Album Review – “Purgatory” by Tyler Childers
Timing is the intangible quantity that is often overlooked for why sweet lady luck smiles upon certain artists and allows their music to succeed, and why others fall flat, or never seem to find the success their relative talent deserves. If Sturgill Simpson had started his career in earnest at age 23, he may have become a known quantity in music way before he was ready, typecast as just okay, and not be in a position where if he randomly chooses to produce an album from some unknown Kentucky songwriter, it immediately results in a necessity to pay attention.
Just like Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers was playing and writing music for many years before he was ready to become a part of the national country music conversation. It was only after years of failure, perseverance, tempering in the fires of everyday life and dues paid on small stages that Tyler was able to find enough wisdom furrowing his brow and the proper resources beneath him to take it to the masses.
Some of the songs on Tyler Childers new album Purgatory are old, but the world was not ready for them when they were first released. Kentucky was, but not the rest of us. The rising country music insurgency had yet to take hold to the point where you had folks like Stapleton, Sturgill, and Isbell influencing the mainstream. Some of the stuff on Tyler’s early recordings, including his Live on Red Barn Radio records, contain moments that duplicate or may even surpass the infectiousness and appeal of the moments on this new album. But what good is a song if nobody is listening to it? Give credit to those savvy few who were paying attention to Tyler Childers way before the rest of us. It just took some time and Sturgill Simpson’s involvement for everyone else to pay attention.
Beyond anything else, the first identifier most worthy of assigning to Tyler Childers and Purgatory is that it is country. Its twangy, sweaty, live and loose. And with apologies to Sturgill—because the past comparisons have been made off of shallow observances—but there is a lot of Waylon on this record. Or perhaps it’s better to say that there was always a lot of Otis and across-the-tracks influence in Waylon’s music that was transferred into country music through Waylon, and that influence also find its way onto this Tyler Childers record.
We are talking about half time bass shit, hard grooves, and twangy stuff that comes from bloodshot eyes and untucked shirts unbuttoned to mid chest. There is also a straight up bluegrass song as the title track, and even a song that is fair to call contemporary in “Universal Sound,” like something Dierks Bentley would record back when he was still cool. But overall, this is country, baby.
People will make a lot of Sturgill Simpson’s presence on this record, which is only fair and understandable. But the best producers are the ones who know how to get out of the way of the music and leave any signature stamping to the artist and the musicians involved, and most importantly, bring out the best in the artist whose name’s in bold on the cover as opposed to in small font on the inner sleeve. Sturgill Simpson accomplished is this by making the center of focus not him, but Tyler Childers, his songs, and his warbly, greasy, interior Kentucky accent that adds authenticity to everything on this record.
It’s that nexus between rural, real-world vernacular, filtered through an intelligent perspective, and gifted with poetic insight that makes an album like Tyler Childers’ Purgatory more infectious than your average throwback country effort. This album makes no apologies, and no attempts to sand down the rough edges, speaking candidly about drug use and womaizing similar to those early underground records from folks like Hank3 that helped set the table for the current country insurgency, yet is still distinctly Kentucky in perspective, steeped in the hollers of coal country, where the action happens down winding roads shaded from the sun due to the looming hills, and debauchery is so easy to discover if you know where to go looking.
You do get a sense similar to the Brent Cobb album from last year that despite being consistent throughout and delivering some really excellent songs, this isn’t one of those records sticks to your bones eternally. It lacks a cohesive expression, and originality in musical approach. But it does put Tyler Childers in the place he belongs right here right now, which is alongside a stellar group of new, if not young artist who are giving hope to the future of country music and happiness to our ears in the here and now.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8/10)
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TheRealBobCephus
August 4, 2017 @ 8:24 am
I’m surprised you didn’t make any comments about the production. On first listen, this sounds like it has a lot of the production issues you like to point out on Dave Cobb records. It just sounds fuzzy to me.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
August 4, 2017 @ 8:26 am
how dare you sir? I assure you nothing I or anyone I play with play sounds anything like this!!!
haha
Trigger
August 4, 2017 @ 8:40 am
Not really hearing any production issues, including similar to the ones I’ve pointed out on Sturgill records. I wouldn’t call it a clean record, or blessed with amazing sound production like the Zephania Ohora record. But there wasn’t the fuzzy film that makes my ears perk on a lot of east Nashville records these days. But that’s just my opinion.
HayesCarll23
August 4, 2017 @ 11:46 am
Not being a jerk, but are you sure something isn’t wrong with your media? I am so sensitive to the type of production your referring to and I don’t hear it at all here.
Trigger
August 4, 2017 @ 12:07 pm
Sometimes albums in NPR’s First Listen feature are loaded in in an inferior quality to the actual recording. Same goes for previews through Amazon and iTunes. Could potentially explain the quality issues some hear on this record.
Jeff Dooley
August 6, 2017 @ 12:35 pm
I bought the album on download and it sounds amazing, gritty and rough but that’s what a Tyler Childers record needs to sound like! I thinks its a great record.. as well as several other new albums out today, Chris Stapleton From A Room, Steve Earle So You Wanna Be An Outlaw…. I cant remember a time in recent history of country music when I had three CD’s I could listen to over and over again all being released very close together!! There is hope for real country music again!
Renee
August 5, 2017 @ 5:51 pm
Well I love it!
Is that you @HayesCarll23
Stringbuzz
August 4, 2017 @ 12:04 pm
Honestly think that is why you have Sturgill doing his work with Ferguson now. I don’t have any of those complaints with this. I actually think it sounds fantastic.
Big Cat
August 4, 2017 @ 5:39 pm
Oh Jesus. I’ve heard it all. Y’all can bitch just about anything.
TheRealBobCephus
August 4, 2017 @ 7:06 pm
Nothing wrong with my audio, this record just sounds very meta-modern to me, specifically the vocal tracks. I think they just added some reverb to the track, but to me it sounds muddled slightly. It just reminds of all the albums I’ve listened to that Trigger has made a comment about the production. I’m not bitching per se, just commenting on what I heard.
Terry Turner
November 6, 2017 @ 11:57 am
I’ve seen Tyler live a bunch of times with the FOOD Stamps – they sound way better than is over produced nonsense – its like they tried to make it sound to Nashville, added way to much polish stuff.
