Memorable opener paves the way for another high-class album from the formidable Mr Childers.
There are some albums that start in a rather low-key manner. Albums that worm their way surreptitiously into the subconscious after a few listens or grow in intensity and tempo as the album progresses. Or there is the Tyler Childers approach; hit them straight between the eyes from the off with a track that is big and loud and bold and brilliant. ‘Eatin’ Big Time’ opens Childers’ new album with a force and intensity that pins the ears back and immediately hits the shortlist for the newly conceived and, alas, wholly fictional, Opening Track of The Year award.
It is a statement opener for Childers’ seventh album, “Snipe Hunter”, and sets a very high bar for the rest of the record. Thus is the danger, in the manner of the middle-distance runner, of setting off too quickly and leaving nothing left towards the end. Clumsy analogy aside, Childers does a pretty good job of maintaining that high for a good chunk of the record with exceptional songs following one after the other for the first few tracks. The pace and volume may not always match that breathless opener, but when that country rock then veers towards more orthodox country twang with ‘Cuttin’ Teeth’ or the slower, acoustic ‘Oneida’ with its waltz-like fiddle accompaniment, the result is never less than memorable.
The highs continue; ‘Getting To The Bottom’ is a mid-tempo quality slice of country, while ‘Nose On The Grindstone’ is very much a one-man virtuoso showcasing Tyler’s vocal range as well as reinforcing his reputation as a great wordsmith. Those glorious first half dozen tracks are made complete by the lyrically unsubtle ‘Bitin’ List’. “To put it plain, I just don’t like you, I never really have, and I never really did. And if there ever come a time I got rabies, you’re high on my bitin’ list.”
With thirteen tracks on the album, it seems harsh to suggest that a slight drop off in the second half of the record may not be a surprise, but that is only in relation to what has gone before. The energy never falters for a moment and, in ‘Down Under’, Childers’ thoughts on Oz are laid bare as he again demonstrates his ability to weave clever and droll lyrics into his songs. “Down under is forever and a day. Koala bears get livid when they don’t eat eucalyptus, most of them carry syphilis, or chlamydia, what’s the difference? All I know is I don’t want no koala cuddlin’ up to me.”
Winner of AMA Emerging Artist of the Year in 2018 and with a number of Grammy nominations already behind him, Childers is already firmly established. “Snipe Hunter” can do nothing but enhance that already formidable reputation and will surely garner further nominations come the new awards season.
