Charley Crockett Keeps Country Legacy in Mind While Carving Its Future on ‘The Valley’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

Country music is the sound of hard-working, country-bound rejects trying to make ends meet. These rejects are misunderstood, but they’re good people. Struggling is part of their everyday life, yet their faith remains consistent. Their backgrounds are as varied as night and day, but there is one thing they all have in common, perseverance. 

Fast forward to 2019 and in walks Charley Crockett. Back in August, he released his fifth studio album, The Valley. Made up of autobiographical tunes, this album chronicles Crockett’s childhood in South Texas to singing the streets of NYC for tips. Earlier this year, when going in for a routine doctor’s appointment, Crockett was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition. He began this album after the fact and finished one week before his surgery. 

That’s quite the back story. 

The Valley opens with the aptly titled “Borrowed Time.” This track could easily fit into any barn dance with its rockabilly tones and killer fiddle. Followed by “The Valley,” this steady, honky-tonk, story song sets the tone for the entire album as Crockett’s warm vocals sing, “May your curse become a blessing.” 

Although this album is full of songs any proper barn dance would approve (“7 Come 11,” “9lb Hammer”); some of its greatest moments lie in the ballads. “10,000 Acres” is picture-perfect heartbreak complete with pedal steel teardrops and lyrics that sting. This track could have easily landed on a classic George Jones or Conway Twitty album. 

Moving down a few tracks, the listener approaches “Excuse Me,” another intense tale of love lost. From its opening pedal steel to a mournful fiddle, this track is so country it kills. The album closes with a cover of Bobby Bare’s “Motel Time Again.” Some blues guitar and honk-tonk piano stylings round out this album with both a sense of wonder and contentment. 

The most appealing aspect of The Valley is the homage it pays to country style past while staunchly remaining in 2019. Crockett proves that legacy will persevere, especially when you are looking at life in the face. Crockett’s album is a pure piece of American art that looks to the past while creating a hopeful future while making no apologies. 

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