"Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Weathervanes"

 


    If I had told you I had already reviewed two other albums by Jason Isbell would you believe me? Probably not, because it sounds very fake to me as well. Well I have nothing else to say about country music other than the fact that there are about 2.5 songs by Jason Isbell on my liked songs playlist that I actually enjoy, and my friend Erock really loves him, so I hope to raise it to 3.5 by the end of this album. So without further ado, my track-by-track review.

Weathervanes - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Death Wish - 80/100 I need to stop being pleasantly surprised when I put this mans music on. I don't know why I act like I've never liked country music in my life when I distinctly remember actually being very impressed with this man and his music every time I listen to him.

King of Oklahoma - 85/100 I really love the art where his voice starts going and he sings "She used to wake me up with coffee every morning" it really does seal the deal for what is already a phenomenal song. This chorus is just perfect every time he sings it I love it more

Strawberry Woman - 65/100 A cute enough slow song but probably not something I'd go out of my way to listen to again.

Middle of the Morning - 70/100 A fine enough track I suppose I just expected the chorus to be a lot stronger and so that's what's throwing me off with it.

Save the World - 76/100 Jesus Christ this song is dark but I still enjoy it. I think the chorus is pretty catchy and it kind of carries what is a fairly long song, but most of Isbell's tracks seem to be this length, at least for this album.

If You Insist - 55/100 About the same feelings as Strawberry Woman but I felt like this song was a decent bit more boring I don't think I'd ever go out of my way to listen to it again.

Cast Iron Skillet - 50/100 Like the other slow tracks I do think the lyrics are good and hearing about all of the horrific things that happened to people close to Isbell is interesting. But also the song pretty much stays that one tone the entire time and it's hard for me to want more because of that.

When We Were Close - 80/100 A nice change of pace I'm kind of really digging this song, especially the guitar solo that's in the second half I quite enjoy the tune being played.

Volunteer - 70/100 Kind of enjoying the folksy vibe that this song gives off.

Vestavia Hills - 60/100 I think this song sounds different enough sonically from the rest of the slow songs on this album to save itself, but not catchy/interesting enough for me to really rate it higher.

White Beretta - 50/100 Sadly Isbell has kind of lost me towards the second half of this album, it's not that this song is bad it's just it's kind of boring. Perhaps I'm being too picky. Don't get me wrong he can tell a story that's for sure, but I'd like perhaps just a bit more variety when it comes to the instrumental accompanying the story.

This Ain't It - 70/100 I quite like the gusto he sings the chorus with, but also this song is six minutes long when personally I feel like it really doesn't need to be that long. I don't think the added length really contributes much to the song either it's pretty samey if not good.

Miles - 75/100 I think basically the same principle applies to this song as the last song. I do think that Miles uses the length allotted to it better, with sort of different stages of the song, but I'd also be remiss to mention that it's also a minute longer, so you'd hope a 7 minute song has multiple parts to it.

Final Score: 70/100

    Just because this album started off with it's two strongest tracks does not mean it's without merit. At this point I should be looking forward to reviewing a Jason Isbell album, because he really is a great storyteller. I think if you have any sort of reservations about country music, but consider yourself someone who really enjoys listening to music/ is willing to broaden your horizons, absolutely give Isbell a listen. Other than that, I'd probably listen to the first two tracks more but sadly both Sabrina Carpenter and Magdalena Bay released new albums today so I'll probably go listen to those. Will those albums get full reviews on the blog? Eh, we'll see.

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