--- Plinky, moody opening with “Save The World,” a track that stood out on the new Weathervanes album. Nice choice.
--- Surprisingly, the documentary Running With Our Eyes Closed made me less into Isbell into heading into Wolftrap. Fortunately, the gorgeous weather and jog through the Barns immediately made up for it. Also, great title.
--- “King of Oklahoma” is enhanced by a quick electric riff halfway through. Then by a bigger one that definitely wasn’t on the album!!
--- “Dreamsicle”!!!! The song itself is a triumph: clear vocal, piercing lyrics, and the best backstory from the documentary. It’s enhanced by the Captain America I’m sitting next to tapping ME to tell me he usually doesn’t improv this early. Toto, I’m not In Chaminade anymore…
--- Hahaha: “Kenneth hits the gong. He only does it once because if he does, he’s hitting the gong. If it’s more than once, he’s playing the gong, which you definitely don’t want to do.”
--- “Death Wish” is a satisfying red rip. The streak continues.
--- “Strawberry Woman” is a step down, though I dig the Baltimore accordion.
--- “Last of My Kind”!!!! Exquisite first half. The sound, lyrics, and story need no adornment. Everyone embraces the jam in the second half, a beautiful descent into silence. So tender.
--- “Stockholm” should have stayed in Sweden.
--- “White Beretta” references Memphis. That’s its only woo.
--- “Middle of the Morning” has a vocal power the last two lacked. Legit woo!!
--- Non-Marvel guy to my right is most looking forward to “Honeysuckle Blues.” My wish list is “Alabama Pines” and “24 Frames.” I’ll probably only get “24 Frames.”
--- “Overseas” has an edge from the start. Not spectacular, but yes.
--- “Good job, Chad. Good job on the drums. Gotta be specific.”!!
--- “Alabama Pines”!!!! Simple, thrilling – especially since Non Marvel said “there you go” immediately, for me, for the concert.
--- “Elephant” is super intense lyrically, and I have to look it up after!! The insistent acoustic plucking halfway through adds to it. Could Isbell become a poor man’s Wilco for me? Not quite, but miles better than the doc.
--- Love how he introduces each band member right after a song. Not just dumped together. Everyone gets their due. Speaking of…
--- “Honeysuckle Blues”!!!! Different vibe, unrestrained rock. KILLED IT.
--- Speaking of a different vibe… “Cast Iron Skillet”: the crowd doesn’t know this new acoustic number, but the vocal is *crisp.* There’s a little guitar lilt underneath that improves the sound.
--- “Miles”!!! Stood out in one listen on the album. Gets a deserved BELLOW here. Love the shift in and out of Zeppelin.
--- “Cover Me Up”!!!! An outstanding song. Made more so by, fingers crossed, his stable recovery. Glad he listened to Cap.
--- “24 Frames”: surprisingly midtempo, but “if God was an architect” is a strong hook, and “glad you got that”(!!!)
--- “If We Were Vampire”: LYRICS, BRO. Wow.
--- Aww, I hadn’t noticed an ASL interpreter. Nice.
--- “This Ain’t It”: not necessarily a final song, but enjoyable. HA at the guitar chat towards the end.
Overall, way better than expected. Also love that people are talking about albums on the way back!
Grade: B+/A-
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