I know how it should sound rather the rawness to Tyler – White house Rd – was butchered for GOD sacks!
The best version is on you tube music – live one with the honeys dancing – the lead break in that is killer as is the bass playing –
Fuzzy TwoShirts
August 4, 2017 @ 8:28 am
this is, gritty, dark, and kinda intense.
I like it.
Yeah, it sounds like the old rockin outlaw Country.
but for God’s sake we can stop talking about Waylon now.
the real Country Music crowd who hates the pop country the most are all “Waylon this Johnny that Merle blah blah blah”
I love that stuff but my Country music was Don Walser, George Jones, Porter Wagoner, and not so much the image that went with Waylon and Johnny.
ZBB sucks...Midland ROCKS!!!
August 4, 2017 @ 9:38 am
whatever floats your boat hoss
Jack Young
August 4, 2017 @ 10:50 am
Waylon is the goat
Truth5
August 6, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
Jones is the GOAT….. period, and Waylon, cash, and Merle would all say the same if they were still here… like they said when they were still here….
Jack Young
August 6, 2017 @ 9:23 pm
Its just an opinion, but in my opinion a guy who does not write the majority of his songs can’t be considered the goat, I love george jones, but he is not the goat in MY opinion
Truth5
August 7, 2017 @ 10:11 am
Lol Waylon didn’t write the majority of his songs, Waylon actually wrote very little of his music.. Jones is arguably a top 50 songwriter in his own right (just one more, color of the blues, just don’t give a damn, these days I barely get by, we’re gonna hold on, tall tall trees, the window up above, life to go)… when did you start listening to country music, last month? George outsing Waylon with has jaws clenched….. Jones the greatest country vocalist period…if you want to combine singer/songwriter and vocalist, then you’d have to say Hag is greatest…..
Jack Young
August 7, 2017 @ 7:18 pm
stop stating your opinions as if they are facts, in my opinion waylon is the goat, my personal favorite is DAC, I respect your opinion, respect mine
Honky
August 4, 2017 @ 12:52 pm
Waylon, Willie, Cash are for the young, urban crowd that discovered Country music 5 years ago.
Porter, George, and Don Walser are for the folks who’ve been listening either most, or all their lives.
Stork
August 4, 2017 @ 2:36 pm
I agree and disagree.. while this is true to an extent in that they are considered the hip “outlaw” artists, I am a huge fan of them as well as Porter, George, and Don, and I have been a country music fan all of my life. Don’t dismiss them altogether, there’s a reason for their universal appeal.
Honky
August 4, 2017 @ 6:01 pm
Oh I’m not dismissing them. I’m just pointing out why they’ve become so popular lately.
I really love Waylon’s voice, and Willie’s a great writer. But neither of them are super important to me.
Bertox
August 4, 2017 @ 6:50 pm
Honky complimented Willie and Waylon (however back-handedly), and I hit “like” on his comment. In other news, it is currently 31 degrees Fahrenheit in hell…
Christian H
August 4, 2017 @ 9:58 pm
Popular lately? Did you start listening to music 5 years ago? How about 40 years ago when they were actually “popular,” as in on the radio all the time?
Honky
August 5, 2017 @ 10:20 am
Christian H,
If you want to play games, and deny the reality that Waylon, Willie, Cash, etc. have dramatically increased in popularity with the rise of the hipster movement, go right ahead.
It’s trendy and cool to be a fan of this stuff, but ask them if they like Moe Bandy, and they won’t know who you’re talking about.
Jim Bob
August 6, 2017 @ 12:53 pm
Honky,
Has basically nothing to do with this, but Moe Bandy did a medley of massive country hits he’d passed on over the years at the Westport Roots Festival back in May. It was fucking great, mostly because he had a sense of humor about the whole thing. He was 0% bitter, just laughing at his own poor judgement. I’ll remember that one probably forever.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
August 4, 2017 @ 7:57 pm
that makes sense.
About listening all their lives versus just discovering it.
Porter Wagoner is special to me.
Justin S
August 4, 2017 @ 10:39 pm
Is it bad that people discovered real country music 5 years ago, it doesn’t make Faron young Johnny Horton lefty web pierce any less important. Waylon and Johnny are just the hip jumping off point, in the path of finding other great music
Honky
August 5, 2017 @ 10:22 am
Didn’t say it was bad.
TwangBob
August 5, 2017 @ 5:00 am
Hey Fuzzy, I think ya just cobbled a cool country music song title: “Waylon This, Johnny That, and Merle Blah Blah Blah.” I’ll give ya props when I write it.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
August 5, 2017 @ 5:52 am
bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Jeff Dooley
August 6, 2017 @ 12:40 pm
TwangBob, you got to mention a girl in daisy dukes with tan legs, a pickup truck on a dirt road, under the moonlight , fireball shots, and making love on the tail gate…. Wait somebody call Jason Aldean we may have his next #1 song…. maybe get 50 cent to rap the Waylon this Johnny That and Merle blah blah blah line…. LMAO!!
63Guild
August 4, 2017 @ 8:29 am
Glad to see the rest of the world finally has discovered someone we in Lexington have got to appreciate for the past few years. Like Trig said, if you get a chance the Red Barn Radio sessions are great accompaniment to this. Good luck Tyler!
ManBearPig
August 4, 2017 @ 8:29 am
I’ve had this on repeat since the NPR First listen went up a week or so ago. It sounds much better now streaming through Apple Music. Great collection of songs. Banded Clovis is a fantastic murder ballad.
Kevin Smith
August 9, 2017 @ 6:11 am
So you raise an interesting conundrum for me. NPR! I have enjoyed the fact that NPR does play a lot of great music. They do its a fact. But the reality is they have that we are superior …intellectual, urban hipster vibe going on. Nothing about them..their reviewers, their programming could ever be described as country. So it bugs me that they purport to somehow have their finger on the pulse of country music, as if their opinion deeply matters. In fact I get suspicious when they start liking a country artist too much. It seems when you analyze it there’s often a political reason behind it. So, what is their fixation on Tyler all about?
I haven’t given up on NPR altogether by any means but I do wonder.
