Tulsa, Oklahoma based multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter and Hard Working Americans member Jesse Aycock follows up his 2015 Flowers and Wounds release with a polished self-titled set of 13 tracks featuring endearing country vibes, a touch of melancholia, and a bit of gritty rock ‘n’ roll all tinged with modest self-reflection. Aycock was joined by fellow Tulsa musicians: Irish singer/songwriter Paddy Ryan, bassist Aaron Boehler (John Moreland, Burn Halo), pianist singer/songwriter John Fullbright, multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Jason Crosby (Assembly of Dust, Robert Randolph and the Family Band), singer/songwriter Laura Barth, singer/songwriter Allison Moorer, and Jason Weinheimer (The Libras) who also co-produced and engineered the collection at his studio in Arkansas. Despite all the guests performers, Aycock still played many of the instruments and arranged most of the music himself. Standout tracks include: the lively country-rock opener “Shed the Light”; the somber country-tinged “Sadder Than a Sunset”; the melancholic John Lennon vibed “Passing Days”; the catchy Tom Petty-esque rocker “High Hopes”; the hazy number “I`m a Wreck”; the mellow loping “Under the Gun”; and the ethereal closing track “Woodland Park.” Jesse Aycock’s third album is filled with charming alt-country tunes with a bit of melancholy and gritty rockers; it is a summer must-have. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Neal Casal, Hard Working Americans, Pilgram, Chris Robinson, Todd Snider,