Justin Townes Earle | Single Mothers / Absent Fathers

You know what’s great about being hung over? No, not “nothing”. Getting to listen to some great mellow music. As much as we all love Icelandic Death Metal, sometimes you need something a little less aggressive to start your day. That’s where Justin Townes Earle comes in. Now some people have criticized his particular brand of alt-country as a little too life lifeless but I would contend that they need to take it slow and drink this music in. If I’m not going be grouchy with a hangover, these critics need to calm the hell down. Or stop drinking so damn much if they just have a worse hangover than me.

This time around Townes Earle delivered a delayed release double album with both discs recorded at the same time but Single Mothers released in September 2014 and Absent Fathers released in just last month. They are companion albums both lyrically and musically as you can infer from the titles. I hope. While the music hits you gently the deeply personal content is not soft as JTE (don’t call him that) again tackles the damage done by his absent father, country legend Steve Earle. His dad has made great music and terrible life choices like many musicians; he got married 7 f’n times! Isn’t once enough? Townes Earle has delved into this topic before on his previous albums and while part of me wants to say “I get it already, your dad sucks!” the other part of me knows I have no right to judge him as I’ve had both my parents around my whole life to annoy the crap out of me.

Single Mothers and Absent Fathers are slow moving, beautiful, heartfelt albums. I know that I wouldn’t put them on when getting ready to go out; assuming I’m not so old that going out doesn’t just mean moving from the bed to the couch. While I don’t think they are as good as Harlem River Blues or it’s follow up Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, they shouldn’t be overlooked. While the majority of the tracks are slow, songs like “Burning Pictures” or “Round the Bend” will give you a little pep in your step. Holy crap. I am too old to go out. But you. You’re different. You ARE going out drinking. And if you’re looking for a way to ease into your workday, or if you’re more responsible than me, when making breakfast on Sunday morning, let these albums be your musical hang over cure.

The Drink: Whatever your favorite hair of the dog drink choice is. Me? I prefer Tequila Sunrises.

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Bake

I'm nothing. Maybe less than nothing. I also write.

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