Tim Easton
The Truth About Us
New West Records 6023
visit Tim's website
also available on amazon
When you first put this disc in the changer you might think you were having some kind of flashback to the folk power songwriting days of the 60’s. You might think you are hearing Tim Hardin, not an imitation but …. The songwriting has the characteristics of the days when craft in writing/building a song was important (not as prevalent so much now). The songs are mostly of love and love gone awry, without being drippy or smeared with self-pity. This is a disc surging with power. The songs are tastily arranged and the focus is on the singer and the lyrics. The tasteful playing serves to heighten and enhance the potency of the song. The fills are tasteful and show the musicianship of the musicians and work with the songs. There is strength and daring in the songwriting, all but 2 of the songs are written by
Easton and J.P. Olsen writes the other 2. He is ably backed by members of The Jayhawks and Wilco which I guess for some who love labels puts this in the alt-country genre. To me it is using strengths to build a fine crafted, tight disc. He is joined on at least one cut (my liner notes were all smudged) by Victoria Williams and her husband Marc Olson. Strength is a key here and this is a disc worth listening to.