Wallace
August 4, 2017 @ 8:43 am
This album is country, but it’s more than that. Bandid Clovis is a good folk murder ballad, Purgatory is straight bluegrass, I could hear Jason Isbell covering Feathered Indians. A lot of songs go to more of the traditional sound than the outlaw stuff. The most outlaw tracks on this album are Whitehouse Road which sounds like old Steve Earle and Honky Tonk Flame which is the only track that really sounds like Sturgill. The sound is more varied than you give it credit for, I think.
Jim
August 4, 2017 @ 8:47 am
I’ve been a fan of Tyler’s for awhile. The videos of him playing solo at the Red Barn on YouTube are solid gold.
Listening to the song at the bottom of your review though just left me feeling flat… I hoped Sturgill Simpson wouldn’t fall into the trap of bogging down a great acoustic musician with a bunch of added on instrumentation. This is the same thing that ruined all of Chris Smither’s 90’s studio albums as well. Oh well, at least I still have the Live at the Red Barn albums to listen to…
jtrpdx
August 4, 2017 @ 9:08 am
I wouldn’t let the version of Whitehouse Road turn you off to the rest of the album (although it is an amazing version). It is the most Sturgillized track on the album, along with Universal Sound.
Trigger
August 4, 2017 @ 12:09 pm
I also think it’s the best album on the album, which is the reason I included it. It was also released first as the “single.” The problem with listening to ANY second version of a song is your brain gets used to the first, and then the new one comes along and it’s going to cause conflict, like reading a book before watching a movie based on it.
Nick
August 4, 2017 @ 2:58 pm
I’ve listened to the songs that make up this album for the past few years, obviously acoustic and solo.
The instrumentation on some of these album tracks bothers me, too. Universal Sound sounds terrible in my opinion (and I really love that song), as do a few others. Whitehouse Road is OK but partially because it’s so catchy and fun (same with Purgatory).
I swear (to God) and Banded Clovis on the other hand sound really good.
I think part of the issue is that, if I didn’t know better, you couldn’t convince me this entire album was recorded by the same band. There’s a lack of flow to this album and while one may be quick to blame Sturgill, I can’t say lack of flow has ever been an issue on his own albums (including self produced A Sailors Guide To Earth). Some of the songs sound like they used generic backing tracks in a 1-4-5 progression and sprinkled in some pedal steel.
When Sturgill put that band of Nashville session musicians together for High Top Mountain, it sounded pure and authentic and the songs that made up the album sounded related, like they shared a common tone and theme. This one, not so much.
Doesn’t matter. I love Tyler’s music and I’ve been a fan since way back when Bottles And Bibles came out. I sat in the rain to hear Tyler play under a bridge, it’ll take more than a few rough tracks to stop listening
Big Cat
August 5, 2017 @ 12:49 pm
Are Jim and Nick same guy?
Like 2-5-1 C major jazz backing? Come on man I’m mean seriously. I’m not saying I’m right and your wrong but how fucking analytical do you want to get? We get it, those first to anything hate the version new fans come to love (human nature)……but for the majority who have never heard these songs the music and production here is spot on. This album is a “10” hands down in my opinion. Huge fan of this kid now.
Nick
August 5, 2017 @ 1:18 pm
Big Cat, I don’t know Jim and I’m definitely not posting under multiple names here.
A 1-4-5 progression is among the most common found in country, blues, folk, etc. For musicians, 1-4-5 is just a very basic chord progression. To be fair, Tyler wrote many of these songs in a 1-4-5 progression so the band didn’t interfere in that.
Don’t misunderstand me, I’m a huge Tyler Childers fan and I’m very glad that he’s finally able to put out another studio album. I want my favorite artists to be able to make enough money off of their music to keep albums and shows coming.
My issue, as has been echoed here by others, is that the addition of a band to songs that are A.) folksy and simple, and B.) already well known by longtime fans as being performed acoustic and solo. Colter Wall’s music is the same. He performed many of the songs that made up his recent album by himself, and subsequently released them to YouTube for fans to hear 100 times before the studio versions came out. The backing instrumentation on Colter’s album was sparse and complimented the song. I feel that a lot of the instrumentation on Tyler’s album either over powers the song, or attempts to recreate it entirely. Combined with my opinion that there are too many different styles of playing from track to track, leaving these songs feeling a little disjointed from each other.
I’ll reiterate: Tyler Childers is easily in my top 5 favorite current artists right now. I go way back with his music and this album doesn’t change my opinion of Tyler as a songwriter and an artist. It’s his album and not mine, so I genuinely hope t came out exactly like he planned. However, my opinion is that his voice and his songs speak for themself, and the addition of the (at times) over done instrumentation doesn’t present the songs in the simple, folksy way that I’ve come to love them.
Big Cat
August 6, 2017 @ 11:47 am
Nick – respect your take and you obviously know his music. My point is simply at the end of the day it was Tyler who approved this production….and most all musicians in this vein are going to be great acoustic or amped up with backing. It’s not like Gilmour can’t blow your mind singing Wish You Were Here whether it’s with 18 semi trailers of production or sitting on his couch playing a Martin.
I just think it’s a little elementary to say Sturgill over produced the album (not your words – others) when he wasn’t even the only producer. Yes it’s not acoustic but it’s not overproduced by a long shot. I think they gave the music a “moment” tyler deserved. But hey everyone’s entitled to an opinion and I respect yours here. One thing we can all agree on is Sturgill gave this kid a huge break because not many folks knew him and now lots of people are jazzed. Good for him. I think it’s two thumbs up.
Big Cat
August 6, 2017 @ 1:45 pm
Sorry…one more point. When I first heard about this project I started listening to what I could find from Tyler, both acoustic and with backing, and a lot of this album appears to be songs he’s been playing for awhile. Being new to his music, my opinion is they actually did a fantastic job slowing him down a touch and getting into a funky old school groove. Kyle said Waylon-esk and I actually think that’s spot on. I feel that influence from SS certainly benefited the songs I had heard before. Again, not saying I’m right just one mans opinion. Cheers
Brent Hensley
March 30, 2019 @ 11:29 am
That’s why universal sound is the worst track on the whole album, it’s way over produced! Hearing him sing it live, it’s a pretty good tune though. The solo acoustic Red Barn radio videos on YouTube are the best and his song Nose on the Grindstone (which isn’t on any of his albums) is amazing!!!
jtrpdx
August 4, 2017 @ 8:51 am
Great album. Looking forward to seeing him in a few weeks. What the world needs is more jews’s harp!
jtrpdx
August 4, 2017 @ 8:57 am
*jew’s
Fuzzy TwoShirts
August 4, 2017 @ 8:58 am
agreed
Zackary Kephart
August 4, 2017 @ 8:57 am
You see, a lack of a thematic cohesion is what I originally thought of this album as well, but when you really look into the tracks, it all makes a lot more sense.
