Pitchfork gave it a 7.8 and they don’t care for anything Isbell does, relatively speaking. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/jason-isbell-and-the-400-unit-reunions/
Gonna have to disagree with you guys on the Ryan Adams comment. I used to love the guy but while his music may give the appearance of thoughtfulness and self-reflection, his lyrics don't show the vulnerability and ownership that Isbell's do.
I don't think Jason's comment had anything to do with Ryan's honesty or lack thereof in regards to lyrics or music. I took it much more in terms of him being dishonest as a person in terms of hiding/not admitting things he had done.
I think my favorite tracks that he hadnt already released are Overseas, Letting You Go, and The River. Overseas is in his top 10 songs imo
It’s always weird listening to an album when you’ve already heard half the songs but it’s really good. It’ll take a little while before I can rank it against the rest of his catalogue
Deep Groove is a local record store here in Richmond. Owner is super cool and a huge music guy, think he's from Bama originally
I agree. Overseas is an amazing song. I think it tells the story of multiple couples. One obviously about a refugee couple who split up during a war. The narrator's wife went Overseas while he stayed to care for his father. I also think it's about a couple struggling in their marriage (i.e. Jason and Amanda) It also has such a badass guitar hook.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...with-jason-isbell/id908407811?i=1000474485003 Really great podcast with Isbell
I’m here for the Overseas love fest. Holy shit at that guitar. Has a 70s rock Fleetwoot Mac vibe which I love.
I live Reunions better than The Nashville Sound *ducks* It doesn't have an all-timer like If We Were Vampires but top-to-bottom it's a better record.
I think jason channeled his inner Mark Knopfler with the opening lick to running with our eyes closed. It’s another great album from him.
I maintain that the guitar fills/solo on Overseas is more akin to Cortez the Killer (Neil Young version, not DMB)
I hear Neil Young, Tom Petty, Van Morrison all on this album. I’m sure there are a hundred other influences that will come out over time.
First listen knee-jerk takes: 1. It Gets Easier 2. Letting You Go 3. Be Afraid 4. River 5. Overseas 6. St. Peter's Autograph 7. Dreamsicle 8. Only Children Can do without What Have I Done to Help and Running with Our Eyes Closed. Now that I've listed them like this, I feel a little better about this record than I thought I would. Cautiously approved after a single listen.
I've waited until today to listen to any of the new songs. I'm on my third listen through and have enjoyed it more each time. Early standouts for me are Only Children, Overseas, St. Peter's Autograph, and Letting You Go.
I love Amanda Shires for a million reasons (pushing Isbell to get sober, being his muse, being a great background singer, excellent fiddle work on all Isbell's album and her own and last but not least, being an absolute babe), but I can understand Isbell's frustration with her potentially overplaying her part when he's trying to produce rockers. On the flip side, I can absolutely see him unjustifiably being an asshole to her because of all the pressure he's facing to live up to the insane expectations he's created with his recent works. But I think I've found a compromise: they make an ELO inspired record together.
Someone else mentioned this, but Letting You Go is a classic and will be played at a million wedding dances and graduations.
I asked one of my closest friends for his opinion on Reunions and this was his response: "I like it but don't love it. I read a (review) that said it sounds like music made for a wedding in upscale rustic barn and honestly, I couldn't shake that feeling either." This guy loves DBT but he's also a Panic bro who most likely saw that shitty opinion on Jambase or some other trash forum. Long story short, we're no longer friends.
Any sales numbers or is it too early for that? I see he’s going back and forth with some boomers on Twitter about how major label artists bundle concert and record sales.
He owns the label and publishing rights so I feel like not being able to tour isn’t going to hit him as hard as other artists.
sounds like it’s a bitch working through the cancelled tour, so why sell tickets to something that may not happen again?
I generally don't mind Trigger and he introduces me to a bunch of artists that normally I would never hear, but damn if he isn't still butthurt over Isbell. https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-jason-isbells-reunions/
That article is funny in that it presupposes that Isbell should give a fuck what people think beyond making what he thinks is his best art.
It also presupposes that most shit country artists are conservatives which I don’t believe to be true anymore. They just choose not to say anything.
Been listening to this album all damn day and in classic Isbell fashion I’m having those “holy shit that is amazing” moments to lyrics on the 5th or 6th listen of a song.
Quick ranking after a few listens today 1. Overseas 2. Only children 3. Dreamsicle 4. River 5. It Gets Easier 6. What’ve I Done to Help 7. Letting you Go 8. St Peter’s Autograph 9. Be Afraid 10. Running with Our Eyes Closed
Only Children is my favorite. This is just amazing: Heaven's wasted on the dead That's what your mama said When the hearse was idling in the parking lot She said you thought the world of me And you were glad to see They finally let me be an astronaut
Haven’t seen enough of you boys eating crow and that’s okay because this is a thread of acceptance and support
That’s where I’ve got it. Southeastern just can’t be touched and I’ll notch this above Nashville sound
Southeastern is Isbell’s Graceland. Everything he ever does will be judged against it but for good reason