The Batlord

The Batlord Learns to Like Country...Maybe: Part VII

Townes Van Zandt: Townes Van Zandt

I'm in a shitty, depressed mood, so what better time to give Townes Van Zandt's next album a try...




There's something truly beautiful about Townes Van Zandt's music. It's country folk, but it's not generic strummy strummy stuff. I wish I knew more about musical composition, but I can still tell that there's stuff goin' on there. Every song on here really stands out and has an identity all its own. "Columbine" has dreamy guitar playing that really gives me the image of a beautiful summer day with the wind blowing, yet is somehow melancholy. "Waiting Round to Die" is Van Zandt at his most nihilistic. It seems to come from that panicky, claustrophobic place where it feels like the world is caving in on you and you can't stop the emotional pain from washing over you in waves. That place where swallowing a bottle of aspirin starts to sound like a comfort. Townes' guitar playing is somehow hypnotic and creates a compelling atmosphere that draws you in and then his sorrowful voice whispers the sad, cruel truths of the world into your ear. He seems to express himself so fully that it's like his entire being is in his songs, so that it's like he's sitting right here next to me. Or something less pretentious. I've never really been a big fan of folk, but this guy is really something else. In the course of less than a week I've gone from interested to in love. I could listen to this dude for hours. Well, I don't quite know what else to say, since I'm a shit reviewer, but don't let my failings stop you from checking this dude out. If you're in a sad, reflective mood and need something to comfortably wallow in your misery to then this is what you need. Oh, and it should be raining.

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