“I Swear To God” is sort of the introduction of it all, showing an antihero who well…likes to get fucked up even though he’s aware of the dangers that come with it. “Feathered Indians” is sort of the other introduction, showing that the narrator has a romantic side to him. Despite his flaws, he is full of love, he’s just also got his demons. It’s ironic that he talks about how he can always count on his lover when she leaves him by the next song, “Tattoos”. “Born Again” states that he’ll bounce back from the breakup, but as evidenced in “Whitehouse Road”, he sets back into his old ways very fast.
Who the hell knows why “Banded Clovis” is here or where it fits into the story, but it’s still awesome. The title track sort of shows the narrator trying to bounce back with a Catholic girl, but by this time even he’s too far gone. I mean, who the fuck actually believes that hooking up with somebody’s Catholic will guarantee you a shot in Purgatory or Heaven? It’s stupid and doesn’t make sense, but that’s sort of the point. “Honky Tonk Flame” is a cool and different perspective from his new lover who helps set the narrator straight and try to actually start over.
“Universal Sound” is the coolest moment for me because he finally finds peace in life, having his lover by his side sure, but also the power of music! Is it a little strange that he magically changes overnight? Yeah, kind of. I guess another track could have helped to explain that, but still, this whole story of fuckinig up and redemption ends in finding healing in the power of music. I don’t know, I thought it was cool. “Lady May” is sort of his other thank you to his lover who helped him on the road to recovery.
Dear God, did I just decode an album or send a PR email?
Keep on Chooglin
August 4, 2017 @ 9:20 am
Best thing I’ve listened to in a while. Looking forward to Boland and Turnpike releases this fall. Speaking of, Feathered Indians sounds like Evan Felker to me.
Wesley Gray
August 4, 2017 @ 9:21 am
Fantastic, damn good record. I was expecting great things and I got them. With The Dark Tower movie being such a disaster, at least something cool happened today! Good review, Trigger. 😎
Wheeler Walker Sr.
August 4, 2017 @ 9:28 am
Tyler Childers is a bad motherfucker! The opening lyrics reference boozing, weed smoking, and cocaine and it just goes deep as fuck from there. Highwayman, the first time I heard it blew my mind because what type of country music talks about reincarnation? Well Born Again takes that a step further. Did Tyler Childers just reference evolution, neanderthals, external consciousness, and the Big Bang theory in one fucking song? Wow!! This dude is awesome! I’m not sure why he didn’t include Nose on the Grindstone on this record but oh well! Great record! Right up the with Ohora for album of the year in my mind.
Ll28
August 4, 2017 @ 10:25 am
I’m a little biased because I’m from the area that Tyler grew up in, just across the river in middle-of-nowhere WV. I love many things about this album, but what I love most of all is the sense of place his music has. You can’t fake those hills and hollers. I haven’t lived in WV for years and years, and I just hear home when he sings. And that’s a beautiful thing.
I also hear a good bit of country church gospel influence in his voice. Those little churches don’t often have even a piano, and the church members singing aren’t always the best singers, but man, do they make you feel something. (And now that I typed out that last sentence, I realize that I feel the exact same way about Ben Nichols and his voice. This comment has really covered a lot of ground.)
Corncaster
August 4, 2017 @ 10:27 am
Great opening to this song. Baritone guitar? Hell yeah. Jew’s harp, you kidding me? This guy’s alright in my book. But best stop sniffing that cocaine, son. Death comes soon enough as it is.
jtrpdx
August 4, 2017 @ 11:51 am
I don’t think he does coke. Whitehouse road was written about a crazy dude from his hometown, from what I recall reading at some point.
Corncaster
August 4, 2017 @ 11:53 am
I know. I’m talking general to all you young fellas.
Bo Fiddley
August 4, 2017 @ 12:24 pm
I’m quittin’ after this weekend, I promise!
Stringbuzz
August 4, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
As Sarah Shook sings “I’m fixin to dry out tomorrow”
hoptowntiger94
August 4, 2017 @ 5:05 pm
Me, too!!
Tennessee Walking Powder
Bertox
August 4, 2017 @ 5:17 pm
Hell yeah, it’s a full-time occupation tryin’ to keep my business clean. I’m about to get straight, though…
Fuzzy TwoShirts
August 4, 2017 @ 7:58 pm
I swear I don’t take as much cocaine as it looks like. I dilute it with heroin. ahhahaahhaahahaha
Corncaster
August 5, 2017 @ 4:48 pm
while you’re at it quittin fuzzy will you stop that folderol in the bean patch, it’s scaring the hens so they won’t lay, dammit
Brandon
August 4, 2017 @ 10:30 am
There is only one complaint I have about this album, and that is that I can’t get a physical copy anywhere. I’ve looked on his website and it seems I can only buy a digital copy. Hoping he has some when he swings through MLPS in a couple of weeks.
Travis
August 4, 2017 @ 12:00 pm
I typically only buy physical copies so I also dislike when there are only downloads. He’ll be playing 20 minutes from my house tomorrow night. Unless my wife has anything planned, I’ll head out and see what he’s got. I haven’t heard more than a song or two from him yet and might hold off until after this show (if I go) and see what he’s like live first.
Corncaster
August 4, 2017 @ 12:19 pm
been listening to his videos and there’s a lot of great writing there. here’s a line I like:
“this shit is for soccer moms dying to be young again”
hahahahaha
I want the CD’s, somebody get this dude recorded stat
Biscuit
August 4, 2017 @ 7:37 pm
Brandon, vinyl is available on his website and Amazon, cds too.
