Life Is Just A Vapor
Thirty Tigers, 2025
9/10
Listen to Life Is Just A Vapor
The veteran singer-songwriter Paul Thorn has learned many lessons during his 6 decades on the planet, and much of that is present across these 11 new songs via his rootsy sounds.
The thumping and gritty “Tough Times Don’t Last” opens with plenty of melodies and bright brass entering the anthemic quality, and “Courage My Love” follows with the flowing rhythm section and Thorn’s wise singing that touches on the blues.
The title track lands closer to the middle and is an intimate moment that welcomes warm acoustic guitar and some country spirit, while “I’m Just Waiting” is a thicker moment that allows for Thorn’s meticulous guitar which suits the soulful backing vocals and rugged delivery of the album’s best.
Arriving close to the end, the fluid keys and playful delivery of “Wait” comes with relevant storytelling that aligns with plenty of pop and rock fun, and “Old Melodies” exits with heartfelt and sincere song craft that’s soft and full of timeless beauty.
An easily relatable album that borrows from Americana, blues, country and rock, Thorn’s brand of southern music has been consistently released since 1997 and his songs continue to resonate long after the record ends.
Travels well with: Joe Ely- Driven To Drive; Dave Alvin- From An Old Guitar: Rare And Unreleased Recordings