Another two years passed before Jason Isbell released his fourth studio album, 2013’s Southeastern. And they were an eventful two years, finding Isbell in rehab for his drug and alcohol addiction. It was an experience he poured right into the music on this record.
The album was recorded without the 400 Unit due to the personal nature of the material. Initially planned as a solo acoustic release, Isbell eventually brought in other musicians to flesh out the sound.
Southeastern is widely considered Isbell’s best album. And while I’m somewhat partial to Here We Rest, I certainly can’t quibble with that assessment. This is a gorgeous and gripping collection.
Opener ‘Cover Me Up’ is a beautiful love song written for Isbell’s new wife, Amanda Shires. Seven years later, it got a bigger profile when covered by Morgan Wallen. After Wallen was caught on tape using the n-word, Isbell donated all of his songwriting royalties for the song to the NAACP.
The rest of the album digs into thornier material, including addiction, sexual abuse, and terminal illness. I know that sounds like a party but the songs are melodic and rewarding, not hard to listen to but hard to turn away from.
Today’s SOTD is a great example. It finds the narrator suffering another break-up due to his drinking, and Isbell infuses every line with pathos and passion.
Note: Happy Birthday to occasional commenter Amy!
I said, “there’s two kinds of men in this world and you’re neither of them.”
And his fist cut the smoke
I had an eighth of a second to wonder if he got the joke
And in the car, headed home
She asked if I had considered the prospect of living alone
With a steak held to my eye
I had to summon the confidence needed to hear her goodbye
And another brief chapter without any answers blew by
And the songs that she sang in the shower are stuck in my head
Like “Bring Out Your Dead”, “Breakfast In Bed”
And experience robs me of hope that she’ll make it back home
So I’m stuck on my own
Oh, I’m stuck on my own
In the room by myself
Looks like I’m here with a guy that I judge worse than anyone else
So I pace and I pray
And I repeat the mantras that might keep me clean for the day
And the songs that she sang in the shower all ring in my ears
Like “Wish You Were Here”
How I wish you were here
And experience robs me of hope that you’ll ever return
So I breathe and I burn
I breathe and I burn
And the church bells are ringing for those who are easy to please
And the frost on the ground probably envies the frost on the trees
And the songs that she sang in the shower are stuck in my mind
Like “Yesterday’s Wine”
Like “Yesterday’s Wine”
And experience tells me that I’ll never hear them again
Without thinking of then
Without thinking of then
Meet Me In Montauk 
Lovely song, and clearly another album I need to listen to.
And, yes, Happy Birthday to occasional commenter, recent Jason Isbell fan and my loving wife, Amy, whose birthday present this year is seeing Isbell at the Ryman in Nashville in October.
Happy Birthday Amy 🥰 what a nice birthday gift to look forward to! Love this song
This is the second album I listened to in its entirety after falling in love with Foxes in the Snow, which, not surprisingly, is still my favorite.
Isabell’s lyrics occasionally deliver such an emotional gut punch that I have a physical response to them. So excited to hear him perform live in the Ryman. 🩷