Jamey Johnson is a country throwback in nearly every way– a deep voice that booms like a bass drum with a bit of a marble mouthed drawl, meandering acoustic guitars that tell a story all to themselves, and a backing band that understands when to hit their spots and when to take center stage. 2008’s That Lonesome Sound is an ode to the genre he loves, featuring tales of heartbreak and hope in an honest way that only country singer-songwriters are truly capable of. Case in point– the song “High Cost of Living”, which features the story of a man who delves into drug addiction and throws his family life away before finding his own sense of redemption after he’s locked away in prison. It’s stories like this where Johnson really shines, finding the glimmer of humanity in a sordid situation and showing us that there is beauty in regret provided lessons are learned (even if they have to be learned the hard way).
Along with his own solo material, Johnson is also an incredibly accomplished songwriter for other artists, a list that includes country luminaries like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Trace Adkins, and George Strait. But even with a roster that large, I think we can all agree it’s a good thing he saved the standout song from this album “In Color” all for himself.
Standout Songs: “In Color”, “High Cost of Living”, “Mowin’ Down The Roses”, “Place Out On The Ocean”
