Will Johnson – Scorpion

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Will Johnson is one of the most active musicians in the state of Texas, and, well, out of it too; he’s the main man for Centro-matic and he played drums on tour for Monsters of Folk.  But, I’ve always had an affinity for his solo work, ever since I first put on Vulture’s Await.  On Scorpion, his new solo record, we’re once again treated to an intimate affair, one that’s ultimately heartfelt and captivating.

If you’re not accustomed to Will Johnson‘s music, then you might be taken aback a bit at first when you press play to hear the first track, “You Will Be Here, Mine.”  True, it’s a pained rasp, but the more you listen, the more it becomes one of the most endearing voices you’ll hear.  This particular track has Will crooning as a very down-trodden percussive element backs his careful guitar picking.  You’re not going to feel uplifted here, but you’ll find personal solace in this tune.  Oh, and the semi-eruptive closing is quite beautiful. Similarly, “Bloodkin Push (Forget the Ones) takes a down turn in tempo, with Johnson’s voice clearly remaining the key instrument in the track; there’s also a faint backing vocal that truly helps deepen the mood.

I kept looking for a remake of “Vultures Await,” though admittedly that’s not fair to expect from an entirely different collection of songs, especially when the songwriter seems to put so much of his person in his songs.  There are a few tracks that near the perfection of the aforementioned number such as “Blackest Sparrow/Darkest Night” and “Truss of Ten.”  The former features a calm delivery, which reveals the faintest hint of Will’s natural vocal melody; this is the voice that has affected me for so long.  On the latter of the two tunes, there’s barely any instrumentation, aside from muted guitar strokes that eventually make way for some light picking.  However, this song is all about the vocal performance, with Will again joined by a counterpart with a softer side, contrasting his harder edge.

By and large, Scorpion is much quieter than the last full-length project.  Where the past efforts saw his voice attempting to soar, Will seems much more alone here.  You can’t help but be drawn in by a track “Scorpion,” even though there’s not much to the track itself.  A bit of far off tinkling piano, some backing vocals and gentle strummed guitar are all that exist to show us that Johnson’s not entirely alone out there.  This is about as personal an experience as a listener can get nowadays, as if he’s writing these tracks in the back of your house while you sit outside the door.

This listening experience is quite different than where I feel like I expected it to go after fawning over Will Johnson‘s previous works, both with band and without.  While I appreciate a more musical approach, I think Scorpion succeeds in being the exact opposite.  It’s a record you want with you while you’re alone, giving you the feeling like you have someone with whom you can share your solitude.  There’s no way you can listen through this whole record without having a huge emotional reaction, and I’m always thankful Will can provide us with that.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/01-You-Will-Be-Here-Mine.mp3]

Download:Will Johnson – You Will Be Here, Mine [MP3]

 

Powerful Ballad From Will Johnson

A quick search for his name on this site and you’ll surely see that ATH has been a supporter of Will Johnson since we first began talking about music.  His music has always been underappreciated in my opinion, and he somehow always seems to be just on the cusp of blowing up, but then never does.  He’s one of the best kept secrets in the songwriting world.  This year, Will is planning to release another solo album entitled Scorpion which is due out September 11th.  To preview the album, Will has offered up this new track “You Will Be Here, Mine” as a free download to his fans.  The song features the typical beauty we’ve come to expect from Mr. Johnson with its subdued songwriting technique yet more powerful after ever listen.  Carry on sir.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/01-You-Will-Be-Here-Mine.mp3]

Download: Will Johnson – You Will Be Here, Mine [MP3]

Show Preview: Craig Finn @ Frank (12/10)

Date 12/10/11
Location Frank
Doors 900p
Tickets $12 @ Ticketfly

Legendary Hold Steady front man Craig Finn is pulling into town at Frank on Saturday night.  Fellow veteran songwriter Will Johnson will be performing with Finn and I would anticipate at least one or two duets before the night is over.  I doubt you’ll find a better songwriter showcase on any bill in town.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/01-Stuck-Between-Stations-1.mp3]

Download: The Hold Steady – Stuck Between Stations [MP3]

Centro-matic – Candidate Waltz

Rating: ★★★★☆

For close to two decades, Will Johnson has been all over the map, crafting songs under his own name, with various co-writers, and of course, with Centro-matic.  For the most part, his music has always had a sort of country-shade to it, and his voice has always made it heart-wrenching, no matter the lyrical content.  But, on Candidate Waltz, there’s more of an uplifting construction to the songs, giving you an album that could be considered his most widely accessible work to date.

You can easily discern that there’s going to be a sharper, polished sound on Candidate Waltz the minute “Against the Line” drops in with it’s sharp guitar chords.  Of course, the fragility in Johnson’s voice remains, creating an interesting juxtaposition that allows the song to be absorbed by your soul on multiple levels.  Jagged guitar lines cut through the following track, “All the Talkers,” with the group sounding a bit like a more rocking version of Lucero, but the interesting aspect of this song comes in near the final two minutes.  The track switches from a gritty rocker into this carefully crafted pop lullaby ending, created by the melodious backing vocals; this is perhaps one of the brightest moments on the record.