Vin
August 4, 2017 @ 11:27 am
This is better than colter walls self titled album?
Trigger
August 4, 2017 @ 12:14 pm
Are you asking rhetorically? They both got the same grade, so…
Vin
August 4, 2017 @ 1:01 pm
I haven’t had a chance to this album but believe colter wall is second best I’ve heard this year behind “big bad love.” If it has same score in my mind should be phenomenal. Will know soon.
Cameron
August 4, 2017 @ 8:35 pm
This album is better than big bad luv imo
Hank
August 4, 2017 @ 11:36 am
For the record, Sturgill Simpson sucks; he doesn’t event belong in the same breath as Stapleton. He got a lucky Grammy nominee then an appearance on SNL, which was terrible, by the way. Never heard from him since. You know why? He doesn’t have a big enough fan base and he’s overrated. As far as I’m concerned he’s no different than sam hunt is to the country genre. The hypocrisy among you was is amazing
Brandon
August 4, 2017 @ 11:40 am
Hahahahahhaahha this guy
Bertox
August 4, 2017 @ 11:47 am
“He doesn’t have a big enough fan base.”
I call bullshit on that one, Wank…
Bo Fiddley
August 4, 2017 @ 12:26 pm
That’s the line that got me too. Good stuff.
jtrpdx
August 4, 2017 @ 11:56 am
Troll of the week!
Gina
August 4, 2017 @ 12:13 pm
I guess those sold out shows are fake news. Get a life, dude.
John Deaux
August 4, 2017 @ 12:25 pm
Dude, you are an idiot, crawl back where ever you came from.
Honky
August 4, 2017 @ 12:58 pm
I’m with Hank.
It never ceases to amuse me, that Trigger repeatedly tries to pretend that Simpson isn’t a Waylon wannabe, by dismissing those glaring observations as “shallow”, when half the dude’s fan base says they like him “because he sounds just like Waylon.”
This Childers kid is legit.
Stringbuzz
August 4, 2017 @ 1:50 pm
HAHAHA.
Honestly, I know you get the troll comment thrown at you, but even though I totally disagree with you, I love you man!!
At least your consistent.
jtrpdx
August 4, 2017 @ 2:59 pm
Right Honky. So now you are an expert on Sturgill’s fan base, huh? Why do you care if some people think he reminds them of Waylon? With multiple decades of country music in the history books, any new artist who comes out is going to sounds a little bit like someone. Not sure why you care.
Honky
August 4, 2017 @ 6:11 pm
He’s always just sounded like a cheap imitation to me. And anytime somebody brings it up, one of Simpson’s loyal prostate masseuses always asserts that that’s a shallow observation. Then, you can go to the comments section of another Simpson article, and it’s, “Man I love Sturgill. He sounds like Waylon.”
When he was singing Country, he was one of the most overrated Country singers of all time. For this reason, I’m actually glad that he’s a Rock singer now.
Justin S
August 4, 2017 @ 10:15 pm
Ive never seen more then two people comment like that, and his voice is fine the promise is the only song I hear any connection between the two
, but just my 2 cents. Also the way stew acts and writes is not even close to waylon
RD
August 5, 2017 @ 5:13 am
I like some of Sturgill’s music, and I disagree that there is nothing of value there. I can certainly do without some of his terrible rock music. But, my first impression when I heard Sunday Valley, was that he sounded like Waylon.
Jtrpdx
August 5, 2017 @ 4:10 pm
Sturgill hasn’t changed his vocal delivery honky. So not sure what you are smoking on the “rock singer” bs you have concocted in your head. Also, have fun listening to Sturgill’s wonderful and well-placed backing vocals throughout the Childers album. I bet your panties get twisted every time you hear them!
Trigger
August 4, 2017 @ 7:38 pm
Hey, as I said in the review, some of these songs are very Waylon-Esque, and it’s fair to say this plays right into the hands of folks that say Sturgill is secretly hiding a Waylong obsession. I think the explanation is much deeper than that, but I recognize the Waylon influence on this record.
gtrman86
August 4, 2017 @ 2:41 pm
Hank……Is this secretly Sam Hunt, or maybe Luke Aldean????
Wesley Gray
August 4, 2017 @ 3:06 pm
This guy deserves a medal for being this ridiculous. Yeah….Everyone on THIS site just HAAAAATES Sturgill Simpson. 😂
Mike2
August 5, 2017 @ 7:19 am
For what it’s worth, I think there’s some Waylon influence on High Top (which is not a bad thing), but that’s about as far as it goes. The next two records sound nothing like Waylon. Not even remotely.
Corncaster
August 5, 2017 @ 4:49 pm
his singin sounds like waylon, baritone diaphragm attitude
Bill Goodman
August 5, 2017 @ 7:36 am
The SNL appearance was the end of the touring cycle for his latest album. He had planned on taking about 12-18 months off after that, then he got nominated for a Grammy. He’s put on a few shows since including opening for Guns -n- Roses for 3 of their shows. He’ll be up and around touring full time again next month and we’ll see a new album out sometime in the near future as well. As far as his fan base, it’s fucking huge. If you think he sucks then fine, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. Don’t think he has no fans just because you don’t like him.
Gina
August 5, 2017 @ 11:30 am
Exactly. And who spends this much time talking about someone they claim to hate? Makes no sense. I honestly don’t care what two guys who are probably the same guy think.
Stringbuzz
August 4, 2017 @ 11:39 am
First of all, if this is the type of project Sturgill is going to get involved with, produce and promote, and lend his name to, I can do nothing but applaud him. Shows to me that he is standing by his principles, especially the rant about the Merle Haggard award, where focus should be on promoting and producing real country music. I think he did a stand up job with this.
Second, even though we have Sturgill’s involvement and name attached to this I don’t think can undervalue the involvement of David Ferguson in this. From Tyler’s comments I’ve read, Sturgill and him decided on a direction and Sturgill really orchestrated putting things together, but Ferguson probably is the real engineer behind the recording. My opinion. I think that lends true to ASGTE. I not sure what negatives people are finding in either of these productions, they sound fabulous to me.
On to the album..
This is what I want out of music..
