that's probably fair. The Georgia album shouldn't really count in any case.Jim01 said:
I like how the weathervane only has South and East on it. Nice touch.
I hardly think his latest albums are forgettable, just hard to follow two masterpieces like Southeastern and Something More Than Free.
very true. Some of my favorite lyrics were things I didn't catch until much later (like years in some cases).TexjbA&M said:
That's kinda how I feel. Southeastern & Something More Than Free are about as good as you can get. The Nashville Sound actually really really grew on me and for me, it's just a hair below the previous two. I never really came to love Reunion in the same way, however, I think it's still solid with a handful of great songs. I've learned to never judge an Isbell song till you've listened to it several times with some time between listens. Sometimes stuff pops out in the music or lyrics that just didn't land till you've had time to absorb it.
Yeah, the first time through Reunions I wasn't totally sold, but over the last couple of years I have grown to love it. There are a few songs on it that are far from his best, but even Isbell's "average" stuff is better than 95% of music.jh0400 said:
Reunions took some time to grow on me, but it's gotten there. St. Peter's Autograph is one of my favorite songs of his.
That one also had some real Fleetwood Mac energy considering he wrote it for his wife at the time, who was also the DBT bassistJim01 said:
*********Lonely Love is amazing.
I first heard it from the "Live From Alabama" album and loved it as what I felt was a rocking, swaying, song about a guy missing his girl.
Then I heard the original Drive By Truckers version and it knocked me on my ass. I really listened to the lyrics and realized what a devastating song it is about a guy drinking and whoring himself to death. Every time I put on The Dirty South I have to move the needle at the end to listen to GDLL twice.
Just a great example of how sometimes it takes years to really LISTEN to his lyrics and get them.
I'm splitting hairs and your point still stands. But a lot of people can shred at his level, very very few can write songs at his level.Quote:
And while he gets a ton of credit for his songwriting Isbell can absolutely shred on a guitar. I think he's just as good on a guitar as he is with a pen.