Jeb Loy Nichols
Country Hustle
City Country City/Jullian Records
JebΒ LoyΒ Nichols has been around a while in the music business, the fact that he is not a household name is a shame, as he has produced, written and performed some of the most unique and entertaining music over the past 20 years.Β Also, according to his bio, he saw the original Sex Pistols in Texas during their first and only U.S. Tour.Β That puts him high up in my books.
This new album,Β Country Hustle, released on his City Country City record label.Β He has been down the major roads before, and one gets the sense that he belongs on an independent label.Β Basically, let him do what he does best, create incredible, unique music.Β ,
While listening to his new album, his first since 2012βsΒ TheΒ JebΒ LoyΒ Nichols Special,Β I kept trying to figure out the category in which to place him.Β Impossible.Β He fuses all types of music into one. Β The song. βKatie Blueβ is an excellent example of mid seventies sounds, mixed with 90βs beatsΒ with jazz backing.Β It may sound like it does not work, but it does.
Jebβs voice is another force to be reckoned.Β He can let loose and while being reserved at the same time.Β He also structures the album in such a way that everything links and builds up to the next song.Β For example, βTill The Teardrop Stopsβ, a wonderful ode to β70βs soul leads right into a cover of Luther Vandrossβs βNever Too Muchβ.Β Beautiful sequencing!
The album is an overall wonderful listening experience.Β Nicely produced, but not too slick.Β And the last two tracks are true highlights.Β The bluesy and laid back βRegretβ (no, not a New Order cover) blends into βLong Live The Loser Pt. One and Twoβ.Β βRegret seems to be his manifesto ‘people in the world I need to talk to, I need to confess, say I made a mess with all these regrets’, honest and yet with the Prince like music going on behind him, almost defiant.Β Β This rolls into the almost dub like βLong Live The Loser Pt One and Twoβ which ends with what amounts to a lo-fi stand and deliver.Β A brilliant ending to a truly original album.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JEB LOY NICHOLS – COUNTRY HUSTLE
Aaron Badgley