Jim Libby’s latest CD simply titled Jim Libby Band is a step up from his last fine album three years ago. Here, his vocal work, his songwriting, and his crack country rock band reach the human heart on some tunes but also knock down doors on others. There is an earnestness and a heartiness that makes Libby’s music real no matter how he’s putting his message across.
Opening track “Man Down” swiftly pulls the listener into Libby’s sonic landscape of edgy, knobby, driving country music. Libby’s voice still has that larger than life quality, a character rich vocal that’s full of depth, emotion. His richness fits like a glove over this tale of a doomed seaman, a haunting tale of a harrowing encounter with the unforgiving ocean.
“Blue Collar Rich Man” has an engaging chorus and thoughtful lyrics. Libby’s voice is particularly hearty here as he talks about a self made man who went far through hard work and true American grit. He pulls the emotion out of this story about how the rich man’s entrepreneurial efforts cost him time with his family. The song engages as the anthem like display of guitars and marching beat feels triumphant while the rich man’s story feels like a double edged sword.
“Heavy Country” defines for the listener the sound Libby and his band mates prefer. He likes old country from his childhood but he also likes it loud, with some good old fashioned rock and roll overdrive. Libby manages a fine balance between rock aggression and country heart here. This song, and most of this new album, should go over well with fans of both. John Chebator’s lead guitar presses out lean mean phrasing while bassist John Foster keeps it driving and drummer Jeff Armstrong pushes the music around.
“Made In The USA” has a swirling guitar phrase that wraps quite well around Libby’s theme of pride in American workers and products. Libby is the kind of singer that can make you believe in what he has to say, as his hearty vocal is filled with purpose. The pro-American worker theme escapes being corny and hokey because of the emotion in the vocal and the grit and determination in the musicianship.
“Livin’ Lovin’ Gone” has a real purty pedal steel line played by Scotty Sanders. Combined with perky lead guitar from Chebator and their tight rhythm section, this tune becomes a mid-tempo, shuffling joy ride with plenty of nice touches in the sonic landscape. This song feels like it’s travels along a beautiful countryside view.
“Kenny” takes things down tempo so Libby can tell a man’s tale with plucky determination. It’s uncanny how Libby can find something to admire and appreciate someone with obvious flaws. His songwriting perceptions and skills are beautifully fleshed out here, with Libby’s voice full of emotion within his gruff masculine baritone. Chebator’s lead guitar phrase sails through with pride and energy with guest keyboardist Jeff Roach tapping out an appealing swirl around it all.
The curios title “HEDMTYEK” is a clever acronym for “happens every day more than you even know.” Libby and his boys take us through this pleasant mid-tempo glide. His hearty vocal is particularly happy and expressive here. A lead guitar line carries us even deeper into song about the good things that happen all around us. Even people who might not particularly follow country music would still likely enjoy this positive, smile inducing number.
Libby takes us into darker territory with his “Self Destruction.” An elliptical description of someone in distress, we only get a sense of the urgent dire straights. It’s probably better that way, as many in harrowing trouble can relate to this edgy, nervous tale. Libby means business as his hefty vocal brings us into the darkness and the Chebator’s guitar phrase, jittery with angst, carries the listener even further into the world of impending chaos, loss, and undesirable fate.
Libby shows us his softer side on “Blurry Eyes Of Tears,” a weepy, sorrowful, but meaningful and never maudlin country ballad. His voice finds the soft spot without getting wimpy. His sorrow is perfectly mirrored by a perky lead guitar, mournful bass, crying pedal steel, mopey, take your time drum work, and a soft, hesitant piano tinkling. If you are not feeling something by the time this song is over, check your pulse. You’re dead.
Libby gets back to his adventurous country rock side as he throws his weight into “Hell Bound.” His voice is full of country strong pluck while his band rocks it. Fiery lead guitar skitters through while his rhythm section and organist punctuate it well with a wide, forceful sound. Foster’s bass work and Armstrong’s drumming kick some extra butt on the ride out, making for one hellfire, bang up ending.
“Lost In The Limelight” is a tender ballad about being a performer who has other things on his mind during a show. His good times just got worse right before show time. Witty and tenderly delivered, Libby makes this a poignant reminder about how the show must go on, even though one’s heart is broken and his mind is scattered. Roach’s piano tinkling helps hit the sentimental soft spot, making it even harder not to feel for the man.
“Passion” is a leap into more aggressive rock and roll territory. With arena rock power chords beneath his sails, Libby bursts through the sonic landscape with a persistent drive. He belts this one like an unholy mutha, moving through the groove with a tough guy’s menace. It also shows another uncanny element to this CD. Libby is truly just as comfortable with hard rock as he is with mournful country ballads. Though there is nothing country in this track, Libby’s strong musical personality welds it into his own sound as much as anything else on here.
Libby and his boys close out with “Twinkle,” a play on “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” This love for the homestead finds the songwriter taking the listener through his burgeoning romance with his life time partner. His life, from that point on, is reminiscent of a star’s twinkle, making a sweet life and multiplying babies, and enjoying it all through the years. Libby’s warm lead vocal and his band’s tuft of emotive instrumentation carry it all the way home.
Libby has done exceedingly well with his band’s eponymous CD. He’s taken things a few notches higher since 2012’s Made In USA album, as his songwriting has gotten even stronger and he’s learned more about vocal nuance. Jim Libby Band’s new, self-titled CD is likely to be a big seller here in New England. Heck, it might even get some spins down there in Nashville.
