Southeastern - Jason Isbell
Southeastern Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Produced by David Cobb, the latest solo release for former Drive-By Truckers guitarist includes guest appearances by Kim Richey and his wife, Amanda Shires.
  • Record Label: Relativity
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative Country-Rock, Roots Rock, Southern Rock
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Blurt Magazine
    Jun 13, 2013
    100
    Listening to this stunning album will provide you with your own moment of clarity. Don’t let it slip away.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Jun 11, 2013
    91
    For the most part Southeastern is pretty serious business. Then again, so is life and the one that Isbell has lived thus far is certainly worth documenting, especially when the songs supporting it are this stunning.
  3. PopMatters
    Jun 19, 2013
    90
    It’s a poignant, reflective, and very often frank portrayal of humanity’s dual impulses authored by someone who has lived several chapters, yet knows the story is constantly being rewritten.
  4. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 4, 2013
    80
    Southeastern finds him working in a more stripped-down manner which focuses attention firmly on his songs. Fortunately, they're brilliant: vivid, multi-faceted tales of souls adrift.
  5. Mojo
    Oct 16, 2013
    80
    What makes the album itself addictive is Isbell's fusing of gothic Memphis blues and Nashville tenderness. [Nov 2013, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 8, 2013
    80
    The result of his efforts is a celebration of the strength of his character and like his personal journey, Southeastern is story full of meaning and it commands the listener’s full attention.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Jun 18, 2013
    70
    Here, he mostly dials back the volume to plumb heavy emotions.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. logic
    Aug 23, 2013
    10
    Excellent front to back. There's not a weak song on this record. Finally Jason gives us a glimpse inside rather than just telling stories. This is well into my top 10 list for this year.… Expand
  2. Migs
    Jul 10, 2013
    9
    Great song writing, great guitar playing, terrific voice. Really worth a listen. If his name isn't familiar, you might be familiar with his work with the Drive-By Truckers.… Expand
  3. BigD76
    Jun 28, 2013
    9
    I started paying more attention to Jason Isbell after seeing him supporting Ryan Adams in New Zealand. Honestly, this is a fantastic album for its entire 47 minutes and 19 seconds. The songs are beautifully crafted and filled with brilliant and honest lyrics. Songs like Cover me up", "Elephant", "New South Wales" and "relatively easy" are standouts for me, but this is an album that needs to played right through the way albums are intended (or at least were). The characters and observations in the songs are set to great musical arrangements and Jason's voice has never sounded better. Excellent Album.… Expand
  4. uofmusic
    Jul 14, 2013
    9
    On his new album “Southeastern” singer/songwriter Jason Isbell looks “through the fires and the farmers diggin’ dusty fields alone and offersd offers a wonderfully constructed, highly personal collection of songs that chronicle his battle with alcohol addiction and the new life he is striving to adjust to. Isbell is a songwriter cut out of a Ryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen cloth with strong leanings towards his Alabama roots. While with the Drive By Truckers he admittedly drank himself into oblivion during every live performance. After parting ways with the band in 2007, and ending his marriage with bassist Shonna Tucker, he began a solo career and released 3 albums. A friendship with fellow musician Ryan Adams, his marriage to singer/violinist Amanda Shires and a commitment to rehab all laid the groundwork for the feelings and ideas expressed on Southeastern. Perhaps his battle over addiction unearthed a mighty store of creative energy because this is the finest album Jason Isbell has ever made. The songs are confessional “There’s a man who walks beside me. It is who I used to be and I wonder if she sees him and confuses him with me.” without ever becoming maudlin. There is also an unflattering authenticity about them that give them greater allure. “Elephant” is a poignant recounting of a relationship with a woman dying from cancer which concludes with Isbell surmising There’s one thing that’s real clear to me, no one dies with dignity. 
We just try to ignore the elephant somehow.” That being said one elephant of an album we definitely should not ignore is “Southeastern” by Jason Isbell.… Expand
  5. LazarusGravity
    Aug 16, 2013
    9
    Hard to imagine hearing a more powerful song than Elephant this year or any other for that matter. A quite stunning performance of it can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClugMhMbrRg… Expand
  6. TheDaveHimself
    Jun 11, 2013
    9
    His most well rounded album to date. Masterful songwriting. Songs like "Cover Me Up" and "Live Oak" and "Elephant" will stick with you for days. Great album for hitting the road.… Expand
  7. BKM
    Jun 12, 2013
    8
    Isbell's latest effort is his most personal work to date and features his most consistently excellent songwriting. His smoky, broken voice is perfect for these tales of heartache, loss and loneliness; especially Elephant which may be one of the most shattering narratives he's ever composed.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
96 Sound System [Box Set]
96 The Warner Bros. Years [Box Set]
92 Sunbather
91 Higher! [Box Set]
91 Master
89 Is Survived By
89 Loud City Song
89 Silver Bell
88 In Utero [20th Anniversary Edition]
88 Your Turn
88 The RCA Albums Collection
87 Southeastern
87 All Hail West Texas [Reissued]
87 Random Access Memories
87 The Blackest Beautiful
87 Annie Up
87 American Ride
87 Innocence is Kinky
87 The Island Years [Box Set]
86 Made in California [Box Set]
All Current Music »