I’m not sure I can be critical of it… I keep asking myself, what more would I f’in want out of an artist, songwriter, and an album?
The songs are fantastic, the writing is so solid, the delivery, the voice, the instrumentation is all lending itself to a really enjoyable album.
Obviously, if this isn’t your thing, it’s not your thing, but it is hard not to acknowledge the talent here.
I’ve listened to Tyler quite a bit before this came out, I am not going to complain that some songs don’t match previous arrangements. I don’t think in anyway does this detract from this album.
First chance I got to listen to the whole thing, I was 20 miles from the nearest paved road, flying down ATV trails, in Maine’s logging country. I got lost in this album, the music, the sound. It really is satisfying. The musicianship is fucking stellar…
Great Job Tyler.. You’ve arrived.
Corncaster
August 4, 2017 @ 11:51 am
this is some excellent songwriting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO6WzDz1mrQ
full command here
Gina
August 4, 2017 @ 12:55 pm
This guy is he real deal. What I love is that his voice is completely different than Chris or Sturgill’s so he’s completely unique and won’t be compared to them–or he might but he is completely another animal altogether. I also love the story behind “Purgatory.” There’s definitely something in the water in Kentucky these days.
Jon
August 4, 2017 @ 5:24 pm
That limestone must be good for something besides bourbon, eh?
matthew rutledge
August 4, 2017 @ 1:00 pm
Liked the review Trig, per usual! Only thing I disagree with is this cd sticking with you. First country album of the year that I can cycle through repeatedly, which Ive done so, and still find myself wanting to let it roll.
Stringbuzz
August 4, 2017 @ 1:28 pm
Totally agree.. Its one of those albums that just gets better and better with each listen.
John Deaux
August 4, 2017 @ 1:45 pm
I just listened to this album, it’s awesome in my opinion. It’s raw, real and is totally relatable to
ShadeGrown
August 4, 2017 @ 2:01 pm
This is great. I have been listening to him play many of these songs on youtube for the past couple months so he had a lot to live up to… For anyone who listens and doesn’t like it as well as what you are used to from him, give it time. I remember when William Elliott Whitmore’s first Southern Records releases came out I was so used to the versions he had been peddling while opening for Ten Grand and Murder By Death that it took months to appreciate the new. Way too early for me to say where this ranks on the year for me but I’m guessing it’ll be top 5 for sure. And I love the flow of the album…
Jacob W.
August 4, 2017 @ 2:44 pm
I disagree with the majority of the review, except maybe the part, “contain moments that duplicate or may even surpass the infectiousness and appeal of the moments on this new album”. Most of the songs are over produced, especially for Tyler Childers voice. It sounds like a blue grass orchestra in to background sometimes, and this guy really shines when it’s just him and his guitar. The title track is great and in this aspect it works. But white house road and little feathered Indian are ruined on this album. Universal sound is good because as you said it is obviously contemporary so the production fits.
I hear no Waylon whatsoever; in fact half time or playing to the words instead of the drums (this is what tyler always does),does not equal Waylon at all. This is a bluegrass album, and it is a good album, but the it is not magnum opus and is way below Tyler’s normal standards. The songs are good, subtract sturgill and it might have been great.
Nick
August 4, 2017 @ 8:10 pm
I was really hoping that this album would’ve followed the Colter Wall recipe of keeping the instrumentation light and sparse while letting the voice and the lyrics be the centerpiece. Tyler is an Appalachian poet and that’s where his talent lies. If I didn’t already know the words to all these songs, I wonder how much lyrical genius would be overlooked.
He’s also got about another album’s worth of material floating around out there. I wonder if we’ll get a quick follow up or if those songs will get lost.
Jacob W.
August 4, 2017 @ 2:44 pm
I disagree with the majority of the review, except maybe the part, “contain moments that duplicate or may even surpass the infectiousness and appeal of the moments on this new album”. Most of the songs are over produced, especially for Tyler Childers voice. It sounds like a blue grass orchestra in to background sometimes, and this guy really shines when it’s just him and his guitar. The title track is great and in this aspect it works. But white house road and little feathered Indian are ruined on this album. Universal sound is good because as you said it is obviously contemporary so the production fits.
I hear no Waylon whatsoever; in fact half time or playing to the words instead of the drums (this is what tyler always does),does not equal Waylon at all. This is a bluegrass album, and it is a good album, but the it is not magnum opus and is way below Tyler’s normal standards. The songs are good, subtract sturgill and it might have been great.
Trainwreck92
August 4, 2017 @ 2:46 pm
Someone up above said that one of these songs reminded them of Evan Felker, and I can totally see that. I’ve been listening to Tyler for a couple of years now but would have never made that connection until this album. With a full band behind him, Tyler brings to mind a less Texas/Oklahoma sounding Turnpike Troubadours with his excellent songwriting and infectious melodies. Also, I think he was a great solo acoustic artist, but adding some more instruments to the mix really brings his music to life, without distracting from the lyrics.
Sam Hunt Sucks Balls
August 4, 2017 @ 2:47 pm
I now know what my soundtrack for International Beer Day will start with!
Benny Lee
August 4, 2017 @ 2:56 pm
Man, the good stuff just keeps coming.
Everything about this is great. Time to spend more money!
Stringbuzz
August 4, 2017 @ 4:05 pm
He just expanded tour, got two tix on a friday nite for 12 bucks each
Money well spent that is a quality cheap nite out with wife
hoptowntiger94
August 4, 2017 @ 5:18 pm
I hope Tyler loves the album sonically because it’s a lot (better) different from what was recording. The songs On Bottles and Bibles sonically sounded like Jack Johnson, this sounds like something out of Kentucky!
So far I love it. I hope he does.
JW
August 4, 2017 @ 7:08 pm
Anyone else thinks his voice sounds like Josh Abbot on this recording?
I like it, though after a couple of listens through. Maybe more than Trigger.
Brett
August 4, 2017 @ 7:41 pm
The Commonwealth is kickin some serious butt right now. Im from southern ky and was fortunate enough to know of this guy early on. Hard to believe the things he wrote and sang of in his early 20s. Hes the real deal. I have no problem with the sturgil production choices, i thought it sounded great. Its got a good polished sound but still dark and dirty just like the hollers of eastern kentucky. I caught the Waylon vibe on a couple tracks but overall a much more sedated singer songwriter effort with a bluegrass flare. I feel the Brent Cobb comparison much more accurate with the style presented. That happened to be my favorite record last year and still grows on me, like im sure this one will.
