Country music has been in a stagnant state for quite sometime now. The genre used to capitalize on the simple inner workings of the human condition such as love and heartache, but now boasts the same obnoxious narcissism found in the lowest form of soulless pop. Tennessee Jet understands the superficial nature of the scene and made a conscious decision to take it back with his sophomore album Reata.
Tennessee Jet is a one-person alt-country act manned by Nashville’s TJ McFarland. Combining elements of Blues, Folk, and Country. The music he creates is best described as Jack White meeting Steve Earle.
McFarland has made a name for himself with his live show which is a direct extension of how he creates his music.
A fuzzed out guitar with one hand, a tambourine in the other, and one foot operating a makeshift kick drum. With his signature vocal chants and stomps, each song begs the audience to sing and stomp along. It forms a unique relationship between artist and audience.
Of course there’s no shortage of singer-songwriters in the Nashville area. Just about every other citizen has a demo they’re hoping to sell. What sets McFarland apart from some of his neighbors is his authenticity. His voice goes back and forth between being delicate and commanding much like the genre’s forefathers instead of today’s glorified pop acts.
Tennessee Jet’s second album Reata features less of the blues rock stomps that made the self-titled debut one of the most underrated albums of 2015. At it’s core Reata is simple country album. There’s plenty of songs about drinking, loneliness, and turbulent relationships like any traditional country collection but nothing comes off pretentious or eye-rolling.
Reata isn’t a throwback gimmick of nostalgia, it’s just a classic album by nature.
The opening track “So She Goes” showcases McFarland’s focus on the mechanics of classic Americana songwriting. It’s obvious he’s a student of Jim Lauderdale’s influence (who also lends backing vocals on “The Girl In Blue”). Everything is honest and realistic. The most lighthearted moment on the album comes in “Couldn’t Care less” a duet with fellow Nashvillian, Dani Flowers. Even then, Reata knows when and how to deliver the right amount of fun without sacrificing diligence.
The closing track is a heartbreaking rendition of Guy Clark’s “Desperado’s Waiting For A Train”. It brings the album’s theme of classic country full circle. The poignant story of coming to terms with one’s mortality is just as much haunting as it is inspiring. Offering a song with such emotional reflection could bring an entire album down. McFarland’s conviction completely owns every single track. He utilizes the relationship between audience and artist in ways mainstream artists generally fail.Nashville is home to many gifted artists, some I’ve yet to hear. Saying a particular scene is a complete waste of time is a little unfair. If Tennessee Jet is one the most interesting artist to tackle country music in recent years, Reata is easily one of the strongest country albums I’ve ever listened to.