Album Review – Kelsey Waldon’s “No Regular Dog”
A strong want to perform music for a living is not enough of a requisite to be able to create something that is worthy of an audience, especially when it comes to country music, or at least, country music that is worth listening to. It is the severity of life and the pain that comes from it where the lush expressions of the most compelling and robust songs emanate from. This is the indefinable “soul” some love to reference. And though here in 2022 it almost feels cliché to say it, there is a reason why Kentucky continues to breed the most potent songs and songwriters in this business.
Western Kentucky-native Kelsey Waldon has been positioned right at the top of renown Kentucky songwriters for a solid eight years now, at least in the regards of critics and peers, even if she hasn’t enjoyed the wide popularity of fellow Bluegrass State alum such as Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, and Sturgill Simpson. But wide popularity wasn’t Waldon’s primary concern when starting out. As a girl from Western Kentucky, she had something to prove, and simply surviving is a level of success.
In 2016 when Waldon released her second album I’ve Got A Way, she laid it all out right there in the passages of her songs. Her commitment to true country music was strong. After all, her accent was immune to camouflage, and preordained it. But she didn’t want to be just another hokey revivalist, leaning on iconography and outmoded language for appeal. She wouldn’t compromise for anyone either. She wouldn’t be lured by the temptations of labels or managers to augment her sound or approach. She wouldn’t be deterred despite the challenges facing women in the business. She would rather fail her way than succeed someone else’s.
Here she is six years later and now signed to John Prine’s Oh Boy record label, and Kelsey Waldon is still declaring herself No Regular Dog. Time has passed, and quite a few more people know her name, but the challenges of the music business still present themselves, she still has to claw and scratch for everything she gets, and she’s not immune to self-doubt. “A prisoner of my mental cages, my own worst enemy, a product of the gamblin’ with the cards that’s dealt, a survivor of my dreams…” she sings in the album’s opening title track, and later in the song, “Daddy loved his work, I guess I do too.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for a love of making music. Then in the song “Tall and Mighty,” Waldon sings, “Trying to live up to some honky tonk dream, wondering if three chords and the truth still mean the same to me.” It’s this type of brutal honesty, followed by a conviction to see her plan through—and to do it her way—that set the foundation for this album. Would she rather be at home tending a garden? Does she question if making country music is a fruitful living for her and the rest of the world? Probably so.
But the rest of No Regular Dog is dedicated to illustrating why country music is such a better alternative to what those from rural Kentucky may face, whether it’s addiction to methamphetamine, a life of hard labor just to survive, or a servile existence instigated by an early pregnancy. No different than those from the intercity who may lean on hip-hop, country music is a way out of the life rhythms that ensnare so many in rural areas, and no matter what challenges a touring musician may face, they’re nothing to compared to the alternative.
Presenting the alternative is where this album runs your insides through a meat grinder, telling the story of a “Sweet Little Girl” who is sent into the arms of inebriation to tackle the hollow feeling inside where hope once dwelled, or the brother who goes down the wrong path in “History Repeats Itself,” and is now resigned to being a wanted man. Or as Waldon explains in “Tall and Mighty,”
Most of my friends are on methamphetamines
Trying to raise babies in this cold world
Wondering what could have been
Yeah they’re puttin’ in the hours on a river barge
Pushing some freight past a gravel bar…
These are the problems that make the long hauls on the road between gigs, or the anxieties of how many people will be there when you arrive at the venue seem trivial, if not privileged. Still, it’s no life of leisure, and Kelsey Waldon doesn’t make it easy on herself by remaining steadfast to her principles, and not taking the shortcuts. If she’s going to make music, it must have meaning. She doesn’t make it easy for the audience either, serving up heady songs with dense plots that require you to listen intently. Her brand of country is definitely country, but it doesn’t come with any obvious lyrical hooks or catchy riffs to get a honky tonk swaying. It’s not that kind of country.
Perhaps even more reason to enlist the services of Shooter Jennings as producer on this album, to really sink his teeth into selling the natural appeal of Kelsey Waldon’s music, and imbue it with a level of infectiousness otherwise lacking on her previous records. Listeners are still tasked with intently delving into what Waldon is trying to convey, with a greater reward if they do. But Jennings successfully creates a “sound” for Kelsey Waldon that envelops her expressions in more inviting movements, while also respecting that her music must stay inherently Kentucky.
Songs like “Tall and Mighty,” “You Can’t Ever Tell,” and “Backwater Blues” are very country in their sound, while a few other tracks like “Sweet Little Girl” and “History Repeats Itself” come with that bass heavy Outlaw feel. As the album progresses, the songs turn more intimate, with “Season’s Ending” being about the death of a loved one, “Simple As Love” showing a more vulnerable side, and “Progress Again” once again speaking to how hard Kelsey is on herself, constantly assessing and reassessing her worth, resolve, failings, and accomplishments.
The music of Kelsey Waldon will never sell out arenas. It’s too resolute for that. Perhaps that’s an injustice, or a bitter pill to swallow. But the value is still significant, and the commitment she has made to her approach is a valiant one. Assuming an intelligent and intent audience, her mission and goal is more noble, and erudite. It’s to prove that you can do things your way. And even if you don’t succeed to the level of some others, sometimes it’s simply an accomplishment to endure. Because when you’re from rural Kentucky, many of the alternatives are much more dire. Just listen to No Regular Dog, and you will agree.
8/10
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Hank Charles
August 15, 2022 @ 10:14 am
Man, that tone. Every song just sounds dipped in honey. Combined with her delivery, it’s such a great listening experience. “Sweet Little Girl”, “Tall and Mighty”, and “Backwater Blues” were standouts to me. Though “Seasons Ending” and “Peace Alone” were great tracks too. The timing of “Backwater Blues” hits a little harder given the current state of East Kentucky.
