So far, my greatest streaming success story has to be Jason Isbell. I first discovered the Alabama-born Americana artist through Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop poll, when his ‘If We Were Vampires’ showed up at #20 and was easily the best song on the list.
I downloaded his most recent album, The Nashville Sound, and was blown away. I got that buzz you feel when you know you’ve stumbled onto something special. That sent me back to Amazon to download the other five albums he’s released either solo or with his backing band the 400 Unit.
Every one of them is good, but my favorite is 2011’s Here We Rest, a soulful collection of brilliant folk rock and country tunes.
Prior to his solo career, Isbell sent six years in southern rock band Drive-By Truckers so, completist that I am, I’ve downloaded a trio of their albums as well. I haven’t gotten around to listening to those yet, but they’re up next in my queue.
If you could call it that, a week ago
I never do what I’m supposed to do
I hardly even know my name anymore
When no one calls it out it kinda vanishes away
I can’t get to sleep at night
The parking lot’s so loud and bright
The A/C hasn’t worked in twenty years
Probably never made a single person cold
But I can’t say the same for me
I’ve done it many times
Somebody take me home through those Alabama pines
You can’t drive through Talladega on a weekend in October
Just head up north to Jacksonville. Cut around and over
Watch your speed in Boiling Springs
They ain’t got a thing to do. They’ll get you every time
Somebody take me home through those Alabama pines
Somebody take me home through those Alabama pines
If we pass through on a Sunday, better make a stop at Wayne’s
It’s the only open liquor store north and I can’t stand the pain
Of being by myself without a little help
On a Sunday afternoon
I needed that damn woman like a dream needs gasoline
I tried to be some ancient kind of man
One that’s never seen the beauty in the world
But I tried to chase it down
Tried to make the whole thing mine
Somebody take me home through those Alabama pines
Somebody take me home through those Alabama pines
I’ve been stuck here in this town
If you could call it that, a year or two
I never do what I’m supposed to do
I don’t even need a name anymore
When no one calls it out, it kinda vanishes away
No one gives a damn about the things I give a damn about
The liberties that we can’t do without seem to disappear
Like ghosts in the air
When we don’t even care, it truly vanishes away
Meet Me In Montauk 
Great discovery. He really does have a nice sound.
I agree it’s a nice sound. I like it!