Showing posts with label The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. Show all posts

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Album Review: Sturgill Simpson - High Top Mountain

With the recent announcement that Sturgill Simpson plans to release a new album in May, I decided it time to listen to his critically acclaimed 2013 debut release: High Top Mountain. And yes, the buzz is accurate - this is timeless country - part outlaw, part honky tonk, part "hillbilly soul" - all a freight train ahead rolling forward. The first track (Life Aint Fair and the World is Mean) is a perfect introduction to the album. And then pick your track, You Can Have The Crown or Water in a Well, driving or ballad, these are authenticate songs and all incorporate that timeless old school country sound. The most powerful songs are Hero and Old King Coal - both relating to the major industry in his native Kentucky. I've read a lot of references comparing Sinpson to the late 70's Waylon Jennings - but I think this is the new outlaw country. And boy, I would love to hear a co-bill between Simpson and Mark Stuart of The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. Pair with Kentucky's Old Pogue Distillery - a contemporary Bourbon based on historic roots.