Cameron
August 4, 2017 @ 7:50 pm
Man this record is GOOD. For me it gives Moreland a run for its money. I don’t know how you didn’t give this 2 guns up. I’ve listened to it three times today and it just gets better and better.
Big Cat
August 5, 2017 @ 5:41 am
Same reason he has to give Sturgill 8/10’s on everything….Sort of like Charlie in Top Gun, he can’t show everyone he’s completely fallen for him….;)
Mike2
August 6, 2017 @ 5:49 am
Metamodern got 2 guns up. So did in bloom.
Jack Williams
August 6, 2017 @ 6:12 am
Album of the Year, too. High Top Mountain got two guns up as well.
Isbell’s latest three have gotten 2 guns up here. Before that, Here We Rest got 1.5.
Big Cat
August 6, 2017 @ 7:22 am
It was a joke. He can’t write about Sturgill without folks bitching about too many , articles, kissing his ass, etc.
Frank the Tank
August 4, 2017 @ 10:09 pm
This is great!! I love it!!
There’s something really special about listening to an album from an unknown artist for the first time. I knew almost nothing about this guy (I only read the previous article about him from a couple months ago) and I hadn’t heard his music, so I had no idea what to expect, but I really like what I hear. I’ve only listened to it once, but I’m sure it will get better and better with time.
Wheeler Walker Sr.
August 4, 2017 @ 10:33 pm
I hadn’t really listened to Tyler Childers until this past week with the NPR first listen on repeat then over and over today. The first I’d heard of him was the SCM in like June of this year. I went balls deep into all his music and downloaded all of it (from a legal paid source) today and goddamn. Not only is Purgatory the most well written music of the year but the rest of his stuff is just as good. Deadman’ Curve, Nose On the Grindstone, and Charleston Girl are some of the best lyrics I’ve ever heard and that shut isn’t even on Purgatory. This dude is a genius and his writing is second to none. For me lately, it has gone #1 Sturgill #2 Cody Jinks. Tyler Childers is definitely in the conversation with those guys.
Big Cat
August 5, 2017 @ 5:36 am
Kyle – really good write up by the way.
“We are talking about half time bass shit, hard grooves, and twangy stuff that comes from bloodshot eyes and untucked shirts unbuttoned to mid chest.”
So well said….Love it.
Joe Doran
August 5, 2017 @ 9:50 am
Got this album based solely on the recommendations here, pretty much, and I’m so glad I did. It’s brilliant for the most part, I’m particularly enamoured with Whitehouse Road, Banded Clovis, Feathered Indians and Universal Sound (the delay reminds me of Joshua Tree era U2 trying their hand at country with a much better result then that appalling analogy would suggest. I love the guy’s voice and he’s one hell of a lyricist, for a young man. It’s depressing when you start noticing talented songwriters that are significantly younger than you!
A plea to all you lovely people who know Mr Childers’ work better than myself (this is my introduction to him): I’ve got enough cash left in my monthly music budget to buy either both Red Barn sessions or the Bottles and Bibles album – which would you guys suggest? I’m tempted to get ’em all, but I’m not sure if I’m willing to risk the missus’ wrath…
Stork
August 5, 2017 @ 10:05 pm
Bottles and bibles personally, but red barn is good. There are more songs on bnb though….. “Good Thing Windin Down” has to be one of the most touching and relatable songs I’ve heard in some time.
Joe Doran
August 7, 2017 @ 6:11 am
To Stork and ShadeGrown
Much obliged, guys. Sounds like I’ll be getting Bottles and Bibles then.
ShadeGrown
August 6, 2017 @ 6:32 am
Bottles and Bibles and OurVinyl Sessions
jimmy
August 5, 2017 @ 11:13 am
This record is so authentic, I listened to it one time, and now I have a case of black lung and 11 kids! #TrueStory
Corncaster
August 5, 2017 @ 4:57 pm
see in country if you got something real to say and your chops are up to the same level (and just beyond), you can make good music
but if you’re a fake and have minimal skills, you’re a samhunt or a ladyballerini
JB
August 5, 2017 @ 8:48 pm
I heard “Lady Mae” on the radio the other day (95.3 The Range, for anyone in the DFW area). That station plays all manner of underground country and Texas Red Dirt material, but about 75% of it is a wash for me. That song stuck out to me immediately. I recommended it to my sister (Kelly Hunt, banjo player in Kansas City; how many titles can I drop?) just after hearing it, even though I had no idea idea who this guy was. Thanks to this post, I’ve been listening to “Purgatory” on repeat for the past two days. Trig reviews and recommends a lot of talented artists, but occasionally one emerges as a seismic talent. I’d place Tyler Childers alongside the trilogy (Sturgill, Stapleton, Isbell). It’s a testament to his talent that I only noticed his engaging melodies in the first go-through, and didn’t catch the brilliance of his lyricism until my subsequent listens. He’s on par with Isbell in that regard. What an effortless wordsmith. He’s already high in my catalogue of country artists. Thanks for the heads-up!
Joe Doran
August 6, 2017 @ 4:14 am
Agree completely. I have that trinity at the top of what I have in my head as “the contemporary country music/Americana tree” (though Moreland might be getting up there too, and an argument could be made for the Turnpike Troubadors though they’re a group as opposed to a single artist – hey, I haven’t worked out the details yet!) and Tyler Childers is making a strong play for inclusion at those heady heights based solely on this album. I haven’t stopped listening to it for two days, it’s obscenely good and growing on me all the time.
I should probably caveat that by saying that we don’t get exposed to much country music on the radio or via other popular media sources over this side of the Atlantic, so I kinda go by what I read on a few blogs such as this one. I guess this means that my perception of contemporary country and what’s out there is biased somewhat (FakeNews!) but if it’s biased towards artists like young Mr Childers then I’m not going to quibble.
Matt
August 5, 2017 @ 9:16 pm
This kind of album is why I love country music. It may be imperfect at times, but it’s honest. That’s life; three chords and the truth.
