Listening to this record several times to compose some
primary thoughts did generate a comfort zone impression. There is a serene
relaxed feel to the dozen or so tracks with plenty of upbeat and positive vibes.
To both contradict and back up this assertion, further delving revealed Justin
extolling the circumstance of recording this album at a moment of exciting
stability in his life while making significant changes in how he makes a record.
Either way, what is more important is the fruits of this latest strand of
Justin Townes Earle music and there is plenty of appeal to extract.
In line with his previous work, the sound does bounce around
the genres with perhaps the two strongest elements being a general soulful
direction permeated by insertions of traditional country. You can also throw is
some good old folk storytelling in the guise of an updated version of ‘Same Old Stagolee’ and the pensive
nostalgic title track ‘Kids in the Street’.
The latter is one of several pieces to benefit from the dulcet tones of pedal
steel, while an equal dose of organ works wonders in stirring the soulful pot
across the record. These two aforementioned songs reveal the worth of the
lyrical content with lines such as ‘back when life was simple like 1, 2, 3’ being all that
is required to sum up losses accruing from gentrification. The title track
stemmed from Earle’s Nashville upbringing and focusses on his view of current
changes there. Elements of the city’s darker side inspired the updating of the
other track from its folk tradition base.
For the making of this record, Justin and his team headed west
out of Nashville intent on mixing up the sound. The soulful results of opener,
and one of the promotional tracks, ‘Champagne
Corolla’, alongside cultured rocker ‘Maybe
a Moment’, organ beneficiary ’15-25’
and ‘Short Hair Woman’ all appear as
testimonies to this transition. However two of the prime tracks are when the
Nashville core is returned to in the lovely feeling generated by ‘What’s She Crying For’ and the
traditional leaning ‘Faded Valentine’.
The latter possesses the most glorious, simple and prominent opening part before
settling into a gentle ear pleasing roller.
A bonus track on certain versions of this album (a first
release on New West Records) features a distinctive take on the Paul Simon
classic ‘Graceland’, but while
proving a familiar listening point for folks new to his music it doesn’t really
truly define where this album takes you. What KIDS IN THE STREET does do is
continue to establish Justin Townes Earle as a genuine artist, highly capable
of making fine music which will eventually find its way to its intended
listening base. A short UK tour this summer will give the album a lift over
here including a headline slot at the Maverick Festival.