On Weathervanes, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Keep Getting Better as the World Gets Worse

[Hugh_Lebowski]

Coming out Friday peeps!

Jason produced himself, and it's getting EXCELLENT reviews.

All the 4 singles pre-released I liked better than anything on Reunions other than Dreamsicle.

Isbell and his backing band return with 13 emotionally charged, impressively performed songs

But while the writing on Weathervanes is carefully crafted and wildly impressive, what sets the record apart in a discography full of tattoo-worthy couplets is the contributions of The 400 Unit. They’ve undoubtedly been an integral part of Isbell’s past few efforts, but the band has never sounded so locked into an album’s singular vision.

https://consequence.net/2023/06/jason-isbell-and-the-400-unit-weathervanes-review/

[cilla4progress]

1. Bookmarking

Thanks

Will get off YT music on Friday - thanks!

[Abnredleg]

2. Saw them in February

Great show!

[utopian]

3. Going to see them in July

Looking forward to hearing the new stuff live.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

5. July 11 here in Phoenix, definitely contemplating

It's kinda hard though ... We saw him in 2013 on the Southeastern tour at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix (it's a club basically) and were literally 6 feet from him the whole show, directly in front of him, rocking out and singing along. He threw us his pick at the end of the show. Hope my ex-wife still has it.

It's never gonna be like that again when I see Jason ... definitely spoiled me.

Oh, and tickets were like $20 with fees lol.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

9. I think the Marquee show is sold out

I know tix were like $100. I still haven't seen him, but after Lizzo, Garbage, Elvis Costello and Alice Cooper tix we just couldn't swing the budget.
My big disappointments were missing that Crescent show and the Symphony Hall show in 2019 or so.
Listening to the new album now. It is excellent - sounds like its swinging back more towards classic rock than his last few albums. My biggest problem is that Southeastern was such a monster of an album (I firmly believe it is the best album of the 2010s) that I've been a little disappointed by everything since. More Than Free and Nashville Sound had plenty of great tracks on them, but neither was as coherent as Southeastern.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

10. Can't argue against Southeastern, if you like poignant and don't mind

... let's face it ... pretty depressing in many spots ... music

I don't mind it at all, I love lyrics that make me 'feel', even if it's sad. I actually love it when a song makes me tear up.

It has so much emotional heft, esp. with his back story. And a lotta great hooks.

I actually didn't get into Something More Than Free for awhile after it came out ... I listened once or twice and went ... it's so not as good as it's predecessor and set it down.

Since that Boston concert though, on SMTF tour, which I've watched like 10 times (the one in black and white, I LOVE that show), I've reevaluated and listened to it a ton by now. Once I saw (most of) the album played live, I 'got it' a lot more.

True it's not quite the level of SE, but it's still a really freaking great album, and the sound quality is noticeably better. Speed Trap Town almost always makes me tear up. It's crushing, man.

Agree on TNS and def. Reunions which didn't float my boat nearly as much as his earlier work.

Off to spin the new one!

[AZSkiffyGeek]

11. Children of Children has become one of my favorites of his

That guitar outro just destroys me every time, and the lyrics are just devastating.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

12. LOL I was just about to edit my post to mention how freaking killer

Children of Children is in that concert. I've probably watched that song 20 times.

Amanda had that guitar custom-built for him, with the steel guitar pickup at the bridge, like for his b-day or some such.

However, it's so good I can barely listen to the one on the album. It's like listening to No Quarter on HOTH ... when the Song Remains The Same version ... exists

First five songs on new album, all very good. 3 of them I'd heard before though. I kinda think Death Wish isn't the best choice of an opener, but minor quibble. Also minor quibble ... I usually love Chad's drum work, but it's kinda noticeably boring on Save the World. Felt kinda phoned-in. But it's a still a great song.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

13. Children of Children is one of those songs that almost always gets an automatic replay

On the new album, Miles has a serious Neil Young vibe, and I hear some Allmans in there as well.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

14. From a review that mentions Miles

"and the Crazy Horse-meets-the Heartbreakers-at-an-Abbey Road-listening-party moment that is “Miles.”"

Very apro-pos. Honestly I loved this album already by the end of White Beretta (another classic Isbell emotional crusher), but after the last two songs I'm like ... FUUUUUUUUUUU!

This is an amazing record.

So happy right now

And I HAVE to go to the Marquee show.

[Docreed2003]

4. Can't wait to listen to the whole album bro!

I agree this one should be an epic album.

[Docreed2003]

6. Bro, was I able to get a ticket to the album release show tomorrow night

Small little standing room venue here in Nashville. Pumped

[Hugh_Lebowski]

7. AWESOME BROTHA!!!

So jealous over here. That's gonna be so great

I don't think Jimbo's going to be there but I'm sure whoever stands in will be great.

Enjoy, and I expect a report!

[Docreed2003]

8. Most definitely will do.

Yeah, Jimbo won't be there, but I'm looking forward to see who is filling in for him.

[Docreed2003]

15. ...

[Hugh_Lebowski]

17. Thanks for the pics buddy!

Looks like you were hella close, nice!

[highplainsdem]

18. Great photos!

I checked earlier this morning to see if any of the show was on YouTube yet, but didn't find anything.

[Docreed2003]

16. One more...Jimbo was there in spirit