Almost exactly a year ago, Lukas Nelson and his band, Promise of the Real, a 15-year-old collective, announced an indefinite hiatus to pursue different artistic endeavors. Now arrives Nelson’s first solo offering, American Romance, an album that looks to shift perspectives and recalibrate Nelson as a solo artist.
Nelson takes center stage as his understated yearning vocals and lyrics lead the way with mixed results. While most of the record moves Nelson into easy flowing, bordering on pop country, the best tracks are the quirky, folkish offerings.
Nelson is backed by a solid group of players throughout the album, featuring percussionists Matt Chamberlain and Chris Powell, bassist Corey McCormick, dobroist Marty Muse, guitarist Brian Whelan, fiddler Eleanor Whitmore, and pedal steel from Russ Pahl. There are also a few vocal guests who drop by to help him out while Shooter Jennings produces the record; however, for this release, the focus is entirely on Nelson.
The opening “Ain’t Done” is a good summation of American Romance as the easy rolling Americana feels natural before added strings almost sink things, while Nelson’s lyrics about God and ‘fighting on’ aren’t breaking new ground. Overall, the tune, like the record as a whole, is professional, pleasant, and nothing incredibly memorable. Other songs, such as the easy rolling folk with weepy pedal steel juxtaposed with upbeat strumming of “Outsmarted”, the jaunty country light rock of “Born Runnin’ Outta Time”, and the cinematic “Montana” all fit this same bill.
A few just don’t work, like the jumbled offering “The Lie” and the over the top cheese of “Make You Happy” but for the most part things are smooth and solid, like on the sure to be played at many future weddings “Pretty Much” which delivers a heartfelt love song. When guests arrive, it adds a touch of spice to the album’s sound. “Friend In The End” welcomes Sierra Ferrell, while “Disappearing Light” brings on Stephen Wilson Jr. for a successful dramatic duet dealing with death.
Nelson’s two best lyrical turns arrive at the end, with the title track capturing a modern crossroads well, while the closer, “You Were It,” is dynamite, delivering the stripped-down, memorable lyrical goods his father became famous for. A new era for Lukas Nelson begins on solid footing as American Romance employs familiar country and Americana sounds and phrases in a well-worn fashion.
