Jason Isbell's Something More Than Free
How does Jason Isbell follow his 2013 multi Grammy* nominated Southeastern? By continuing to do what he does well: literary storytelling and memorable songs. Though half the songs on the 2015 release Something More than Free retain the singer-songwriter intimate, personal acoustic guitar focus Isbell highlighted on Southeastern (a departure from his early Drive-by Truckers and solo songs), Isbell and his band, The 400 Unit, enlarge the other songs with more musical accompaniment as in earlier recordings. Whether full band or singer songwriter style, the music provides a foundation for Isbell’s stories and lyrical focuses.
Isbell continues creating common characters listener’s relate to despite (or because of) the characters’ flaws. The opening track, “If it Takes a Lifetime,” emphasizes two complimentary forces keeping the character productive: family and job. The refrain “I got too far from my raisin’ I forgot where I come from, and the line between right and wrong was so fine” focuses on family and the narrator’s need to conform, even if “it takes a lifetime.”
Not only do the lyrics clearly establish this character’s need to be accountable, but the multiple vocals in the refrain suggest distinctly different voices as if to mimic the family and social accountability. In addition, the job also keeps the narrator accountable through the threat of drug testing: “Working for the county keeps me pissing clear.” And though no hint of work satisfaction, he says, “I keep on showing up.”
Isbell’s literary merit affords him the expanse of the emotional map, but instead, he continues fleshing out another character’s accountability while striving for the American Dream in the title track “Something More than Free.” For example, the character believes his religion will provide his heavenly reward despite those who reap his earthly labors. He says he “Load[s] boxes onto trucks for someone else’s sake,” “But I thank God for the work,” all the while ironically recognizing that the “poor man’s up for sale.” Isbell reveals his keen eye for the South and the social enforcement by exploring the reward for responsibility.
These southern characters reveal added depth when self-reflecting, offering a nostalgic lens in the song “The Life You Chose”: “I’m still in your back seat. Nothing I’ve had since has meant a thing to me.” Despite the lover’s alcohol and substance abuse perpetuated in the backseat of her “momma’s car,” she’s reading Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, suggesting a self realization by connecting the lover and the clinically depressed novel character.
Any singer songwriter aficionado or Americana listener will benefit from listening to Jason Isbell’s Something More than Free.
Favorite Lines:
“How to Forget”
- “she won’t stop telling stories, and most of them are true”
- “teach me how to forget…teach me how to unlearn a lesson”
* Isbell was awarded 2016 Grammys for Best Americana Album for Something More Than Free and Best American Roots Song for "24 Frames."