I’ve always liked Hayes Carll, however now, with his sixth album, I believe I’m starting to like him.
Produced by the biggest songwriter of the past five years, Jason Isbell, as well as supported by Isbell’s band, the 400 Unit, Carll’s “What It Is” uses sardonic alt-country that moves with all the styles of the genre. The purposeful irony of the days-gone-by tune “Times like These” being the most standard tune on the record is as tasty as the woke ballad “Fragile Men,” which has a distinctly contemporary feel.
Every tune on the album is amazing. “Things You Don’t Wanna Know” is a personal favorite, imploring his sweetheart to stop asking about his drinking, etc., since she’s not going to do anything about it anyway. The line “some guy provide their damndest when half a damn will do” from “If I may Be So Bold” is just one of lots of excellent one-liners on the album.
What It Is feels smart as well as properly cynical, however likewise really funny (“Wild pointy Finger”) as well as touching–I never believed a tune called “Jesus as well as Elvis” would make me feel something. Isbell’s influence is around the honesty of this album, as well as most likely is what pushes it from great to great.
Highly recommended.
What It Is by Hayes Carll