SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: LOGAN HALSTEAD – DARK BLACK COAL

Logan Halstead
Dark Black Coal
Thirty Tigers

It is very hard to believe that Logan Halstead is 19 years old and that Dark Black Coal is his debut album. This artist and album shows such a great deal of depth, history, and connection to days gone by that it is easy to forget that he is so young and new to the music scene. The truth is, he has been writing and recording for over four years, since he was 15, in fact title track “Dark Black Coal” was his debut single four years ago. The fact that he is young and new to the scene makes Dark Black Coal an even bigger accomplishment.

The real story here is the actual music he makes. Halstead has come up with 11 incredible songs that tell gripping, powerful stories, all set to the musical accompaniment of just an acoustic guitar. The occasional fiddle by famed producer Lawrence Rothman and mandolin by Ethan Ballinger also add quite a bit, but the production remains sparse and the focus is not on arrangement but the song itself

Lyrically, he is a storyteller, telling tales about America’s Appalachian region, which is where he is from. He does not flinch or give a pass to an area that he seems to love so well. In some ways he evokes the spirit of Hank Williams with his lyrics and observations. He sings with real emotion and conviction, which makes the songs more meaningful.

And that is the beauty of this album. Halstead is playing and singing from deep within himself. He is not afraid to express the experiences and things he has seen over the course of his very young life, but he is also able to tap into the stories of others. He is an old soul.

There are a lot of amazing musicians who are creating music in the Appalachians. Halstead is in good company and there are great things ahead for this young man. Dark Black Coal is an impressive debut. One can feel the forests of the Appalachian mountains as he sings, and the listener is certainly transplanted to another place and as the album plays.

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