Justin Townes Earle: Midnight At The Movies (Bloodshot Records, 2009)

The facts were these. Justin Townes Earle is the son of Steve Earle and named after no other than the legendary Townes Van Zandt. These facts might open some doors, but it also might mean that he needs to prove himself to fools like me who wonder if it’s just the cool name that has given him the opportunity. Ok, I didn’t have any doubts concerning Midnight At The Movies, because he already did won me over with his previous album The Good Life that was a really good album with a couple of truly fantastic songs like Townes-influenced Lone Pine Hill. Midnight At The Movies is again a little improvement and Justin Townes Earle is well on his way to become one of the finest modern country troubadours. The Good Life had some fantastic moments, Midnight At The Movies is fantastic as a whole. The album is a very convincing and versatile effort. One great thing about him is that even though he is knee-deep in the traditional soil of american music, his music doesn’t sound dated at all. His classic country music has style and substance and from time to time he also gets closer to modern folk and americana. Midnight at The Movies is a really strong and refreshing album which covers variety of genres from jazzy nightclubs to old folk murder stories and from old-time country to beautiful americana ballads.  Well done.

Justin Townes Earle at myspace