[rating=9.00]
By all indications, Aaron Lee Tasjan is a star to be reckoned with. His previous work — a debut EP called Crooked River Burning and last year’s full length debut, In the Blazes — were simply the set-ups for a new album that is clearly his crowning glory, one ground in tradition and yet still as clear-eyed and current sounding as anything else out there at the moment. Silver Tears may not bring him the explosive sudden success of, say, Chris Stapleton, but it is the kind of record that’s bound to get the pundits buzzing and the masses prepared to follow suit, Sharply defined and clearly confident, Tasjan’s time has come.
To be sure, Tasjan takes more than a few cues from classic rock forebears. The tangled intro of “Hard Life” emulates the swampy style of Creedence Clearwater Revival, while the rich resonance of “Memphis Rain” brings memories of Jesse Winchester singing for the ages. The tangled tones of “Dime” reflect a certain gravitas that only the most seasoned songwriters convey with credence. One gets the sense that Tasjan is a knowing old soul, well aware of his obligations to follow a certain well paved trajectory.
Ultimately it’s that stoic persona that anchors these songs, a certain timeless determination that makes this material sound stoic and well tempered. The dark clouds gather, but they don’t sink Tasjan’s spirit or suggest he’s anything but resourceful and resilient. Tasjan’s blend of mettle and muscle is remarkable; songs such as “Til the Town Goes Dark” and “Little Movies” give the material a timeless appeal accompanied by instant familiarity. Whether conveyed in the wail of “Success” or through the tenderness of “On Your Side,” the sound is as assured and suggestive as the titles themselves imply.
Granted, Tasjan is a total newcomer as far as most of the world is concerned. For all intents and purposes, that makes Silver Tears a bold new beginning. A luminous effort, it foretells a certain success.
