Style: Diverse Texas fare; compare to Townes Van Zandt, Emmylou Harris, Justin Townes Earle
Top tracks: “Dress of Laces,” “Understand You,” “White Freightliner Blues”
Release Me closes out Lovett’s 27-year history with Curb/Universal and showcases his eclectic range of superb songwriting and musicianship. His signature Texas roots anchor the collection that veers from gospel-rock-blues scorchers to bluegrass, country, and delicate acoustic ballads—and two oddly interspersed Christmas songs. Shakespeare would be proud of the devastatingly tragic “Dress of Laces,” and “Understand You” plays as a patient, lifeworn love song. Spirit and flesh stand in opposing corners—the gospel song “Isn’t That So” comingled with “Girl with the Holiday Smile,” which celebrates a liaison with a prostitute. It all wraps up with “Keep Us Steadfast,” is a sparsely beautiful Martin Luther-penned hymn.
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