while we await the release of jason isbell’s album, i thought that it might be a good idea to look at another release by a guy i first heard of when perusing isbell’s site. there were two john moreland cd’s available, and i also noticed that he was an occasional opening act for jason. i bought both of them, and really liked them, but for some reason didn’t love them. i really dig this one. known in songwriting circles as an excellent purveyor of tunes that tug at the heartstrings (he is miranda lambert’s new favorite writer), this one doesn’t veer too far from that target. but he is recently married and that experience seems to have informed his work, in a slightly more positive way. like an isbell album, the first take is impressive, but the true depth of the lyrics become more profound as you listen to it a few more times. he sings these songs with a gravelly voice that is two parts ‘nebraska’ era springsteen and one part tom waits. the arrangements are definitely more fleshed out and varied. his usual touring partner in crime is multi-instrumentalist john calvin abney. his contributions here are significant. rick steff provides some great keyboard. it is a mature piece of work.

about twelve bucks online. the best twelve dollars you will spend today.