James McMurtry - Childish Things

When someone with as much writing talent as McMurtry takes up his pen to speak out on the state of things today, you know it's going to carry a tremendous amount of weight, as well as passion. McMurtry delivers a brilliant new disc filled with compassionate, heartfelt lyrics and strong, deeply rich melodies, answering the question I've long been asking, "Where are today's voices of outrage?" Here they are.

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Last year, a 7-minute song titled "We Can't Make It Here," a powerful commentary on the state of the union, was available for download on McMurtry's website. McMurtry himself spoke on the subject, stating, "I've always been a little put off by activists. So you know it's a dire situation when I have to become one myself." The song became a top request on stations across the country, and it's presented here for the first time on CD. The song is stark and pulls no punches. It lays it all out on the line, the problems facing the common man today. As powerful as a Bob Dylan song, it's about time someone dared to say the things McMurtry says here. Although the rest of the album is not overtly political, you can't help but be polarized by this track as the pure centerpiece of the disc.

The disc features ten new original tracks and a few covers, including country standard "Ole Slew Foot," which McMurtry grinds out in his gritty style with Joe Ely on duet vocals. Balancing between the bitterness of the plight of today's common man and the wide-eyed innocence of childhood, "Childish Things" travels an emotional road, asking hard questions but never forgetting the absolute wonder of music. From the opening, "See the Elephant," to the almost heartbreaking closer, "Holiday," each track brings a strong visual memory.

McMurtry skirts the genres between country, folk, and rock; he delivers music at its barest. Its strength is the perfect mix of lyrical skill and incredible music.