Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit's Upcoming Here We Rest
Posted: Jan 21, 2011Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit’s Here We Rest
The official release date is not until April, but yesterday I received my press copy of Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit’s upcoming new disc, Here We Rest. I’ve spent the last day listening to these 11 new songs.
The album title comes from Alabama’s original state motto written by Alexander Beaufort Meeks in 1842. The mostly acoustic-country songs revolve around these rude modern economic times in Isbell’s native northern Alabama.
Isbell recently spoke about these new songs: “The mood here has darkened considerably. There is a real culture around Muscle Shoals, Florence and Sheffield of family, of people taking care of their own. When people lose their ability to do that, their sense of self dissolves. It has a devastating effect on personal relationships, and mine were not immune.
“When you come from Alabama, that country soul music is in the water. I’ve always loved it and been proud of it, but there’s always been this sense of proving that you were capable of more than just that. If I was going to create an album that gave listeners a sense of the place, I felt it was important to let the songs go there if they wanted to…”
Here West Rest counts as a classic. It’s low key, and resonates a melancholy soul that is worth waiting until April to hear. This humble scribe's favorites count as “Alabama Pines”, “Go It Alone”, Codeine”, "Daisy Mae", "Heart On A String" and "Tour of Duty". Stay tuned,
James Calemine
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