What are your overall thoughts so far? It's interesting to get someone in here that hasn't been following Isbell as closely as we have the past several years, and also lends insight into what some these new audiences he's being exposed to now think of him.
I like it a lot, but it's much different than what I was expecting. The songwriting is exceptional...which is my highest priority. I appreciate that he enunciates as that's one of my frequent pet peeves, but his voice is rather nondescript(not that that's a bad thing necessarily). It grows on me more and more with each listen. Not a criticism...but I was expecting a heavier sound and would very much enjoy a heavier album of his.
For those of you who have seen Isbell live - how big of venues is he playing and how full are they? I just submitted an offer to his booking agent and am hoping I don't lose a ton of money here
I saw him about 4 years ago at a beach bar in destin with about 20 people in attendance. Saw him 2 years ago at a festival in dallas that had maybe 100-200 people watching his stage Saw him last year at a pretty small bar in okc that was jam packed. But he was supposed to be playing at an ampitheatre opening for woody nelson that night until that show got canceled the day of. He sent out a tweet that he would be playing at a bar about 3 hours before the show and played for about 2 straight hours, it was amazing.
Saw him a couple months ago in Clearwater at a venue that held 750 and it was either sold out or close to it. Think the venues vary drastically depending on location, but would imagine he sells out most of them.
I saw him at a beer festival outside of Chicago in June. Wasn't packed at all but they did 0 promotion on it. I was one of the few people that were there to see Isbell and most didn't know who he was.
In re Southeastern...the album would've been damn near flawless had it ended after the 8th track(Songs That She Sang in the Shower). I enjoy New South Wales and Relatively Easy in their own right but they are somewhat out of place with the first eight songs. I thought Super 8 was relative shit and Yvette was forgettable as well. I was curious about how big Isbell is these days...I was compelled to buy Southeastern because there was a five foot promo for the new album right when I walked in a New Jersey record store. Several songs seem like they could have a pretty mainstream appeal.
Going to have to disagree on Super 8. I'll concede it doesn't fit well with the album, but I think it's a perfect song for the drug/alcohol issues he had on the road. Same with New South Wales.
I thought the opposite of Yvette. That's some haunting and heavy shit, and that's a song that sticks with you after a listen. Damn strong song.
I think Isbell is about as big as you can get before being considered a mainstream success. Which is a pretty big feat considering he gets zero radio airplay. SMTF probably won't go Gold just because most of his fans bought the album the week it was released (the reason for its success on the billboard charts). And it won't get any Grammy nominations either because those are a joke now. But he's respect by literally everyone in the industry and draws huge crowds so he's got it pretty good.
Yea I assumed he was doing well and knew he was respected...I was surprised to see a prominent promo, but I guess he appeals to people who still go to record stores. I don't understand why he doesn't get any radio play. I guess there's a lot of politicking by labels who push those god awful songs even though many of his songs have broad appeal.
Super 8 was a song that grew on me. My first thought was that the beginning is so obnoxious, but the more I think about the context of that song and how it relates to Isbell's past, the more I like the song.
I liked it upon the first listen...I still like it, don't get me wrong, but it's definitely out of place and the songwriting just isn't near as nuanced as the rest of the album imo
Super 8 sticks out like a sore thumb on Southeastern. I don't mind the song but I also don't love it and it doesn't fit the masterpiece that is the rest of the album
in what sense? I get it with super 8 - its a hangover/party song but Yvette goes into a fair amount of detail
It's a song about a high school kid finding out his classmate is being sexually abused by her father by witnessing it through the shades of her bedroom. That's pretty deep imo
I'm on board with it not connecting to Isbell's life as much as the rest. I love it but the rest kind of has a part of his life where Yvette does not (I don't believe) so I can see what you're saying.
I think we all know that Daisy Mae is a sexy song but it doesn't have near the chub-factor of The Deeper In
I lean in and whisper, "girl, is your vagina named Michigan" because I'm about to spend seven years in it.
The subject matter doesn't have much bearing on the quality of a song...at least for me...the serious plot doesn't make it a great song per se...Desperados Under the Eaves is about as banal as it gets, but it's one of the more brilliant songs ever made imo.
................................................................. ........................................................ ................................................ .......................................... ..................................... ................................ ............................. ......................... ...................... .................. ............... ............ ........ ...... .... ... seven years in Michigan
Yvette is awesome imo. as time goes by relatively easy is my favorite on Southeastern. To a Band that I loved is my favorite on the new album followed by Hudson Commodore