Shooter has had a heck of a run this year. Doing this and an 80s pop rock record with Yelawolf is quite the spread.
Will say, I can’t help but hear a lot of Chris Knight’s “Nothing on Me” in “Tall and Mighty”. That might just be me though.
Trigger
August 15, 2022 @ 4:23 pm
Well-produced album for sure.
63Guild
August 15, 2022 @ 10:42 am
Probably my favorite album Kelsey has done and it hits home a little harder given the current nature of home. Like Hank said though, Shooter has had a hell of year and don’t think we’ve seen a producer groove like this since Cobb around 10 years ago.
Stringbuzz
August 15, 2022 @ 11:14 am
First off. I am a KW fan. I’ve seen her live several times. Had the pleasure of meeting her and her band one time at a very small intimate club they played at. She is really sweet as pie.
This is a great album.
Her songwriting is excellent.
I think her voice (like sarah shook, margot price, etc) may turn some people off.
Personally, I embrace it and enjoy it.
Stefanie Joyce
August 15, 2022 @ 2:36 pm
“The music of Kelsey Waldon will never sell out arenas. It’s too resolute for that. Perhaps that’s an injustice, or a bitter pill to swallow.” I also think this means she’s doing something right; she’s making art. I am so grateful to see a songwriter who doesn’t dumb down her writing for the lowest common denominator. Great review.
Cosmic Cowboy
August 15, 2022 @ 11:06 pm
I so agree – arenas are an abomination to country music and part of, why most of today’s country sucks. F**k Garth and everybody after him that thinks swinging like a monkey on stage is part of a country concert!
The Last of the Hardcore Troubadours
August 16, 2022 @ 7:10 am
Not familiar with her work, but I might have to check her out.
Steve Earle is a Guitar God
August 15, 2022 @ 3:01 pm
Love it. Thanks for the review.
Anyone know who’s playing fiddle and steel guitar? None of my go to sources list credits and I can’t find it doing a general internet search including 3 reviews I read.
Trigger
August 15, 2022 @ 4:26 pm
I don’t know exactly. Hopefully someone will pipe up. I got the lyrics, but no credits. Not sure any reviewers did. Normally I would say it’s “Smokin'” Brett Resnick on steel guitar since he’s been with Kelsey for years when he’s not playing for Kacey Musgraves. But since this was recorded in LA, Shooter might have used one of his own people.
Trigger
August 19, 2022 @ 5:13 pm
Brett Resnick on steel guitar, confirmed.
WineMeUp
August 16, 2022 @ 2:55 am
Brett Resnick
Jerry Clower's Ghost
August 15, 2022 @ 4:29 pm
I disagree that she didnt have her sound established before this one, but Shooter definitely has assisted her in developing it to the next level. As much as it pains me to admit it, Shooter did a great job with this album. Kelsey is the reigning queen of indie country in my opinion.
Mike
August 15, 2022 @ 11:13 pm
Why does it pain you to admit it? As these comments suggest, Shooter has developed into an excellent producer.
Steve Earl is a Guitar God
August 15, 2022 @ 5:02 pm
My exact thoughts about Shooter going with someone he’s worked with a lot.
Corncaster
August 15, 2022 @ 5:09 pm
Agreed those tracks sure sound good. I wish Dolly and Emmylou would spend a long weekend with her.
Bill Goodman
August 15, 2022 @ 5:59 pm
Her best yet.
Mars3
August 15, 2022 @ 6:20 pm
Great review, thanks Trigger! I hadn’t really listened to KW before now, but I heard her guest appearance on Sirius’s Buddy & Jim show this past weekend, and wow – it was revelatory. Her original material was fantastic, and the fact that her selection of favorite songs included Tanya Tucker’s “Blood Red and Goin’ Down”, Townes Van Zandt’s “Rex’s Blues” and Merle Haggard’s “The Way I Am” as favorite songs just sealed it.
Scott S.
August 16, 2022 @ 9:06 am
Don’t want to overblow this, but I think Kelsey is considered one of the top female artists in Americana. Most of the other females in Americana have been putting out music that is more alternative rock than country lately , including the last few singles by Kelsey herself, so I was kind of expecting more of the same from this album. It was a welcome surprise to get this album and find a more traditional country direction, while at the same time sounding modern and relevant. I think this is a great album, probably her best yet.
Congrats to Kelsey for bucking the current trends and showing you can still make a great country album. I hope this album is a huge success for her and leads to others following her example. Nice production by Shooter as well.
The Tallman
August 16, 2022 @ 11:16 am
Caught the tale end of her opening set for John Prine just before the shutdown and Johns passing.
With my ten year old daughter we approached her at her merch table and she was very appreciative of our comments and we bought her shirt-she should know that the kind of “real” country music she’s writing and performing has had an impact on my young daughter and we wish her all the success she has created-sitting in the back row of the Bob Carr auditorium where everyone from Elvis to Stevie Ray has performed and hearing my daughter sing along softly to Angel from Montgomery with John-priceless memory as a parent trying his best to implant a strong music foundations
Cosmic Cowboy
August 16, 2022 @ 1:51 pm
I did not write the submission posted here today! This is the real Cosmic Cowboy right here!
Euro South
August 18, 2022 @ 2:06 pm
Cosmos is big, there might be two Cosmic Cowboys.
Ancient Cowgirl
August 16, 2022 @ 2:10 pm
I’m here for the battle of the Cosmic Cowboys.
John Prine knew what he was doing when he signed both Kelsey and Arlo McKinley.
growlerhill
August 16, 2022 @ 7:13 pm
I saw her last year at a festival. A fun show. But, what I mostly remember is her charming KY accent.
MD
August 18, 2022 @ 11:44 pm
Listened to this album based on this review, and it was a damn good listen for sure!