"Southeastern by Jason Isbell" Stop the Country Disrespect

 


    After listening to this album I feel like that photo of Shaquille O'Neale "I owe you an apology, I wasn't really familiar with your game". I mean frankly, can you blame me? Country is like that weird cousin that reeks of both incest vibes and conservatism, so I was a bit concerned when friend Erock recommended I listen to this album. I mean looking back, I would say that country is mired with the corny and cliché music so perhaps the hatred is deserved, but Jason Isbell really challenged my view of country. So with bated breath I went in, because my friends claimed that the album was actually good, and here is my track-by-track review.

Southeastern by Jason Isbell

Cover Me Up – 85/100 Not what I expected? It’s a really nice slow softish song. Perhaps I have judged it too harshly or just don’t enjoy incest voices. The lyrics are what I expected from a country album and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.

Stockholm – 80/100 I can’t actually remember why I’m hesitant to listen to country music, I guess its because from what I hear its super cliché and stereotypical. This song is relatively short.

Traveling Alone - 70/100 Feel like averages for this album might be relatively high there’s nothing I really hate I think most slow acoustic guitar music is pretty enjoyable to be honest. The lyrics feel a bit corny or what I expected not sure how to make of it.

Elephant –  85/100 what. When did this guy start swearing stop trying to be so edgy go back to being soft country man. Actually never mind looking at the lyrics its warranted this song is kind of sad good job.

Flying Over Water – 75/100 Decent tune, but once again I don’t know why but I feel like these are stereotypical country lyrics.

Different Days - 65/100 I feel bad giving this album ratings lower than 65 because I’m genuinely struggling to find things to complain about this album and songs like this, but the reality is I just don’t really like it that much, like its enjoyable and I’d put it on while doing work, but not up there with catchier songs.

Live Oak –  80/100 Cool story. What the fuck he just casually killed a couple of people and did he really just ask if she wants the man who murdered a bunch of people??? Oh he killed her too ok.

Songs That She Sang in the Shower – 70/100 What can I say that I haven’t already, it’s a fine song, its not boring its just, more country

New South Wales 50/100 this song is very forgettable I just started doing some work and it faded into oblivion good job

Super 8 – 80/100 So he decided to like actually not just sing really softly. I can’t decide whether or not I actually like this song because it just screams Yee-Haw but at the same time I want to reply back with You said it brother it’s kind of fun?

Yvette – 50/100 Also kind of forgot this song was playing but its alright to have some sleepers I guess.

Relatively Easy -  70/100 This song was cool I like the guitars I guess overall a good album.

Final Score: 75/100

    I mean I was really genuinely impressed by the songwriting. While overall I do think that the writing is exactly what I'd expect from a country album, Isbell is an impressive storyteller which I think really shows on songs like Elephant and Live Oak which made me double take on the lyrics, because it didn't make me think haha country and actually made me want to look at the lyrics. There's not much I can complain about with this album and even if I would not put it in my topster, I can see why people enjoy it. If you're looking for some slow songs or an album to show you that country is more than just its cliches than this album is for you.

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