Bentley's Bandstand
This is an album Bruce Springsteen likely wishes he could make. The songs have the weight of great moment, capturing a country full of people looking behind them to see how fast the past is catching up, and ahead to see if there's a cliff to fall off. Slaid Cleaves (yes that's his name), has created one of the best albums of this decade, and done so by simply staring truth in the eye and telling us what he finds out. His voice reflects the whole range of human feelings, from the man confronting the world alone ("Cry"), to the hanging tree ("Twistin'"), there is a strength of character in Cleaves' writing that can be slyly staggering. As the songs unfold, it's as if a new world is being created right before us. These are people whose dreams are being squashed but refuse to stop. And as long as chords can be played and words can be sung, there is a chance hope will fill the room where this music lives and listeners can find somber strength at its center. The last song, "Temporary," says it all. The message isn't so much surprising as it is inspiring, and maybe that's why Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away rings so true. Slaid Cleaves knows the score, and he's not afraid to share it. With lucky us.
