it has been three years since hayes released ‘lovers and leavers’, an album that explored his recent divorce, self medication, and fatherhood. ‘what it is’ finds him returning to his earlier work, including more character songs, his trademark self deprecating humor, and a few roadhouse country rockers. all bookended by a couple of love songs, inspired by his new fiancee, allison moorer.

carll’s career seemed to be on the brink of stardom after his 2011 release, ‘kmag yoyo’, but his unhealthy habits on the road and the collapse of his marriage seemed to derail him, unfortunately. i thought ‘lovers and leavers’ was good, but i am really enjoying this one. this is his sixth studio album – i have all of them – and i think this ranks with his best work. one of the things i noticed on this one is his sharing of songwriting credits with other writers, a trend that is becoming much more common in his new hometown of nashville. foremost among them is moorer, who co-wrote half of the twelve songs (she also co-produced the album). the songs about relationships seem to have a theme of being honest about themselves and to each other, possibly reflecting their recent divorces (allison had recently left her ex husband steve earle).

maybe the best example of the power of co-writing is ‘jesus and elvis’, a song set in lala’s, a dive bar carll used to frequent in north austin.

written by carll, moorer, and matraca berg in 2016, it was originally recorded by kenny chesney on his #1 country album, ‘cosmic hallelujah’. it may be the best song on the album, along with the title cut.

the two songs that have the least appeal to me are near the end, ‘fragile men’ and ‘wild pointy finger’. here he enters into some political musings, and i think he doesn’t quite seem to get his point across, although his polemics are more subtle and sly than what i seem to hear today.

as he mentions in the title track, ‘what it was is gone forever, what it could be god only knows, what it is is right here in front of me, and i’m not letting go’. he seems to be in a good place for now, and this is a great addition to your collection, whether you are a long time fan of his work like i am or a newcomer to his material.