Grayson Capps’s Heartbreak Misery and Death showcases a deeply personal and reflective side of Americana, offering a selection of haunting covers that span both the traditional and the contemporary. Hailing from Alabama, Capps has long been drawn to the melancholic themes that run through folk and country music, a passion rooted in his youth spent with his father and his father’s friends, singing these sorrowful songs. While the album’s title might evoke a sense of doom, Capps’s storytelling turns these tragic tunes into something cathartic, even uplifting in their shared sorrow.
This seventh release in Capps’s solo career is a covers album that merges old-time American ballads with more recent classic songs. It opens a window into a rich history of folk, blues, and country, tracing roots back to the early 1960s folk revival and even to traditional British and Appalachian music. Capps’s voice, warm and full of expression, is the centerpiece here, often accompanied by Corky Hughes on electric guitar, bass, and piano. The simplicity of the arrangements, at times just Capps and his guitar, heightens the sense of intimacy and loneliness, as if he’s singing directly to the listener from a quiet corner of the world.
Among the album’s many highlights are his renditions of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Randy Newman classics, each one infused with Capps’s unique narrative style. Tracks like “Stoney” by Jerry Jeff Walker and “Early Morning Rain” by Gordon Lightfoot evoke the kind of poetic sorrow that has always drawn Capps to the dark side of folk music. His take on Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is heartfelt, though it feels somewhat overshadowed by the song’s overexposure in recent years. More compelling are the lesser-known gems, like “Old Maid’s Lament” and “Copper Kettle,” which Capps revitalizes with fresh emotion and clarity, making them feel new again.
What stands out most in Heartbreak Misery and Death is Capps’s ability to make these age-old tales feel personal, even if he’s not the one living the heartbreak or misery. His voice brings these songs to life, telling stories with a combination of authenticity and careful annunciation, making sure the listener feels every word. The album feels both timeless and intimately tied to Capps’s own history, proving that these sad songs, while they speak of pain, can also offer comfort and connection. – Jason Felton