Artist: Jonathan Tyler
Album: Holy Smokes
Bitrate: 235kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Thirty Tigers
Genre: Rock
Size: 78.70 megs
PlayTime: 0h 44min 21sec total
Rip Date: 2015-09-04
Store Date: 2015-08-07
Track List:
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01. Hallelujah 4:12
02. Goin' Down To The City 2:46
03. Honey Pie 3:39
04. Let It Out 3:37
05. To Love Is To Fly 3:29
06. California Sunshine 4:24
07. Riverbottom 3:29
08. Late Night Special 4:19
09. Hey Mama, My Time Ain't Long 4:00
10. Disappear 4:14
11. Everything Was Cool In 2002 6:12
Release Notes:
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How the hell did I not know about Jonathan Tyler sooner? I love to convince
myself IÆm aware of the best country and Americana have to offer out there, but
I most certainly donÆt. ThatÆs part of the excitement as a reviewer and fan of
music: finding new awesome music and Jonathan Tyler is certainly a maker of
awesome music. Originally Tyler was known as Jonathan Tyler and the Northern
Lights, but a lawsuit forced a name change. The band appeared to get their big
break back in 2010 when they signed with Atlantic Records and their first album
under the label, Pardon Me, experienced a lot of success. Unfortunately this
partnership ended due to creative differences between the sides, as they wanted
him to talk with a Jason Aldean producer and Tyler had no interest in
compromising his vision. Now Tyler is with Thirty Tigers, home to Jason Isbell
and several other talented artists in the country and Americana realms. ItÆs a
good thing he got away from Atlantic too because we wouldnÆt have gotten his new
album Holy Smokes. And I like to think itÆs named this because this is what
youÆll say after listening to it.
The hard-hitting country rock anthem ôHallelujahö kicks off Holy Smokes. ThereÆs
plenty of electric guitar throughout this song to satiate any fans taste for it.
You also find out right away that TylerÆs got a dynamic voice, allowing him to
sing whatever he wants. A fast-paced and energetic song like this is the perfect
song to start the album. The following song ôGoinÆ Down To The Cityö slows
things down and is decidedly more country. The piano and acoustic guitar drive
the sound of this song. ThereÆs an underlying southern rock influence to the
song too that gives it a laid back feeling. ôHoney Pieö is a song about a man
wanting a woman to accept him back into her life again. He wonders too why their
love went dry in the first place, as he feels they had it all figured out some
point. The lyrics and instrumentation are quite catchy and the desperation Tyler
expresses in his voice as he sings really adds more of an edge to the song.
One of the highlights of the album to me is ôLet It Out.ö ItÆs a song about a
manÆs struggle with his internal demons and being unable to let go of a love he
feels he deserves. The steel guitars throughout the song really help create a
desperado state of mind in the listener, which fits perfectly with the theme of
the song. Everything in this song simply works together well to make a great
song. Jonathan Tyler is joined on ôTo Love Is To Flyö by fellow alt country
singer Nikki Lane. Their voices really gel together well, as they sing this love
ballad of two people falling in love. Both people realize theyÆre bad and great
for each other, which they explain well through the song. This is another one of
the high points of the album, as this song was tailor-made for a Tyler and Lane
duet. Tyler shows off more of his Americana side on ôCalifornia Sunshine.ö The
reason I say Americana is because the sound of this song is like a fusion of
country, southern rock and blues. This is in a good way of course. I canÆt get
over how engaging and creative the instrumentation is throughout Holy Smokes.
ItÆs one of the immediate draws of this album that will make you love it and
this song is really the exemplification of it.
The most fun song of the album is hands-down ôRiverbottom,ö which I imagine is
quite popular with live crowds. How could it not be? The high-energy guitars and
pace make it easy to love. The song is about a man willing to do anything to get
a woman to say sheÆll be his. The chorus of the song really hooks you in and I
guarantee after multiple listens it will be stuck in your head for a while.
ôLate Night Specialö is a spacey and somewhat dark song about a woman calling up
a man at late parts of the night. Or as she calls him, ôMr. Late Night Special.ö
I think you can infer the meaning here. The sound of this song isàI want to say
weird, but itÆs oddly mesmerizing at the same time. ThatÆs about the best way I
could describe it. Regardless it doesnÆt matter if I canÆt find the words to
describe it, I just know itÆs a damn good song.
Tyler collaborated with the well-known Texas singer-songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard
on ôHey Mama, My Time AinÆt Longö and you can sense from the first listen this
song is special. ItÆs a dark cowboy ballad about a desperado who has committed
some serious crimes. He knows the consequences are going to result in his death
and continues to reiterate that his time isnÆt long. ThereÆs not one thing
missing from this song and is easily the best on the album and one of the best
songs IÆve heard this year.
ôDisappearö is a song about a woman being encouraged to leave her small town and
pursue her dreams in the big city or wherever she chooses. This is the type of
song you can appreciate more with each listen, as the lyrics are well written
and do a great job telling a story to the listener. The acoustic guitars and
steel guitars combined with timely organ play in the background make for great
instrumentation. In other words this is just another quality country song on an
album full of them. The longest song on Holy Smokes, ôEverything Was Cool in
2002,ö closes the album out. ItÆs a smoky tune that sounds like it came straight
out of New Orleans with its earthy guitar licks and organ play. It almost has a
psychedelic air about it. The instrumentation in this song is absolutely
flawless and the production is magnificent. ItÆs a strong closer to an album
with very few weaknesses.
Jonathan TylerÆs Holy Smokes is an all-around terrific album. No beating around
the bush in terms of a recommendation: Go buy this album as soon as possible.
ItÆs full of cleverly written songs, excellent instrumentation and vocals that
will impress any fan of alt country and Americana. Thank whatever deity you
believe in that Tyler didnÆt stick with Atlantic Records and produce neutered
and watered down music. We wouldnÆt have gotten this brilliant and refreshing
album. ItÆs one of my favorite albums of the year and will surely be in the
running for several of Country PerspectiveÆs year-end awards. This is alt
country at itÆs best.