The Best Album I Missed from 2010

Justin Townes Earle-Harlem River Blues

There were a few great albums that slipped through the cracks last year as always happens, but the one I most regret missing out on was Justin Townes Earle's Harlem River Blues.  Perhaps it was recent trip to Nashville, or my country roots from Indiana, but rockabilly and Americana sounds have really been doing it for me lately.  I've always been into alt-country from Wilco and early My Morning Jacket back to Uncle Tupelo, early Blitzen Trapper, and ultimately, back to Neil Young and Johnny Cash (keeping country cool since it was cool).  At 28, Justin Townes Earle, a REAL country musician, has endured three lifetimes worth of triumph, tragedy, addiction, and brilliance. The son of Steve Earle with a well documented drug history, Earle's legend precedes him.  He had a drunken fight incident in Indy with the owner (aptly named, Tufty) of Radio Radio (he is currently banned, an honor Think Tank and my good buddy Ryan Millbern share with him, albeit for much different reasons).  Earle seems to be on the up and up since exiting rehab however, again touring and even appearing on Letterman (no fights there, you're welcome Paul Shaffer).

Earle's latest effort, Harlem River Blues, is a mature album that reveals the depth he has picked up from his trials and triumphs.  The opening title track channels Johnny Cash as his rockabilly best, a foot stampin', head bobbing number, where Earle's baritone and twang meld perfectly.  Here's JTE (also named one of GQ's best dressed men...ladies?) live on Letterman performing "Harlem River Blues:"

Justin Townes Earle-Harlem River Blues



The finger-plucked "One More Night in Brooklyn" follows with a flamenco edge and arrhythmic jitters in the background that sound like a train trying to leave the station but just can't get the wheels rolling. The rockabilly continues with "Move Over Mama," which is as much Jerry Lee Lewis as it is Dwight Yoakam. Here Earle flirts with dirtier themes, only to reveal a simplistic innocence describing coming home to a woman in bed with her legs open wide. This could go a variety of directions (let's not get carried away), but the chorus reveals "Move on over, Mama I'm comin' home, woman you've been sleeping in the middle of the bed too long."

Justin Townes Earle-Move Over Mama


From here things slow down a bit, as Earle's most mature songs to date take the helm, revealing subtleties in his song craft that few others possess. "Wanderin'" may as well have been written by his hero, Woody Guthrie, a perfect tale of a ragamuffin wanderer with a need to keep moving, moving from the past, moving from the present. "Slippin' and Slidin'" follows with a boozy woozy sound that reflects Earle's battles with various substances. New Orleans horns drool all over this underwater plunder as Earle's lyrics tell the tale of another relapse.

"Christchurch Woman" fis a straightforward take on a character battling with his deficiencies searching for a woman of the church to come lift him out of it. This is one of the most poignant songs Earle has written to date, almost a confessional, coming to terms with his deficiencies and his desires. The band sounds great on this take, as the horns put a layer of Calexico over Wilco sound (Calexilco?). "Ain't Waitin'" is another boot scooting number, getting back to the rockabilly sound that opened the album.

The album's penultimate track, "Rogers Park," is another brilliant piece of songwriting. Chicago residents will recognize this description of the Northside neighborhood, which Earle confirmed at a recent Metro show, used to be his home. Starting with a slowed down Bruce Hornsby sound, and building in tempo and reflection toward a "Walking in Memphis" sound, this track slowly builds.  It paints a vivid picture of a long, stark Chicago winter, and the isolation one feels when trapped in its seemingly never-ending depth.

Justin Townes Earle-Rogers Park


A gospel hymnal reprise of the title track closes the album with a sing-a-long of the album's catchiest tune.  Overall, this is an incredible album, and I'm sorry that I missed it in the year it came out, but am elated that it came to me when it did.  While the slower numbers may not do much for a lot of runners, the poignancy of Earle's lyrics somehow kept me engaged from top to bottom on a number of runs.  Even when the music slows down, he has you hanging on every word, and while lyrics come in and out of consciousness on a run, his simplicity and earnestness draw you in.  If the slower ones aren't working, the more upbeat "Harlem River Blues," "Move Over Mama," and "Ain't Waitin'" would be good tunes to slide into the middle of a mix to keep you plodding along.

Go here for a complete list of my top albums from last year. Are there more albums I missed? Tell me about them!