Jason Isbell - Something More Than Free

It's been eight years since Jason Isbell departed the Drive-By Truckers to begin his solo career. Through four albums (including a couple with his backing band the 400 Unit) he has shown a steady progression as a singer and songwriter. However those albums were hardly uplifting in their themes, often dealing with the darker side of Isbell's personality and his dependence on Jack Daniel's and cocaine.

Having married fellow musician Amanda Shires in 2013 and with a first child on the way, 'Something More Than Free' reveals a more positive, forward thinking side. Of course the process began with his last album 'Southeastern' but with this new release, things are taken to a different level with much grander and bolder arrangements.

Take for example what for me is the centre piece of the album 'Children of Children' which lyrically tells the story of how his own parents were very young (17 & 19) when Isbell was born and he reflects upon his mother with "All the years I took from her, just by being born". Musically however this is far different to anything Isbell has done before beginning gently but swelling into a power ballad with soaring guitar and Mellotron string effects. I can envisage it providing a wonderful climax to his live shows.

The change in emphasis is announced with the opening track, the rather jaunty 'If It Takes a Lifetime' which for me is the weakest on the album, but we're back on track again with the following '24 Frames' in which the writer is trying to make a better life, become a better person but is only too aware that God "is something like a pipe bomb ready to blow". In other words, things can change in an instant.

Whether this is the best album Isbell has produced will only be decided with the passing of time but I firmly believe that this is his most accessible and consequently may bring quite a few new followers. If so, can I just say, welcome to the party.