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SOMETIMES Y
Sometimes Y
Slumerican

L.I.B. and sometimes y. L.I.B. being an old timey joke that translates to "well I'll be" and for those that aren't too far removed from primary school, sometimes y, was always the exception to the seemingly stringent (and equally befuddling) spelling rules. How does this pertain to Shooter Jennings and Yelawolf, a mashup of creativity that from across the street would be as confusing and complex as a Rubik's cube and at first, second and third glance shouldn't math, right? Well absolutely, positively and resoundingly, NO. This pairing, as we will soon find out, is as perfect as chocolate and peanut butter, cold pizza and warm beer, HALL & OATES or country, pop, synth wave and hip hop. Simply put,the exception to the rule, the statement that tosses logic to the wind, SOMETIMES Y.

Some may and well should be, if your musical blinders are open wide, familiar with Shooter Jennings, not only as an accomplished country artist, he who in fact put the "o" right back in "c untry", but at a minimum his famous folks. Similarly, Yelawolf is an artist, sure primarily a hip hop/rap artist that is/has, not so silently, placed himself in some elite company, with a slew of well received releases and millions upon hundreds of million views, followers and countless accolades on the interwebs.

And here we find ourselves, after what Shooter explains as a couple year wait driven by pandemic pauses and delays for the long awaited debut self-titled album of SOMETIMES Y.

The album begins with keyboard driven countdown, something straight out of an old Transformers cartoon blended with the THIN WHITE DUKE's masterpiece "Major Tom" that then goes full throttle with an all to funkified Bruno Mars/Lenny Kravitz infused 70's jam rock song that is not only down right amazing, but certainly lives up to its title track status, "Sometimes Y". The Barry White breakdown is something to hear and immediately has the listener wondering what they've gotten into, but grateful for the invitation. "Hole In My Head" juxtapositions to an acoustic guitar intro'd, keyboard driven, The Hooters meets Bryan Adams affair, tailor made for AOR radio. The chorus is perfection and the songs crafting is made apparent when the band includes the chant of "go left, right, left", in the outtro, a not subtle but well played addition. "Rock & Roll Baby" eases in nicely with surreal drumming, bass run and a picking guitar that could easily nuzzle up to a CURE record, before we are left with said drums and that bass line paired with Yelawolf's crooning vocals, of which we are slowly learning that he is a bloody chameleon of vocal proficiencies. The chorus settles into a period perfect 80's Don Henley-esque "Boys Of Summer" vibe. This song has a really nice guitar solo provide by John Schreffler and the production is spot on. We then kick up the tempo with "Make Me A Believer", a song that could easily have been performed by Eddie Rabbit and equally could have been heard running in the background of Caddyshack, Footloose or Top Gun. Awesomely crafted, played and definitely a favorite. "Shoe String" slows down a bit, carrying an underlying similarity to PINK FLOYD's "Is There Anybody Out There" and THE VELVET UNDEGROUND's "Wild Side" with Yelawolf's almost spoken word rap that makes one wonder if this could be a Tom Waits cover. It's not but the song is that layered and just that great. One can only assume the process that was undertaken by Shooter and Yelawolf in crafting this gem. "Radio" gets back after it, carrying that synth pop/new wave theme, a song that showcases the artistry of SOMETIMES Y, the downright brilliance of this duo. "Radio" is another that should be all over said radio and a must for fans of THE CARS and the like.

"Jump Out The Window" blasts us right back into that Bryan Adams, THE ALARM, THE HOOTERS-fueled uptempo radio friendly anthems that were all over the airwaves in the 80's and this one would have been a huge "Cassingle", bought by everyone at the local Tower Records. Equally, "Jump Out The Window" would have been all over MTV and blasting out the open windows of everyone's cars on any given sunny day. This one is as period perfect (or just plain perfect) as a pop song can be. "Catch You On The Otherside" is a beautiful piano ballad, sung to absolute perfection. Goodness gracious what a song and I would not be surprised if this didn't get snatched up by any current pop idol or mega star to be covered. I'd dare to say we could hear this one on The Voice, yep it's really a great song that should transcend time. If you listen closely you'll catch the nod to "Dear Prudence". "Fucked Up Day" begins with a Tim Burton/Danny Elfman meets Marylin Manson meets Dr Dre music box intro and drops into an acoustic guitar driven mid tempo yet real surreal verse that finds its way back to the intro on its chorus. The "Freebird" inspired guitar solo is befiting to the no holds barred stylistic influences thus far and Yelawolf's Roger Waters-like vocals that layer this solo and take the song to its close work to well and again makes one wonder how these 2 haven't imploded with their perplexing creativity. "Moonshiner's Run" closes the record with an up tempo rocker showcasing Yelawolf's hard rock vocal stylings and includes a couple soundbites in the opener and midpoint (pre solo) that fit real well and only goes to show the myriad of influences Shooter and Yelawolf have coursing through their collective conscious. The solo on this one shreds and as I contiune to ruminate, this one certainly reminds me of something Travis Shredd and The Good Ole Homeboys could have/should have cooked up.

In closing this record is damn good, borderlining on great. Shooter and Yelawolf have created a near masterpiece that has more influences and nods to old, new, borrowed, and blue than should be allowed, yet the myriad of influences and musical stylings work quite well. I have to wonder what SOMETIMES Y album #2 might be like, fingers crossed they collaborate again as Yealwolf's voice along with Shooter's prowess needs to be continued. Of note, I must say as a Butch Walker fanboy (for those unfamiliar please make it your goal to change that), Shooter and Yelawolf are right there in his (imho) elite company as songwriters (songcraftsman), musicians, producers and musical aficianados. Well done fellas, consider me floored, a fan and quite anxious for what's next.

5.0 Out Of 5.0

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