The Nashville Sound- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Graham Craycraft

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have delivered yet another album. The Nashville Sound debuted with four singles starting with Hope the High Road, Cumberland Gap, If We Were Vampires, and then White Man’s World. Starting strong with three gems Isbell seemed to be delivering an album that would far surpass his already two stellar records: Southeastern and Something More than Free. Even if the rest of the album turned out to be mediocre, The Nashville Sound would be another beast. But good news for us, the rest of it turned out to be another piece of art that we’ve all come to expect from Isbell. With other great songs like Tupelo, Anxiety, and Chaos and Clothes. Isbell provides lines and beats that prove again and again why he is one of the most profound writers out there. There were some major successes and a couple misfires on this album. Let’s start with the misses so we can end it on a good note.

White Man’s World. Isbell first released a great “political” song in Hope the High Road where he called people to stop complaining and take concrete steps towards making their life better (however they see that fit). But HHR didn’t get too political and was able to whet the appetite of his listeners for the rest of album to come. White Man’s World also has a gritty but crisp musical accompaniment. It may be the best piece of instrumental music on the album with its intense violin and steady drum beat. But the lyrics are so terribly vexing that it is hard to move past. I either listen to it begrudgingly or I somberly skip over it. I could dissect the entire song, but there are a few lyrics that crawl over my skin. “I think the men upstairs must’ve took a vacation.” This line is both confusing and meddlesome to the album. It is confusing because I doubt very much that Isbell believes God and the other men (whoever that may be) took a vacation. He has expressed his belief in God in songs such as Something More Than Free. This song also brings down the album due to its confusion and thoughts on Isbell’s moral character. This is my least favorite song Isbell has churned out in that brilliant mind of his. Luckily, this album had a more than redeeming song to fill all the cracks and doubt.

If We Were Vampires is the greatest song Isbell has put out to date. It may even be the best song he ever writes, but only time will tell. This song implements a mix of sex, love, grief, longing, and fear in the most beautiful way. It seems that every line in this song is its own gorgeous testament to true love. Let me use just the very best lines though. Of course the chorus sung in tear streaming unison with his wife Amanda Shires “It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever… one day I’ll be gone, and one day you’ll be gone.” But the two stanzas, and forgive me using the whole thing but its crucial, are impeccable.

If we were vampires and death was a joke

We’d go out on the sidewalk and smoke

And laugh at all the lovers and their plans

I wouldn’t feel the need to your hand

Maybe time running out is a gift

I’ll work hard till the end of my shift

And give you every second I can find

And hope it isn’t me who’s left behind

These two stanzas fill the listener with thoughts and emotions so hard to define here that I won’t try. But the genius behind these lyrics is the human side that makes the song so real. Isbell is thankful that they are not vampires, these immortal creatures that take time for granted because it means nothing to them. Isbell, being mortal, will use every second he can find to love and devote to his lover. He will hold her hand, and make plans together. At one point the line “hope it isn’t me who’s left behind” left me feeling confused. Usually a lover would never want the one he loves to be left behind devoid love. You bear the burden and sacrifice in order to leave the one you love happy. But Isbell is being so honest here. He cannot live without her and he is too afraid to be left behind. Even though it may seem selfish, it is so extraordinarily human that the song is brought back to the level of reality and instills in the listener a sense of fear and humanity as well as love.

This album is another wild success for Isbell and the 400 Unit. Thank you for what you do.