Monday, January 12, 2015

Album Review: Parker McCollum - The Limestone Kid

For the past few weeks I've kept  Sirius Radio turned off while I've listened to Parker McCollum's upcoming album - The Limestone Kid.  There's something special about this release that I can't really pinpoint. Initially my thoughts were, "yea - pleasant tracks". But something kept inciting me to return again and again. Only in his early twenties, McCollum provides solid vocals and the lyrics are interesting. (He wrote or co-wrote nine of the eleven songs.)  But I think it's the ensemble that makes this release attractive. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Corby Schaub must take a lot of this credit with help from lead guitarist Kurt Grien and bassist Jason Newberry. With McCollum on the acoustic guitar and harmonica - this is a tight outfit.  Look forward to the February 24th release date and pair with Conroe Texas' two breweries: B-52 Brewing or Southern Star Brewing.
  • Happy New Year - most pop-ish of the collection
  • Lucy - classic rock and roll song - love the electric guitar
  • Meet You in the Middle - great rhythm
  • All Day - the only mention of The Limestone Kid
  • Prohibition Rose - written by brother Tyler McCollum with Lloyd Maines on steel guitar
  • The Tune - one intricate tune
  • Galveston Bay - penned by cousin Austen Biggers; my favorite with a waltzy feel and a soothing fiddle
  • Who's Laughing Now - remove the female harmonies and I hear Sons of Bill; another favorite track
  • High Above the Water - more solid electric guitar with repeating melodic vocals (it works for me)
  • New Orleans - runs like a fast moving Mississippi River; love the line: "babe, you're the only thing as heartless as me"
  • Silhouette - the album concludes with a ballad - tight musicianship