The Last Kings Of Babylon
Thirty Tigers, 2025
9/10
Listen to The Last Kings Of Babylon
The Oklahoma native Jason Boland returns with 10 new songs that are reflective and meticulous, where the Stragglers bring their inimitable talents.
“Next To Last Hank Williams” begins with Boland’s deep pipes amid thumping drums and warm fiddle, and the lively “Truest Colors” follows with quick melodies and plenty of country rock nods that you can’t not enjoy.
Halfway through, “High Time” showcases fiddle acrobatics amid the playful singing and dance floor energy, while “One Law At A Time” is an intimate moment of sublime beauty and poetic song craft that tugs on the heart strings.
Close to the end, “Irish Goodbye” finds a dreamy place to reside thanks to the pretty guitar, eloquent vocals and rural spirit, and “Buffalo Return To The Plains” exits with harmonic keys guiding the fluid melodies and Boland’s charming vocals.
An album that’s a little more muscular than his previous work, Boland embraces plenty of folk traditions via these well thought out and memorable stories.
Travels well with: Mike McClure- Looking Up; The Great Divide- Providence