Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Reunions (May 15, 2020) Album • Page 7

No idea why my text didn't go through. So jealous. Any first thoughts?

 

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, I think it's another masterpiece. I definitely need more time to take in all the lyrics, which are always the big selling point of any Isbell record for me, but I definitely caught a few "holy fuck" lines in "River," "It Gets Easier," and especially "Letting You Go." I'd also say it's the best-sounding of the Dave Cobb Isbell albums, and maybe Cobb's best production job ever (and I've heard almost every record he's ever produced). And there's some absolutely premium lead guitar work on this record, more than any of Isbell's solo LPs so far. He's really using solos as the emotional zeniths of a lot of these songs.

i've also come all the way around on "Be Afraid," which I didn't love at first, but which has really grown on me a ton. "What've I Done to Help" is pretty handily my least favorite on the record, but I think it offers a nice kind of prelude to everything else here. At the moment, I still think "Only Children" is probably the best song on the album. Always a tad disappointing when the highlight is a pre-release track, but that song is legitimately flawless, so I'm not too mad. "Overseas" is right up there.

 

Oh man, you're killing me. So glad to hear it's great! Now I'm eagerly awaiting my shipment.

 

I never should have doubted him.

 

Kind of like I said in the Butch thread, I kind of need some stability. Thankful for Isbell. I was just telling my girlfriend how it's nice to have something to look forward to.

 

After my supreme disappointment in the Butch album, i need this to be fantastic.

 

The Isbell record is a lot more comforting right now than the Butch album. The Nashville Sound was Jason's "Trump album." This is more personal and reflective.

 

I feel like it worked though because Jason was talking about the people. He had the realism, while it kind of feels like Butch was taking some of his experiences (a few of those stories were from Drinking with Strangers) and turning it up to 11. Like Butch was writing about the movement and Jason was writing about the people? I don't know how to explain it, other than by saying that Jason had some authenticity, while it was almost like Butch was doing a book report/thought experiment. Butch was playing the role while Jason was telling their stories.

 

Oh, I love The Nashville Sound, don't get me wrong. I just find this album's more introspective journey more interesting right now.

And totally agreed, re: Butch. I actually brought up The Nashville Sound in my (still not finished) review of American Love Story. I think the big difference is that Isbell had empathy for the people he was writing about, whereas Butch clearly has a lot of venom for the guy he's writing about--at least for the first album of the album.

 

It kind of felt like Mr. Robot or House of Cards to me? I can admire how artistic it is, I can appreciate it as an art form... but I really don't want to spend time in that headspace.

What've I Done to Help really threw me off the first time I heard it. I think it could have done with being a minute or two shorter, but I've only listened once. I'm glad to hear that it's the low point (if that's right to call it) of the record.

 

Yeah, it's just a tough hang. "Pretty Crazy" will go on my summer playlist. A few other songs I'll go back to. Otherwise, it'll be a pretty infrequent listen to me. Definitely the first time that I haven't really had an interest in owning a Butch record on vinyl.

"What've I Done to Help" is a great showcase of the band, but definitely not a top-tier song from Isbell, writing-wise. It's the only thing on here that I don't love, though like I said, it's grown on me.

 

Dreamsicle - Only Children - Overseas is an incredible 2, 3, 4 in this lineup. This album is really good. And Craig, as you said, it sounds amazing.

 

Got my vinyl yesterday and man this album’s awesome. I was especially taken by “River” and “It Gets Easier”. I also love the preponderance of guitar jamming, which feels like a natural extension of “Anxiety” throughout the album rather than contained to one (over-long imo) song.

 

I didn’t bother with the last two singles after being completely underwhelmed or outright disliking the first two tracks he released. Just watched the Trevor performance and that one left me sobbing. Back on board after that/yalls reactions

 

That hydrocodone line hits me with surgical precision

 

How has this not leaked what the hell haha

 

Status update: my CD has arrived, but the computer containing the only CD drive in my house is not turning on. The chase continues. :)

 

Gah, what a bummer

 

You know it!

 

Mail came with no Reunions, sad day

 

Got a shipping notification, not coming until Thursday

 

I am impressed that this hasn't leaked yet. I'm not gonna lie though, I would have downloaded it and listened to it already if I had the chance. I got an email the other day saying my CD shipped out, but when I check the tracking it says that only a shipping label has been created at this point.

 

Was in the same boat until this evening when it said it was in Pittsburgh and would get here Thursday. Why a CD has to go through Pittsburgh to get from Kansas to Missouri is beyond me but here we are

Still haven't ruled out driving a bit to get one from a shop that does curbside pickup and has it in stock

 

No record stores near me open for curbside pickup

 

Well this one isn't super near haha, it's like 90 min but I have minimal responsibilities next wk

Theres one like 20 min from me that does curbside but I wasn't quick enough bc I thought I'd get my copy mailed sooner and now they're sold out