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Bobby Bare, Jr. could’ve phoned in a career. He could’ve exploited the fact that he’s the son of iconic Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare, was born into Nashville’s Music Row elite, and counted artists like Shel Silverstein as close family friends and George Jones and Tammy Wynette as next door neighbors. Instead, Bobby blazed a path of unique songwriting craftsmanship with a voice that blows through you like a cutting wind on the desolate prairie. Undefeated, due out April 15th on Bloodshot Records, is BBJ’s first release since 2010 and what he calls his “break-up record,” but the whole of it is much more involved: this isn’t escapism; it’s an emotional survival guide. Undefeated is ten songs of reality checks, clever wordplay, and daring arrangements, the aural companion to that buddy who pulls up a bar stool next to yours to help soak away your sorrows. Undefeated is an album of distinct balance, but with raw and varied textures. “North of Alabama By Mornin'” leads with a murky, palm-muted electric guitar and striding, crunchy organ backbeat; a combination that is undeniably kinetic à la Humble Pie’s ‘70s boogie grooves and sinister and sexy, like a Southern doppelganger to Greg Dulli/The Twilight Singers. Bare Jr.’s ghostly high/low vocal layers echo the bleak picture of a metaphorical road trip, when his confidence slips, “Am I holding the steering wheel or is it holding me?/ The transmission is slipping like a pigeon through a tiger’s teeth.”
BOBBY BARE JR.’S YOUNG CRIMINAL’S STARVATION LEAGUE PLAY THE BOOT & SADDLE ON APRIL 18TH 8 PM doors | $10-12 | 21+ WITH CORY BRANAN