Big Talk
Hooked, 2023
8/10
The 3rd album from the singer-songwriter and guitarist Jarrod Dickenson, the last few years have brought major label drama, Covid complications and repercussions of the Trump administration into his orbit, and that’s reflected in these direct and unwavering new tunes.
“Buckle Under Pressure” gets the listen off to a driving, melodic start, where flowing country rock is populated by well timed organ, thumping drums and bright guitars, and “Born To Wander” follows with a thick presence of firmly strummed acoustic guitar and calm bits in between the rugged Americana.
“Bamboozled” lands in the middle, and is layered with a hint of darker nods that are a bit mysterious, while “With Any Luck”, the best track, brings both grit and tunefulness to the meticulous guitar playing and upbeat rootsy flavor.
Close to the end, “Don’t Deprive Me” recruits hints of the past amid the slight jangle as Dickenson hits some pretty high notes, and “Goodnight” exits the listen with a poetic and intimate delivery of bare but impactful song craft.
Originally from Texas but now residing in Nashville, Dickenson takes help from Jano Rix (drums, keys), Ted Peccho (bass), JP Ruggieri (guitars) and Claire Dickenson (backing vocals), and it sure does make for a relevant, sometimes growling and very upfront body of work that’s as fierce as it is memorable.
Travels well with: Annie Dressner- Coffee At The Corner Bar; Mark Erelli- Lay Your Darkness Down