Casey Black – Lay You in the Loam

First published as an iTunes album review, hence the brevity.  Why?  I just had to.  Pick up the album here on said music delivery service.

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It’s always wonderful to hear an artist lay himself bare on an album.  Too often, singers hide behind production to convey a feeling or get their message across.  Casey Black?  He writes, sings and performs from the depths of his everything.

From the opening guitar throb of Fire, Fire, Fire to the lovely final strum of Flowers, Casey Black’s latest album is a triumph of pure emotion and expert songwriting.  Framed with simple arrangements and flourished with evocative lyrics, Lay You in the Loam isn’t just the finest album the Big City Folk alumnus has produced in his extensive career.  It’s a wonderful window into the soul of a true artist.

Luckily, Black doesn’t stay mired in the emotional depths for the entire record.  Tracks like the sultry fun of Dig Together and the personally bracing The Idiot shows growth and range from the gravelly voiced Nashville born singer.  Other standout tracks include the play on words of I’ve Spent My Whole Life, the traditional guitar picker Museum Made of Glass and the deceptively mournful Happiness.

If you give a hoot about good music, folk or otherwise, give Casey Black’s latest effort a good honest spin.  Guaranteed to be one of your surprise favorites of 2013.

Score – 5 Stars