Returning to the normal routine is nice. Although I’ll be the first to admit that when the creative juices hit you should stop what you’re doing and write, like I did last week for Matt & the Herdsmen, I much prefer it when there’s alcohol involved. Here I am, late night, back at it with a new brew and some different tunes. This week we’re sampling the edgy sound and lyrical mastery of Kody West, along side a nice, refreshing, Spotted Cow Ale from… Wisconsin?
That’s right, I’ve got a foreign beer this go round. It doesn’t quite fit the normal all-Texas requirement, but our next door neighbor brought some back from a trip over the weekend and was cool enough to share with a fellow beer lover like myself. I figured it’d be a cool plug to include the new beer in the next write up, so here we are. Spotted Cow is a product of New Glarus Brewing Co., which is located in a town of the same name, with a refreshing and slightly fruity taste. I’m a big fan of the can color scheme and imagery and genuinely hope I get to check their operation out for myself someday. I haven’t quite figured out why their slogan is “drink indigenous”, but I’m guessing it’s a play on support local.
This week I’m back in the home office and am listening to Kody West through my Bose Soundwave. Quality music deserves quality sound. If you’re a music lover and haven’t already, invest in some high quality headphones or speakers and take good care of them.
Kody West hails from the DFW area and made a name for himself playing open mic nights, entering songwriter competitions, and opening for local bands until he eventually ended up as tour manager while also playing on tour for Dalton Domino. I was pointed in Kody’s direction by a friend, who told me he couldn’t get on board with Koe Wetzel after his initial listen (he’ll grow on you), and ended up giving me a solid suggestion instead. Something sounded familiar about his voice as a first checked out the recent album titled “Green”, but I couldn’t quite put a finger on it. Until I came across the song “Ledges” when I realized I’d heard this track via a Texas Country playlist on Amazon music.
West has a voice that’s a mix somewhere between Wade Bowen and Luke Combs, with a little bit of rasp and soulfulness to it. While their band’s sound is closer to the Koe Wetzel sound, what I refer to as progressive Texas Country due to its tendency to have more of a rock & roll vibe. One thing that I’ve really enjoyed about his music so far is the fact that West is able to work some well known Christian quotes/phrases WITHOUT making the songs religious. It’s like an author who uses allusion subtly, you don’t really notice it because the overall theme or tune of the song doesn’t change but part of your mind picks up on the reference and takes you back to your days in Sunday school. My favorite example of this is in the second verse of “Ledges”;
“I take a little too much, without giving back. If blessed are the meek, then I’m cursed.”
This album has you covered from well written songs, to upbeat tunes, to more mellow tracks that slow it down. All put together by a band that does not sound like one playing on its first full length album. I’ve listened to “Green” countless times over the past few weeks and haven’t gotten tired of it yet.
Favorite 3 Tracks:
Ledges
Million Miles
For the Last Time
Kody and the band are finishing up a trek through Appalachian country this weekend and will be back in the Lone Star state for the foreseeable future, beginning with a show in College Station on June 19. Check out their tour dates to find out when they’re nearby. If you’re in the San Antonio area, plan on seeing them at Bluebonnet Palace on June 23! Last but not least pick up “Green” in stores, on itunes, or wherever else ASAP.
Questions or comments about “Green”, Kody West, or Texas music in general? Social media will get you a damn-near immediate response, so contact us on twitter or instagram @westboundsoul or leave a comment below.
