Jeff Tweedy – “Love Is The King” (October 23, 2020)

Jeff Tweedy gives us warmth with his latest release “Love Is The King”.

By Steve Forrest

As I listen to this album, I can’t help but get the feeling that I’m somewhere in East Nashville on a warm summer night overhearing a backyard show where I find the audience sat in lawn chairs, bon fire alight, blankets on the ground, and everybody respectfully keeping quiet so as to hear each syllable and hang on every word of Tweedy’s repertoire as it flows effortlessly through him.

This album is warm, tender, rough around the edges, and completely unassuming. It sounds as if it might have been recorded in a living room with little to no budget and that’s one of the reasons, I enjoy it so much. The production is raw and honest, there’s limited flash amongst the musicianship, and doesn’t leave you wondering how many producers or studio players it took to get it right. It’s an album that was made for music’s sake and nothing more.

I would like to say that it’s simple (and in a lot of ways it is), but I can’t deny that it has a sincere depth to it that leaves you in total appreciation for Tweedy’s writing reminding you that there is loads of room for creativity in his scruffy atmosphere.

The title track “Love Is The King” sets this release up nicely and prepares you for the moody ride ahead, but as the second track “Opaline” enters the room you are soon assured that there is plenty of folk inspired levity to be had. The songs on this LP tell a wonderful story and all in all “Love Is The King” is a very easy listen and would be terrific for a long drive.

I’d recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a nice worn pair of jeans and a stroll in the sunshine.