Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Weathervanes ALBUM REVIEW

Weathervanes has at least a handful of Isbell's best songs so far.

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FAV TRACKS: DEATH WISH, KING OF OKLAHOMA, MIDDLE OF THE MORNING, SAVE THE WORLD, CAST IRON SKILLET, VOLUNTEER

LEAST FAV TRACK: THIS AIN'T IT

JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT - WEATHERVANES / 2023 / THIRTY TIGERS / COUNTRY ROCK, AMERICANA

7/10

Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?

[jakedesnake]

As far as I'm concerned, Jason Isbell is arguably one of the best living songwriters I've ever heard. 24 Frames, Speed Trap Town, If We Were Vampires, and Godamn Lonely Love are masterpieces in terms of lyricism and storytelling

[tlly]

Fantano clearly misses the entire point of Jason in the opening speech when he calls him cliche and compares him to Springsteen and Young. Jason has intentionally progressed each album in subversion to country cliche and thoughtless lyrics. His words are powerfully specific, yet tightly relatable to the individual listener. He doesn't mess around with vague themes that pander to commercial audiences, nor does he ever speak of desire for the "commercial" fame Fantano references. If one was to make any comparison at all, they should call the names of Prine and Dylan. However, if one actually listens to Isbell's discography, they find that he really carved his own name into the Americana hardwood, truly beyond comparison.

[Armagedn]

Southeastern and Something More Than Free are both basically 10/10 records. This one was more of a grower to me, but I'm liking it a lot more than the last couple

[jackmcmuscles]

If anyone deserves the Fantano boost it's Isbell. Easily one of our best modern songwriters

[SonicFan]

Wasn't expecting this review, but happy to see him covered. Weathervanes is easily my favorite album of the year so far

[wonder_of_it_all]

Jason is basically a god to me at this point and this album is a 9.5

The thing with Jason is you have to really listen to the songs with intent and pay attention to the lyrics and think about them. You're not gonna get the full experience if you're only listening to a song once or twice.

I've been listening to him for 3 and a half years and there are still times when I focus in on a detail in the lyrics that I've never considered before and it clicks, revealing a whole new aspect of the story. It's like reading a novel but in song form.

He is a crazy good guitar player as well. It's worth noting that this is the first album he produced himself since before Southeastern. I think he did an awesome job.

[willyb]

When We Were Close is actually one of my favorites on the album. It’s about Justin Townes Earle

[lonecycle]

I don't know, Melon. When We Were Close is pretty autobiographical about his relationship with Justin Townes Earle. The drive of that song seems to match the real anger of losing someone to an overdose/addiction that they couldn't pull out of.

[plmnrt]

the double punch of Death Wish and King of Oklahoma alone deserves a yellow

[imeowmeowkat]

Jason Isbell is consistently making the best country out right now. Weathervanes is an easy 9 for me

[NakNak]

I am blown away by the lack of note of the song White Beretta both in the video and the comments. Such an outstanding heartwrenching song when you read between the lines of what it's about.

[pyddl]

Spectrum Pulse introduced me to Jason Isbell, and this record might become my favourite studio album released this year

[directamplification]

I'm so glad to finally see Fantano talking about Jason Isbell. He's been the best country artist currently working ever since Southeastern in 2013 (arguably a 10/10 album), and Weathervanes is probably his best since that one!

[lowellh]

Jason Isbell is the best song writer since Bob Dylan

[munsulight]

This is one of the album that grew a lot for me. It started as like a high 5 to 6 and now stands in the high 8 to low 9. Musical arrangment and the emotions are what finally got to me the more I listened to this. Weirdly enough the backend of the album is one I enjoy the most about the album. Cast Iron Skillet is another favorite of mine

[abyss]

Went to a Jason Isbell concert with my dad. I usually don’t like country music so I hadn’t heard any of his music beforehand. His performance moved me to tears and I’ve been a fan ever since! Amazing lyricist.

[BigOwl]

Bro 100% posted this strategically because of all the drama going around between Jason Isbell and Jason Aldean. This album came out like a month ago. Love to see it tho. Great album

[silvergxld]

if it was called To Pimp A Weathervane it would be a 10/10

[TeaandTickers]

when we were close is more personal then think you realise .he was friends with Justin Townes Earle, fell out and he died before he could patch up friendship. I feel you should of researched more to give the songs more context

[GregVKMusic]

While I enjoy Jason's instrumental work. It's his lyricism that always brings me back. It's between Pheobe Bridgers and him for my favourite lyricists right now.