I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!
Technically, this could be considered his only solo disk. On his two others, he utilized the talents of other musicians. On Foxes in the Snow, it is Isbell only. Acoustic guitar and vocal. The 11 songs recorded over five days. That's it.
Call this album what you'd like: Roots music. Americana. Country. At times it is one of those things, or all of those things.
Whether this is Isbell's "divorce record" or not is probably up for debate. A song title like "Good While it Lasted" seems to point in that direction, but the lyrics don't really portray it. Of course everything could be wrapped up in metaphors for all I know. The themes of beginnings or endings seems to permeate the record.
Obviously, with one guitar and no backing vocals, this is as stripped down at music gets. Isbell is a gifted songwriter and guitarist, so it all works out - sonically.
The disk kicks off with "Bury Me" which is probably as country as the album gets, but I like it. The guitar work on "Ride to Robert's" (which is a bar in Nashville - which I've been to) is amazing.
The title track is really good, possibly the best on the album. "True Believer" is up there too.
Isbell is a storyteller as much as he is a musician. He is stellar at both.
Foxes in the Snow isn't going to sell through radio play. There isn't anything commercial enough to play there. This will be for his fans and spread word of mouth. I get the genre isn't for everyone - but honestly, which one is?
Foxes is a good disk. While it's early in 2025, it is the best one of the year so far.
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