When a new album comes out from someone I’ve never of and it’s on New West Records, I generally assume that it’s either A) incredible or B) absolutely essential.
Aaron Lee Tasjan’s sophomore album, Silver Tears, falls into the latter category.
Turns out, though, Tasjan isn’t exactly a new face on the scene. At just 30 years old, he’s already played in New York Dolls, Everest, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, and perhaps most notably, the glam sensations Semi Precious Weapons. Silver Tears, however, is an entirely different animal, showcasing Tasjan’s immeasurable talent with country-rock, thoughtful folk tunes, and honky tonk prowess.
“Hard Life” starts out with tales of smoking dope and living hard set to jumping keys and subtle horns, before the sharp turn into “Little Movies,” which is one of the best tunes in recent history with its lush, cinematic and sweeping beauty and orchestral feel. “Memphis Rain” then steers into country and isn’t far off from the work of Ryan Adams in the same genre – which, of course, is a very good thing. “Dime” is a rapid, pop-rock song, the most accessible here, and when Tasjan sings that he’s worth a million but barely has a dime, it’s convincing. Tasjan is especially great at antipodal sounds and styles, and while “Ready To Die” builds into a louder anthem, it then strategically moves into the soulful, darker moment of “Refugee Blues.”
The second half of the album is just as crucial, with the warm Americana of “Till The Town Goes Dark” and one of the best tracks included, the sparse, fragile ballad “On Your Side.” The fuller songs include the rock ‘n’ roll of “Success” and retro honky tonk of “Out Of My Mind,” before the aptly titled “Bar Blues,” which is largely spoken word set to smoky horns and a blues template.
Tasjan has dabbled in plenty of genres of music, but here he shines as a mammoth talent in songwriting that speaks to your soul and resonates with a quality that ties each and every one of us to the human experience. To put it much more simply: you need to hear this.
