What's Everyone Listening to?

[cortez the killer]

[cortez the killer]

[Iowan]

PS Most intriguing lyrics: "Vestavia Hills". "The boy genius is grown now..."

IMO it’s from the POV of Cooley directed to Jason circa 2008.

It’s not my theory, but I fully subscribe to it

[Iowan]

I can very easily imagine Cooley attending an early Jason solo show and dismissively tossing out that “well, the boy genius is grown now”

[chuckrh]

[cortez the killer]

[beantownbubba]

PS Most intriguing lyrics: "Vestavia Hills". "The boy genius is grown now..."

IMO it’s from the POV of Cooley directed to Jason circa 2008.

It’s not my theory, but I fully subscribe to it

That seems right; at the very least it's a reasonable interpretation/conclusion. Whether or not it's Cooley talking, it seems clear that an older been there, done that veteran is talking to Jason, the young phenom with issues.

[brettac1]

[Clams]

Have basically had these 5 on repeat for last week or two

[dime in the gutter]

[Clams]

[cortez the killer]

[Iowan]

Have basically had these 5 on repeat for last week or two

That new Jenny Lewis is pretty damn good. Not as immediate as On The Line, but it feels like a grower

[beantownbubba]

Obvious DBT influence is obvious on a number of cuts and that's all for the better imho.

Obvious Little Feat influence ("All That You Dream") is obvious on parts of the vocal on "Middle of the Morning."

Obvious Neil Young influence is obvious to the point of distraction on the first part of "Miles."

Forgot to say that the obvious Allman Brothers influence is obvious in a number of places but most obviously on "This Ain't It."

As influences go, this ain't a bad list.

[dime in the gutter]

lol at the truck nuts.

[Clams]

[Iowan]

PS Most intriguing lyrics: "Vestavia Hills". "The boy genius is grown now..."

IMO it’s from the POV of Cooley directed to Jason circa 2008.

It’s not my theory, but I fully subscribe to it

That seems right; at the very least it's a reasonable interpretation/conclusion. Whether or not it's Cooley talking, it seems clear that an older been there, done that veteran is talking to Jason, the young phenom with issues.

Vestavia Hills is a Birmingham suburb; Cooley lives in a (different) Birmingham suburb. The narrator has kids and his wife “pays the bills”. Cooley’s wife is a nurse IIRC, and capable of paying the bills single-handedly most likely. Maybe it’s not Cooley, but I can’t shake the idea.

“I won’t be around when you die in the van”. As cutting as it gets.

[Iowan]

This.

I’m struggling to hear a difference in the mix, but it’s a fine excuse to listen to one of the best albums of the 00’s.

[Cole Younger]

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Weathervanes

This has wildly exceeded my expectations. The King of Oklahoma is absolutely stunning and on par with Outfit, Elephant, Goddamn Lonely Love, et al. Makes me think of Smitty.

I haven’t heard a note of this and wasn’t even aware he had a new album out. That’s how far off my radar Jason has gone. Some of that is him and some of it is me. Crazy that you mentioned Smitty because I remember standing there at the Homecoming hangout talking to him and Flea and a couple more and the subject of Jason came up. I said, “I still like him but I don’t find myself wanting to listen to him anymore.” They all agreed and said that was how they felt. I’m excited to give this a try after reading what y’all have said. RIP Smitty. You’re missed. I know what I’ll be listening to this morning.

[cortez the killer]

[cortez the killer]

[cortez the killer]

Yo!

[cortez the killer]

[brettac1]

This.

I’m struggling to hear a difference in the mix, but it’s a fine excuse to listen to one of the best albums of the 00’s.

I don't love the new PPOTM, tbh.

[Zip City]

I’ve only sampled through it, but I like the new Sands a lot. Never loved the falsetto voice of the original

[Cole Younger]

Man Jason’s new album is a pleasant surprise. I didn’t think he still had this in him to be honest. To write a song as good as King of Oklahoma this far into his career is really impressive. Cast Iron skillet is really good.

I like the idea of Vestavia Hills being from Cooley’s perspective. I don’t know whether I would have thought that or not if I hadn’t read about it before hearing it but it sure makes sense. Along with the lines about the van and the boy genius the part about “the crowd seems ashamed” made me say “Ouch!” If it’s not about Cooley being at one of Jason’s early solo shows it should be.

[Zip City]

I find all these take’s interesting. I’m one of the few people who has liked his recent albums, so I don’t see this new album as this revelatory thing. It’s very good, but not leaps better than his last few records.

[lajakesdad]

This.

I’m struggling to hear a difference in the mix, but it’s a fine excuse to listen to one of the best albums of the 00’s.

This new mix sounds great. The main thing I hear is the vocals are way up in the mix. You can hear the lyrics much more clearly and the the backup vocals really stand out. The music is more balanced and certain parts jump out when they need to. But I don't love the new vocals and I see no need for them. Some are ok but not better than the originals. The old PPOTM has more passion and intensity. Really not feeling Sands of Iwo Jima. I dig the falsetto. But overall I love the new song additions and sequence. Just wish I got my presale vinyl.

[Iowan]

I find all these take’s interesting. I’m one of the few people who has liked his recent albums, so I don’t see this new album as this revelatory thing. It’s very good, but not leaps better than his last few records.

I thought Reunions was straight up dogshit, and that SMTF and Nashville Sound had 3-4 great songs and a lot of junk.

This has been like reconnecting with an old friend you thought you would never see again for me.

[Iowan]

This.

I’m struggling to hear a difference in the mix, but it’s a fine excuse to listen to one of the best albums of the 00’s.

This new mix sounds great. The main thing I hear is the vocals are way up in the mix. You can hear the lyrics much more clearly and the the backup vocals really stand out. The music is more balanced and certain parts jump out when they need to. But I don't love the new vocals and I see no need for them. Some are ok but not better than the originals. The old PPOTM has more passion and intensity. Really not feeling Sands of Iwo Jima. I dig the falsetto. But overall I love the new song additions and sequence. Just wish I got my presale vinyl.

I do like the sequence of the additional songs.

New PPOTM isn’t nearly as feral, unfortunately