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PNEUMONIA
Whiskeytown
(Lost Highway)
Simple, tight and reminiscent of another age of rock 'n' roll, this is Whiskeytown's secret album, bogged down in legality and finally parading in the dog show. They even pledge their firstborn to their lawyers in the notes. But musically this was one of the defining lights of departure from what was then known as insurgent country, a tiny insect bite that led to a larger death - a good one that some in cowboy costumes have sadly yet to escape even though they rail against Nashville. Songs like Reasons to Lie remind you of an old Gary Numan or Billy Joel tune, in a positive, familiar way, and Don't Be Sad starts a record-long rise in your ears that you don't ignore till the music's over. Turn out the lights. Dig the orchestration on Paper Moon.
What's so familiar about the album, besides the fact it's been leaked for a while, is its lyrics and whispery catchiness. Ryan Adams rides over his words like a warm blanket, and they're always about something in the now, especially when he forgets his line, breaks a string and laughs. That said, he should be singing about you going and buying this.
Track Listing
1. Ballad of Carol Lynn
2. Don't Wanna Know Why
3. Jacksonville Skyline
4. Reason To Lie
5. Don't Be Sad
6. Sit and Listen to the Rain
7. Under Your Breath
8. Mirror Mirror
9. Paper Moon
10. What The Devil Wanted
11. Crazy About You
12. My Hometown
13. Easy Hearts
14. Bar Lights