genre into a new stratosphere. Likewise, there is a streak of soul
to be found in the album, especially on the track ‘The Life You Chose’, and once again with his Muscle Shoals roots
and influence this could be developed in the future. Of course Isbell is famed
for his southern rock tendencies as exemplified in his work with the 400 Unit and
as a key member of the Drive By Truckers. ‘Palmetto
Rose’, an ode to his fellow southern city of Charleston, is the album’s
archetypical rocker and flagbearer for his trademark upbeat sound.
The title track ‘Something
More Than Free’ is at the forefront of the autobiographical content as
Isbell explores the concept that total freedom can be a dangerous environment
and ‘Children of Children’ sees him
delving back further into the annals of his past. Of course every great
Americana record has some kind of reference to society away from the great
metropolis’s and Isbell’s contribution is the supreme effort ‘Speed Trap Town’, perfectly summing up
the ‘trappings’of his own upbringing environment.
Lyrically, Isbell thrills the analysts with the chorus line
of ‘You thought God was an architect, now you know/he’s something like a pipe
bomb ready to blow’ from the imperial second track and lead single from the
album ’24 Frames’. If you’re looking
for an inspired tale, ‘Hudson Commodore’ will
appeal and this is perhaps another aspect of the concept of freedom being
explored. ‘Flagship’ is your right on
the mark typical Jason Isbell modern mode of acoustic song delivery, while ‘How to Forget’ is a gentle reminder that
amongst the barrage of insightful lyrics, he can also master the killer melody.
This just leaves the concluding track ‘To a Band That I Loved’ to comment on and maybe the redeeming
feature is its similarity to ‘Cover Me Up’
which classically opened the previous record. It probably won’t need too much
imagination to reveal the band that he loved, but much pleasure is derived from
pondering the meanings of the writing.
While the troubles of his past are well documented, the
notion that ‘genius is the phoenix of desperation’ is no better exemplified
than in SOUTHEASTERN and now SOMETHING MORE THAN FREE. Jason Isbell has arrived
at a place of solace and a fruitful future is very much in his grasp to more
than match his respected past. This is not just an album for the present, but
one with the golden legs of longevity.
