Isbell writes and sings with a tactic that boasts an incredible relatability and modestness. His songs simply put: feel extraordinarily human. His words are able to encompass the very basis of all emotions and just make you feel something. It is a beautiful thing.
Where Southeastern was heavy, heavy in grief and soaked in dark emotion for the most part, ‘Something More Than Free’ feels lighter with its arrangements while maintaining the depth in songwriting that the songwriter has become known for. The palette he paints his stories with simply contains a few more pastels than deep blues, violets and dark grays this time around. There are still a few dwelling on the past moments here, so don’t worry if thats your thing, but this is a man who has come to grips with his demons and is looking forward at life and man, he can still pen a song like no other about it.
The first track ‘If it Takes a Lifetime’ has a light and jovial picked acoustic to kick it all off. The message her is not one of loss and regret, but hope and persistence. Isbell’s occasionally gruff and weathered voice still shines here like the sun through the clouds after a southern thunder has steeped the clay ground. He sings with such conviction and a subtle beauty, it’s just something incredibly special that adds a great deal to his stories.
I’m learning how to be alone / fall asleep with the TV on
And I fight the urge to live inside my telephone
‘24 Frames’ was the first single off of the album. Which is an introspective, look in the mirror, the simple poetic nature of observation that the writer is so great at. There is a certain urgency to the song as Isbell sings through the chorus storyline. A full band arrangement, with harmonies that feel more indie-rock than East Nashville roots-country, a throwback of sorts to Isbell’s upbringing and the extensive listening in long van rides while touring with Drive-By Truckers.
(photo credit David McClister)
The title track starts soft with just Isbell and a guitar, slowly building and weaving a tale of coming home from a long day or time on the road, being road weary but lucky to be here in any capacity. Further showing the writer’s adapting to years of sobriety and living a life that is good as a lucky man.
I suppose ‘Palmetto Rose’ could be the ‘Super 8’ of ‘Free’, kicking in with an infectious guitar melody, grooving bass, and a bluesy rock n’ roll vibe. This is a nice transition from some of the acoustic guitar driven lead up tunes. There is just something that makes you move here, even if the general tempo isn’t particularly fast and dangerous. Showing Jason’s multiplicity as a musician and being able to fit a diverse sound into a single record. He sings out on the chorus, increasing the volume of his voice and pushing strong. A break in the middle of the track leading to the bridge when the singer belts out is the release moment. A great, great song that leaves that tremble in your throat and a bit weak in the knees. I am exciting to hear this song live and truly feel the magnitude of the feeling and the emotion baked into it by this man.
The bar that Southeastern set, not just for the songwriter but an entire generation of roots/folk songwriters, was so high that it was nearly impossible to hit again. Well, I think we have just seen the start of long, long run of poignant, deeply moving records from this guy. With ‘Something More Than Free’ Isbell further cements himself as one of the greatest writers of current time.