In 2016, a brave man did what many others couldn’t: release an inventive and modern country album. Here are some of my unedited thoughts about it.
Welcome to Earth (Pollywog) – This introductory song effectively sets up the main concept of this concept album. Simpson is a sailor, leaving behind a wife and son for his duty at sea. Simpson himself was in the navy, stationed in Japan, long before his country career. This song and concept could have been corny, it could have been outdated, but instead, Simpson sounds alive and bright. The instrumental section alone is ready to play. The brass section and trumpets in particular should get a shoutout for carrying the last two minutes of this beautiful track.
Breakers Roar- After the jumpstart that was Welcome to Earth, Breakers Roar is necessarily grounding in its simplicity and honesty. The strings are on full display in this song, as well as Simpson’s lyricism. Together, they pair for a meaningful message to Simpson’s son. I am beginning to realize that writing about this album is quite difficult. It’s hard to explain the feelings evoked by a simple violin and an artist with something to say.
Keep It Between the Lines– THE SAXOPHONES ARE HERE!!!!!!! When did country music get so jazzy? I am not complaining. Not at all. In this song, Simpson tells his kid, quite literally, to keep between the lines. Stay in school. Don’t do drugs. And all the other stuff a caring, but maybe distant, parent may say. This song feels like an entire parenting session in less than four minutes, even making sure that his son knows not to let people upsell him. I would have loved to do this song on Guitar Hero (which I am very good at). This is like a Bruce Springsteen song but with good morals.
Sea Stories– This is a country song on a country album sung and written by a country singer. Not my favorite so far, but definitely the most familiar sounding. Up until this point, the album had been incredibly experimental but this is something that would fit right in on the country radio of the 90s or 80s. Not bad, but definitely jarring. It tells the story of a man getting booted from the Navy, and returning home with a drug problem. However, the man prefers the addiction to dying in a war made by politicians. Deep stuff.
In Bloom– In the long history of country singers covering depressing rock music (see Johnny Cash singing Hurt by Nine Inch Nails), we get Simpson’s cover of the Nirvana classic. This version takes out the raw anger and angst of the original, opting for a more controlled, slower atmosphere. In the context of the album, where Simpson oscillates between loving the sea and missing his family, it fits very well. However, I miss Kurt Cobain.
Brace for Impact (Live a Little)– I was not prepared for how much I would love this song. It’s a very grungy classic rock-esque song that seemingly refuses to stick to a genre, a feeling, or an instrumental line. I love it so much. There is a synth line in the second verse. The end of this song feels like you are falling into a vortex.
All Around You – This is the song that makes me want to learn how to waltz. I’m not even sure if this song is a waltz song, but it is just so classy and beautiful in its declaration of love. Ed Sheeran wishes he could write something as honest as this. This track is what convinced me to review this album because it truly shows the modern country feel that Simpson is trying to create. In another timeline, this could be what country music sounds like. Instead of bro-country, instead of boyfriend country, we could have had soul country. Truly we live in the darkest timeline.
Oh Sarah– So this album does have one weak link. Unfortunately, when Simpson dedicates a song officially to his wife, it does not come across as grand and expansive as the rest of the album. This song is almost claustrophobically small, especially in comparison to the rest of the album. But maybe that is what Simpson was going for?
Call To Arms- You thought this album would end on a sad note? How foolish you must look. This is a classic bluesy, grassy, Americana-type song about manhood. All it is missing is a harmonica. It’s a brilliant anti-war song to round out a brilliant anti-war album. Simpson sings about losing his identity in the military, to die for some war. He wishes his son a better fate than his- a life free of war and free of drugs. All of this, of course, is set to some of the best piano, saxophone, and bass interplay I have ever heard. This song is explosive.
Overall Impressions- I really love this album- which means a lot from a self-admitted non-country fan. Simpson is really pushing forward a genre that often stubbornly refuses to modernize and adapt to a changing world. Give it a chance and I promise you will be surprised. I certainly was.
