Chris Stapleton - Traveller - 2015

February 28, 2021  /  Jill Herb

Okay my original post got deleted and I’m really annoyed about it. Need to remember what I wrote.

first country album

I think this was the first modern country album I actually went out of my way to listen to fully, and intently.

I’ve never really exposed myself to country music, just the pop stuff that comes across the radio every now and then. I have this one playlist on Spotify called “tolerable” country music so maybe that’ll explain a bit more. Tennessee Whiskey is my favorite songs on that playlist so I had to hear what the rest of the album had to offer.

Overall, this was exactly what I’d expect from a country album, but in a really good surprising way. A great mix of alcohol, heartbreak, falling in love, risk taking and the effort of life. Lots of beauty in the simplicity.

My biggest love was his voice. He really knows how to sing and knows exactly what notes flatter his voice. I wish I could swim in the waves of every riff he sang. They were so smooth and effortless, it is so beautiful.

The raspiness in his voice was so beautifully exemplified in Whiskey and You and I loved how it was such a harsh part of such a sweet, soft song with the guitar.

Fire Away had me think of an orchard I went to last fall in upstate NY. It had picnic tables out on a meadow by the bar, string lights outlining the seating area and mini bonfires separating the tables by party. I imagined this song playing in the background, and a couple getting up to slow dance in the corner. That’s kind of how I epitomize country love songs: a couple just enjoying the sweet simple pleasures of life and each other.

I really loved the intro and guitar to Parachute. Gave me a little taste of bluegrass.

Again, this album was exactly what I expected. There were few songs that blended together and sounded too similar to me, but that’s okay. I like knowing what to expect sometimes, when I’m in the mood for something calming and inherently enjoyable. This album definitely accomplishes that. Looking forward to relistening and diving into his newer albums.