Hard Times And A Woman
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
Listen to Hard Times And A Woman
The guitarist and singer-songwriter Justin Golden might be known as a bluesman, but this exceptional debut doesn’t hide his interest in plenty of other genres, too, and his time spent living in Virginia is certainly evident in the fingerpicking and often lush landscapes.
“Can’t Get Right” starts the album off with warm, bluesy guitar and Golden’s soulful and cozy vocals guiding the agile melodies, and “Ain’t Just Luck” follows with crisp drums from Drew Barnocky as some grit enters the cautious Americana.
Approaching the halfway point, “Must Be Honey” offers a playful and sweet version of folk-rock that benefits from Tyler Meacham’s strategic organ, while “Why The Sun Goes Down” charges forward with a busier display of country rock ideas amid soothing backing vocals.
Near to the end, the fuzzy and louder “If I Keep It Together”, the album’s best, offers some sturdy blues rock, and “Oh Lord, Oh Lord” recruits Eli Hubbard’s banjo and Andrew Alli’s well timed harmonica for the gospel flavored exit.
An artist who can remind you of James Taylor, Taj Mahal or even modern day indie-sounds like Hiss Golden Messenger, Justin Golden is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more about, so you may as well just pick this first album up and be enamored.
Travels well with: Steve Dawson- at the bottom of a canyon in the branches of a tree; Dedicated Men Of Zion- Can’t Turn Me Around