Ulysses McCaskill
August 6, 2017 @ 1:35 am
I’ll admit that I only ever looked into this guy because Sturgill produced this record. Having said that, it took me approximately 15 seconds into the first song to realize this is one badass record. There isn’t a bad song on it. Keep on making music hoss!
Jtrpdx
August 6, 2017 @ 3:11 pm
Been listening to this a lot this weekend. Gets even better with time. I think some people are thinking way too far into the whole “this doesn’t sound like classic Childers, what the hell did he let Sturgill do” thing. An album is just that….one album, that captures a point in time / one recording project. It doesn’t necessarily mark a change in direction, especially when it is a special circumstance like we have here (getting two or three days of Sturgill’s and Ferguson’s time in the studio at such an early stage in one’s career). I almost wish the album was subtitled “what happens after two days of craziness locked in the studio with a mad scientist, Sturgill Simpson”. Again, I doubt that this album is going to mark a big change away from what childers has been doing. It was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up….one to work with two greats, and to create a once in a lifetime opportunity to get him instant wide exposure while at the same time putting an awesome twist on his already amazing songs….all in a very authentic and Kentucky way.
Big Cat
August 6, 2017 @ 7:28 pm
BTW I don’t think anyone’s mentioned Tyler’s wearing a flannel shirt and has a beard on album cover….
Big Cat
August 6, 2017 @ 7:29 pm
Not album cover, you get it
Tony Gunter
August 6, 2017 @ 7:58 pm
Listened to Purgatory four times now. I like it. I loved Bottles and Bibled, loved both Red Barn Radio live records, and especially his work on the Take Me Home record. I’m from central Ohio but have seen him live several times even took my oldest daughter three and a half hours just to see him.
My problem with Purgatory is the production. As I say I like it, don’t love it like the others. Reason being I really think people who don’t know Tyler Childers will listen to this record hearing him for the first time and come away clueless about how amazing his voice is. And it is truely amazing.
I also think they shouldn’t have remade Whitehouse Road. Between his previous live recording and the times I’ve seen him live, this is my least favorite. Maybe it’s just me…… But put that School Bus song ona record and we are in the deal!
Big Texas Mike
August 7, 2017 @ 5:17 pm
HEY Y’ALL SPEAKING OF TEMPERING FIRES OF OBSCURITY I JUST OFUND OUT I BECAME INCLUDED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SPOTIFY. HOWEVER I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FIND THE DATABASE WITH THE SONGS AND I DON’T THINK THYE RIPPED OFF MY MUSIC AS NONE OF IT’S MAINSTREAM BUT WHAT WOULD Y’ALL DO?
http://www.spotifypublishingsettlement.com/docs/LFN.pdf
TheKillerRocksOn
August 7, 2017 @ 6:28 pm
Hearing a ‘country’ release this good makes me wonder why this site spends time bitchin about the Sam Hunts of the world.. and why it didn’t get a 10 outta 10
Trigger
August 7, 2017 @ 7:25 pm
This site spends time bitching about the Sam Hunt’s of the world because it’s called Saving Country Music, and that means ALL of country music, including the radio, including the mainstream. That criticism is also what opens the eyes of many mainstream fans and makes them receptive to someone such as Tyler Childers. Folks search Google looking for why Sam Hunt is considered country, and next thing they know an entire world of new independent music is opened up to them. Just because you’ve been exposed to quality alternatives doesn’t mean everyone else has.
Music recommendations is just one part of what Saving Country Music attempts to do.
Ulysses McCaskill
August 8, 2017 @ 2:48 am
I found this site when I googled something along the lines of “what happened to country music”.
Trigger
August 8, 2017 @ 10:31 am
Yep, and I hear these stories all the time. I have a whole folder of emails like that. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but this is the mechanism that was baked into the Saving Country Music concept from the beginning and has been very effective. I appreciate that folks love to read my music suggestions and I always try to keep the focus more positive than negative. But without criticism or coverage of the mainstream, we’re preaching to the choir and never growing the flock.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
August 9, 2017 @ 7:13 am
that’s how I got here too. I was just trying to find a place that reinforced my opinions about music, and I found some of the old rants back 4 years ago.
I was hooked. then I started buying albums.
now most of the albums I buy are ones I read about on here.
Kyle
August 8, 2017 @ 4:19 pm
I would love to see a full album recorded with “The Highwall” band, live on red barn radio #1 was definitely my favorite sound from Childers
kapam
August 8, 2017 @ 5:38 pm
Thank You, Thank You Trigger!
Once again you have hit pay dirt.
Tyler Childers is everything I am looking for in the realms of real country music.
I’m filing Tyler in my favoured artists category (a purely imaginary concept – not a real file) alongside Luke Bell, Dalton Domino and the Turnpikes. Brilliant stuff!
Dragin
August 31, 2017 @ 9:32 pm
I had not heard of Tyler Childers until this album came out, but in my opinion, this is the best album I have heard in years!
Matt Fraidin
January 1, 2018 @ 6:43 pm
Two beautiful turns of phrase in this review:
“Purgatory is … country. It’s twangy, sweaty, live and loose.”
and
this isn’t an album that “sticks to your bones eternally.”
As to the latter, Trig, do you still feel that way?
Matt Fraidin
January 22, 2018 @ 7:37 pm
I’m going to answer my own question: “Feathered Indians” is one of the most perfect songs ever made.
Big T
August 12, 2018 @ 2:09 pm
I’ve been a musician for about 50 years. I’ve played and sang everything from southern gospel, old country, pop, you name it. I have played on countless stages in countless bars and honkey tonks, music festivals, too many to name. Done some studio work at Fame and a few other places. Just saying I have a pretty decent perspective. I have listened carefully and critically to this album at least ten times. I’ve done is stone-cold sober, after a couple of beers, while enjoying some Kentucky straight bourbon, and finally under the influence of locally made corn liquor and locally grown herb. I suggest the latter. This is my favorite work of the past ten years, overtaking Jason Isbell’s Southeastern. It is SO legit. Amazing writing. Lyrics that a lot of people won’t understand without the help of Google. The production is perfect for the context of the songs. This is, in my opinion, an instant modern classic.