Tim Easton
Break Your Mother's Heart (New West Records)
By: Alex Steininger
Tim Easton's third full-length, and second for New West Records, Break Your Mother's Heart, finds the Los Angeles-by-way-of-Akron, Ohio musician retreating from the alt-country of The Truth About Us, delivering a more folk-focused piece of work.The album opens with "Poor, Poor LA", a song that echoes the title of the album in the chorus. A swift folk song chalk full of melody, Easton's blend of country roots, pop sensibilities, and folk swell to an infectious, toe-tapping & head bopping point when the chorus enters, the tales of lost love and life struggles locked in every note.
"Poor, Poor LA" is followed by "Black Hearted Ways", a roots-y folk-rock number that finds Easton's sensible, world weary voice recalling memories of a relationship that just wasn't meant to be.
The temperature rises on "Lexington Jail", Easton's gritty blues-rock sing-along anthem. Putting a step in your walk and a twinkle in your eye, Easton's bare bones, hard tale lyrics come to life with the blue-collar, down-to-earth story of a traveling man and his adventures while traveling.
"Hummingbird" is a laid-back, acoustic folk-pop number that gentles takes in the world around it, while you gently soak up the mellow, tranquil song.
"Man That You Need", a track that finds Easton playing all the instruments, including a 12-string guitar, pump organ, Hammond Organ, mandolin, and percussion, offers up the album's loveliest, most intimate moment, as Weston bleeds his heart to a person he believes he may be love with.
Though his live shows have, and still continue to be, more rock oriented, Easton's stripped down, yet nicely produced roots approach is as organic and real as the soil on which it was built. Easton's narratives are always believable and heartfelt, his voice a strong hand in everything the album tackles. This is a truly beautiful, well-composed collection of folk-pop-rock art. I'll give it an A-.
