Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses

Anyone would forgive Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses for a disappointing album at this point. Mescalito, their major label debut was exciting and intriguing, with its tales of wandering souls with guitars slung over their shoulder, truck-drivers and trains. Songs alternated between country flavored rock &roll and emotional folk ballads.

Then came Roadhouse Sun. This could well have been the dreaded “sophomore slump” album, but Bingham avoided that trap. While there as songs such as “Country Roads,” which are enjoyable enough, but somewhat cliche, there are also songs like “Dylan’s Hard Rain” and “Hey Hey Hurray” which are startlingly original with lyrics that are pointed social commentary.

So now comes Junky Star. It could have been a major disappointment and no one would have been surprised. But it’s not disappointing; It is unbridled brilliance. It’s the band’s best record to date!

It’s an album about hard times, told in narratives. This is what Bingham does best, gives us specific, evocative stories that set a mood and make you think. The sound is a little different from the last two albums, especially Roadhouse Sun. It’s starker, simpler, much of it acoustic. Ryan explains the feel they were going for in the video below.
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Some of these songs have been around for a while. Ryan’s been performing “The Poet” since before the release of Roadhouse Sun, but holding it for this album was a good choice. As the first song on the disc it sets the tone. It’s acoustic, celebrating the life of the wanderer and the power of language as the bearer of truth. It’s a beautiful track with some startling images.

There are a number of overtly political tracks such as “Direction in the Wind” which denounces social and political messages crafted by and for the media. There are songs that are just waiting to be played loud and amplified, like “Depression,” a song about getting through tough times on ones own terms with the person one chooses. If you’ve seen Ryan with his band recently, you may well have heard a much more rocking version of this song than what is on the album, but this restrained version is fantastic. “Hallelujah” is an interesting track about a guy who stops to speak to a guy he mistakenly thinks is a friend, gets shot and then reflects on his death.

The album is produced by legendary producer T Bone Burnett who also worked with Ryan on the Oscar Winning theme song “The Weary Kind” from the film Crazy Heart.

Junky Star is a brilliant album: Thematically consistent, well-written, well-performed and well-produced. I feel like I should prove my objectivity by being critical about something, but so far I’m just really impressed. Give me time, maybe I can come up with something.