Americana Album Review: Nick Taylor’s *Not Alone*

The production quality on Nick Taylor‘s new album Not Alone stands out right away on the opening track “Dogs.” It’s got that perfect blend of rock and country elements that situates itself right in the Americana scene of the 21st century. Fans of outfits like Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are going to want to pay attention to this solid new Americana album.

Everything from the guitars to the vocals on “Dogs” show a seasoned sound with top tier players on the track. The expressive vocal has carefully written lyrics that roll from idea to idea like a Drive-By Truckers style of 20th century Americana. The soaring classic organ work on the song gives it a dripping southern rock flavor that sets the tone for much of the album’s charm.

“Futures Past” starts with a narrative folk sound that is right in the wheelhouse of EarToTheGround’s typical coverage, so I was eager to lean in on this one. The imagery has a Kristofferson style to it, mixing commonplace experiences with an introspective sincerity. The approachability is the key on this one. Let me just pause here and talk about one line in particular. “We spent half that summer lightin’ candles for another time and prayin’ for the lights to come back on.” Wow. What a line. It’s a song about being stubborn young people with a lot of dreams for the future. It’s downright almost gospel in the way it delivers the truth.

“Dead Land Future” has an excellent fiddle part that makes it feel both timeless and new at the same time. The energy of the recording has an almost Colter Wall-like style to it, with a gruff storytelling perspective. It’s a quintessential Americana sound that helps to show off the sheer versatility of Taylor’s vocal chops. The writing is no less deep and meaningful as the other songs on the album, also. It’s a song about survival and it really resonates.

The following “Getting Along” is a song about death and it works. It’s about a love that is patient and kind despite the challenges of a man’s passing. I’ve never heard a song that captures such a tender, difficult moment with such grace. It’s hard to put into words these types of deeply human experiences, but Taylor captures this one beautifully. I don’t like to throw around Isbell comparisons too readily, but this one definitely has an Isbell sensibility to it.

“Kentucky Girl” and “Heart on the Run” both have a bit of a moving storytelling style. The sound builds on classic country music and a narrative driven style. The full production style on “Heart on the Run” really suits the 21st century Americana movement well. The line, “I got a 20 year history of feelin’ like a fool.” Amen to that. These tracks fit Taylor’s overall sound well.

The final track on the album “Songs About the Glory” really speaks to me. There’s an openness in the mix on the acoustic guitar that makes it resonate differently than other tracks on the album. It’s a song ultimately about the desire to get out and see the world. Like other classic tunes about wanderlust, it’s about “finding hope when there is none.” It’s about the vapid pursuit of glory instead of being rooted in truth. It’s a beautiful almost church-like anthem about finding your way, embracing home, and not getting too caught up in the pursuit of glory.

It’s an interesting album from Nick Taylor that tells a range of different stories, some rooted and some about the wandering life. The main vibe of the album is, as I’ve noted, 21st century Americana. I love that there are themes from early country music blended with the sincerity of a seeker and traveler in the contemporary world. It feels like a modern production update to the types of emotionally driven songs that classics like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings were singing. Frankly, it’s refreshing to know that there are still people writing music like this. It’s nice to know you “got friends around to help carry you home.”