Tyler Childers Breathes New Life Into Concert Staples For A Sonic Trip Through the Hills of Kentucky
- Jonathan
- Aug 2, 2019
- 3 min read
Artwork by Colonel Tony Moore
“Country Squire” the highly anticipated follow up to 2017’s “Purgatory” has had Childers’ fans buzzing since the first teaser of artwork was introduced in the spring. On a steady ascent through his career with his first release “Bottles & Bibles” and the “Live on Red Barn Radio” volume one and two series, “Purgatory” introduced Tyler to the world on a grand scale; raking in award after award and being brandished the true country music savior while selling out venues at a rapid pace across the country and internationally. That album started a countdown and that countdown has led us to a surefire blastoff with his 2019 release “Country Squire”. An album co-produced by Sturgill Simpson and Dave Ferguson that has expanded Tyler’s sound and flipped the script on some fan favorites.
The album kicks off with a pure country firestarter in the title track. Some fans were worried about the direction of the album when the first two singles were released, but the opening track lets you know that Tyler and company have no intention of being anything other than a damn good representation of all the music that makes the Bluegrass State so special.
The next few songs see a slight change in vocal delivery, which seems to have been a point of emphasis. From my point of view it seems like Tyler has toned down his voice without sacrificing the passion with which he sings. It’s most noticable on “Creeker” during its big vocal moments, I think this ever so slight change will make it easier on Tyler’s show schedule and ease the tension on his vocal chords and prolong a stellar career.
Heading into the latter part of the album, you get the two previously released singles “House Fire” and “All Your’n” which, if you had any concern when they were released, fit beautifully into the vibe and flow of the album. Throw in a song that is sure to be a hit with the on’ry portion of the fan base, we’re all heathens at heart, “Ever-Lovin’ Hand” is a love song for those lonely nights on the road away from your significant other. The biggest change in format comes on the fan favorite “Peace of Mind” a more upbeat song in its early stages, but as we learned with his Forecastle Festival and Grand Ole Opry appearances it has been slowed down considerably. My first thought when I saw the first clip of him singing this version was “Oh no, not Peace of Mind!”, but after the Opry performance and sitting with this version only, I’ve fallen in love with it. I’d like to know if this was a natural progression for the song or if maybe the combo of Sturgill Simpson and Dave Ferguson had their hand in it for the flow of the album, either way I believe the right decision was made.
The last track on the album, “Matthew” is a song about his brother in-law and is an ode that sounds like it would fit into anyone of his albums, but the instrumentation really takes it up a notch and is a fabulous closer to this stunning album.
The gatefold of “Country Squire” designed by Jimbo Valentine.
“Country Squire” is a wonderful work of art as a collection; the album art was a joint venture between Colonel Tony Moore on the cover and Jimbo Valentine putting his stamp on the gatefold. The work that Sturgill Simpson and Dave Ferguson put into the production is otherworldly and a seamless album that flows together as one as one track bleeds right into the next. While the musicians have contributed to that otherworldly sound, they have also made this 100% a country record from beginning to end. Miles Miller is a noticeable name on the list of those that contributed, but everyone involved from the fiddle, steel, and jaw harp helped breathe life into this record. Two music videos into the album we already see some type of story being told and we can all hope that it continues on and adds to the trippy mystique of this album.
Tyler Childers hasn’t stopped being who he is, has the music gotten more advanced? Yes. Has his star become brighter? Yes, but he’s still that boy from the holler who tells tales of the roads we’ve all run and the people we’ve all met. Go pick up a copy of “Country Squire” today or stream it anywhere music is found.
Comments