Holster Your Silver
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
A singer-songwriter from Iowa, Brian Johannesen endured much tragedy while finishing this sophomore album, and even though much of the record was finished before the passing of his mother-in-law, the themes of loss and anxiety took on new meaning in the wake of her death.
“Somewhere Down The Line” starts the listen with immediately alluring acoustic guitar as Johannesen’s crisp and smooth delivery suits the pedal steel, and “Copper Queen” follows with a more rugged approach as fuller sounds offers hints at possible punk roots.
Johannesen delivers one fine track after another here, including the country tinted and fiddle friendly “Way Back Down There”, where a piano solo adds much to the landscape, as well as bouncy spirit of “Music Business Blues Breakdown”, where a firm rock’n’roll angle helps make this one of the album’s best.
At the end, his vivid storytelling is quite prevalent on the shuffling pace and rootsy fun of “Fremont”, and “Holster Your Silver” ends the listen with keys and violins in the emotive exit that would give Lucero a run for their money.
Born and raised in the midwest, Johannesen’s brand of Americana is as authentic as it is timeless, as Holster Your Silver offers us the first great Americana record of 2020.
Travels well with: Will Stewart- County Seat; David Newbould- Sin & Redemption