This album by Justin Bailey has been a long time coming. I’ve been lucky enough to hear bits and pieces of the Rust before it came out, but the final product is impressive.
Bailey is proud of his Nashville roots, which shows in his smokey voice, alternative country and folk influences. He has lately spent a great deal of his time in the Northwest, listening to plenty of Josh Ritter. Justin also has a passion for good books, and even writes a bit himself. The album comes with a companion guide that reflects on each song.
With haunting and beautiful songs like “Coffee and Blues” (my favorite), this album is hard to resist. Justin does a great job of changing up the tone on Rust. It goes from a smooth and pensive, “Rust,” to a 80s jam, “Let’s Run Tonight.” Then comes “Weather Vane,” and who can argue with lyrics like “I treated freedom like a dubious lover, after we’ve fucked and sobered up.” “Light and Dark” reminds me of an Avett Brothers’ song. And I can’t stop listening to the old timey, “Goodnight My Dear.” The album ends with the straight folky and lonesome “Tourniquet Years.” There is not a song on the album that I don’t like.
As JB states in “Tourniquet Years,” “just like my brother, I’ll fight before smother, we’ll roll through the world just like thunder.” If you like Joe Pug, Josh Ritter, Ryan Adams, and The Avett Brothers, I would check out Mr. Justin Bailey. But don’t let him near your girlfriend. You can buy the album on Itunes or on Bandcamp
Goodnight My Dear by Justin Bailey 3
Coffee and Blues by Justin Bailey 3
-Glenn
