Although you have to applaud the general mood of positivism behind this album, given the dire state of U.S. politics, track titles like American Dreams Denied and The Future Ain't What It Used To Be seem to reflect the current climate more accurately.
Joe Hill's Garage poses the topical question as to whether or not a dead dream can be revived. It would be nice if one could share the singer's optimism on this point.
Things are on more solid ground when it comes to romance, largely because Porter's luck has changed since 27, his last record.
Whereas he previously sang "Love is a game I never win" now he says "I'm in love, in a very healthy, serious relationship" and his current preoccupations centre on making sure things stay fresh and vibrant.
Songs like Burn Away, Bright Star and Strong Enough are about the balance of joy and fear that comes with the territory. In the last of these he sings "I told myself I'd never write a love song but I lied".
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In essence, this is a fairly mainstream country/folk record albeit with strong leanings to blue collar rock. It's all very earnest, and rooted in a genuine concern for questions of justice and equality.
It does, however, carry a burden in that one can't help feeling that worthy singer songwriters like this are essentially pissing into a very strong wind.
M.Lockwood Porter's website
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