If you’re looking for that classic Centro-matic sound, with Johnson’s voice pulling at your gut strings, you’ll find that those songs, too, live within the confines of this latest effort.  “Estimate x 3” relies upon a time-keeping drum beat, quiet guitar lines, and Will.  The gruff quality of his voice always makes him seem so vulnerable, and that has consistently made his tracks seem tragic, yet towards the end of this number, as he repeats “give me what you want/don’t tell me” you can sense a softer side emerging in his work.

It’s going to be difficult to find something that allows you to disregard Candidate Waltz.  There’s sweeping melodies, great song arrangements, and really, there aren’t any misstep songs.  “Only in My Double Mind” has a banging piano and drum to start it off, while Johnson’s vocals do a great job carrying the melody throughout, giving you a short glimpse at just how powerful his voice can be, even when the music doesn’t appear to be the most innovative.  There’s a gentleness to the way he croons “ooh ooh,” providing those mono-syllabic moments with bits of depth you typically don’t see.  And the record finishes off with much the same fashion as it begins, bringing a warm rocker to your ears by the name of “If They Talk You Down.”  It shouldn’t cease to amaze you how emotionally charged Will’s vocals come across, even when he’s just using his voice as an instrument.  Personally, the gentle strings in the background make this track another standout.

There’s not a bad thing to say about Candidate Waltz, no matter how many times you listen to it, unless of course, you wanted more songs.  But, the brevity of the experience, combined with Will Johnson’s powerful voice provides listeners with more than enough to swoon over, just before Centro-matic wraps it all up.  The best thing is that as soon as it ends, you’ll want to start if all over again. And again.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/05.-Only-In-My-Double-Mind.mp3]

Download: Centro-matic – Only In My Double Mind [MP3]

New Music From Centro-matic (Premiere!)

So right after we dropped a brand new song from Will Johnson a couple days ago, we receive this new track from Will’s veteran indie act Centro-matic.  This song “Only In My Double Mind” is the first single from the band’s upcoming new album Candidate Waltz due out June 21st.  While you’re at it, check out the accompanying video for the song featuring painter Will, some flying pizza, and chickens.  It’s really hard to believe that a band with talent such as this still manages to somehow fly under the radar in the music scene.  On that note, you can also stream a huge selection of Centro-matic’s music on their website if you’re new to the band.

*Update: For the time being, we can only offer you a stream of the song but can direct you to the Centro-matic website for a download.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/05.-Only-In-My-Double-Mind.mp3]

New Music From Will Johnson

So we here at ATH love us some Will Johnson and always pay attention to the guy when he drops some new music our way.  This new number “Tangle for the Less” appears on a brand new EP entitled Little Raider that is currently available now while he is on tour or from the Undertow Music store.  The new joint was recorded over a two day period right here in Austin with our favorite producer Jim Eno.  You can also catch Will on tour with his long time band Centro-matic this summer with a stop in Austin at The Ghost Room in July.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/05-Tangle-For-The-Less.mp3]

Download: Will Johnson – Tangle For The Less [MP3]

Show Preview: Will Johnson @ Catcus Cafe (12/4)

Date Saturday, Dec. 4th
Location Cactus Cafe
Doors 830 PM
Tickets $10 at Door

We’re definitely glad to know that Cactus Cafe will still be around for some time, as they continue to bring us little treats, like Saturday’s show, featuring none other than Will Johnson. Dude wrote great songs for Centro-matic and his own solo-stuff, a bit with Jason Molina, not to mention playing drums for Monsters of Folk for a bit, at least on tour. Us guys here? We love him, everything he does. You can guarantee we’ll be there. You can also catch Some Say Leland opening up.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/will-johnson-closing-down-my-house.mp3]

Download: Will Johnson – Closing Down My House [MP3]

Will Johnson @ Ghost Room (8/12)

Date 8/12/10
Location Ghost Room
Doors 9pm
Tickets $8 @ Door

The great Will Johnson is making another stop in town without his band Centro-matic at the Ghost Room on Thursday night.  Joining the highly under appreciated musician is Austin Collins.  Go check this out if you haven’t seen Will do some of his stuff solo.  It’s truly great.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/will-johnson-closing-down-my-house.mp3]

Download: Will Johnson – Closing Down My House [MP3]

Will Johnson Live On Woxy

willjohnson2Long time ATH favorite Will Johnson had his session with the Woxy crew posted on their blog site a couple days ago.  Mr. Johnson plays 4 songs, including this gem “Almost Let You In” from his 2009 effort with Jason Molina.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, this guy has one of the best and most unique voices in the business today.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/will_johnson-almost_let_you_in.mp3]

Download: Will Johnson – Almost Let You In (live) [MP3]

Gibbard & Farrar @ Antone’s (1/27)

gibbardfarrar

Date 1/27/10
Location Antones
Doors 8pm
Tickets Sold Out

The super duo of Death Cab for Cutie front man Ben Gibbard and Son Volt leading man Jay Farrar are stopping into town at Antone’s on Wednesday.  The recently formed group are touring in support of their Big Sur inspired colaborative project.  One of our favorite songwriters Will Johnson will also be on hand to open things up.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Ben+Gibbard+and+Jay+Farrar+-+California+Zephyr.mp3]

Download: Ben Gibbard & Jay Farrar – California Zephyr [MP3]

1 2 3 4 5
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com