Wreckage Of Now
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The Colorado musician Jay Stott has done plenty of things in his 51 years, including being a hot tub technician, ski instructor and strip club bouncer, but it’s pretty likely that songwriting is something he does best. On this sophomore album the Pennsylvania native brings plenty of life experience to his thoughtful song craft, where 8 contributors add much to the compelling storytelling.
Stott starts the listen with the title track, where expressive singing and firm country roots populate the warm and melodic atmosphere, and “All Night Long” continues the strong musicianship with an upbeat bar rocker, as well as the soaring folk spirit of “Desert Heat”, where light female vocals add much to the beauty.
In the middle, “Electric Guy (In A Bluegrass Town)” brings fiddles and spirited electric guitar to the rural rocker, while “Grain Belt Sign” trims the pace and volume back with an agile, rootsy feel. “One Drink Two Drink”, one of the album’s best, then moves with a bristling pace of rowdy country rock intensity that’s as infectious as it is timeless.
At the end, “Stuck In Love’ offers sublime balladry amid vivid storytelling, and “Dying In Droves” exits the listen in calmer territory, too, as Stott displays meticulous sounds with much emotion.
Certainly under the Americana umbrella, but with moments of country, classic rock, southern rock, blues, folk and old fashioned rock’n’roll, Stott can write a song you won’t forget anytime soon, and this 2nd album proves that the renaissance man is doing some of his best work later in life.
Travels well with: Steven Bruce- Same Time, Same Place, Same Station; The Jason Daniels Band- Downloads From The Universe