Something More Than Free
by Jason Isbell
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jan 14, 2016
    100
    Happily, the words are wonderful and Something More Than Free is an album that grows and grows on you. Producer Dave Cobb is in fine action again and gets the best from the settings behind Isbell's effecting voice. Some of the songs are simply splendid.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Jul 17, 2015
    100
    His latest sounds happier, and it’s still steeped in the Southern mythology that’s his forte.
  3. Country Weekly
    Jul 14, 2015
    100
    It may not be all pretty, but Something More Than Free is as real as it gets.
  5. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jul 14, 2015
    95
    Isbell isn't your average songwriter, and on Something More Than Free, there's a pretty strong argument to be made that he's outplaying anyone else in the game right now.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Jul 17, 2015
    91
    Isbell’s lyrics on Southeastern sharpened to a poignancy that he’d mostly hinted at before, and though Something More Than Free may not repeat Isbell’s album-of-the-year accolades, it continues the magic of that breakthrough LP.
  7. Boston Globe
    Jul 16, 2015
    90
    Quieter but equally captivating.
  8. Exclaim
    Jul 15, 2015
    90
    Still walking the high wire, with Something More Than Free, Jason Isbell continues his streak of genre-defining masterworks.
  9. Uncut
    Jul 7, 2015
    90
    Something More Than Free finds Isbell sounding surer of himself, as a songwriter and a man. [Aug 2015, p.79]
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  10. Austin Chronicle
    Aug 6, 2015
    89
    Something More Than Free offers further proof of Jason Isbell's preeminent acuity.
  11. Paste Magazine
    Jul 14, 2015
    86
    Isbell’s increasing skill as a storyteller, and the natural affinity he has for melody, combine to make Something More Than Free a masterful piece of work.
  12. Consequence
    Jul 7, 2015
    83
    Navigating between crestfallen country ballads and rollicking rockers, Something More Than Free showcases Isbell’s musical diversity without sacrificing a pinch of lyrical precision.
  13. Blurt Magazine
    Sep 14, 2015
    80
    Something More Than Free is like a novel set to music, each of its 11 songs a separate chapter that, when absorbed in full, leave you with the same kind of psychic shift a good book sets into motion.
  14. Billboard.com
    Jul 24, 2015
    80
    The achingly good Something More Than Free, captures the mix of excitement and fear that comes when the sun rises on a new day.
  15. AllMusic
    Jul 20, 2015
    80
    Southeastern was a triumph from a talented songwriter and vocalist who stepped up to a new level; Something More Than Free shows Jason Isbell knows he just got there, and is still making use of that hard-won knowledge--it confirms his status as a major artist.
  16. Rolling Stone
    Jul 17, 2015
    80
    This time around, he trades in that album's personal tales of crisis and redemption for a more nuanced, wide-angled form of storytelling, packed to bursting with evocative specifics.
  17. NOW Magazine
    Jul 16, 2015
    80
    A couple of songs, like How To Forget, are well written but not quite interesting enough musically. Still, this album proves that Isbell is still one of the best songwriters in his genre.
  18. The New York Times
    Jul 15, 2015
    80
    The best of them glow with bittersweet empathy.
  19. The Line of Best Fit
    Jul 14, 2015
    80
    This latest collection pairs Isbell’s keen ear for catchy melodies with fuller, bouncier arrangements and more optimistic subject matter. The result is a record spattered with songs capable of bridging the gap between “alt” and accessible.
  20. PopMatters
    Jul 13, 2015
    80
    What Something More Than Free does best is confirm that Isbell is a rare talent, one who doesn’t need a major life event to inspire him to make great music.
  21. American Songwriter
    Jul 10, 2015
    80
    Isbell revisits favorite themes with powerful results.
  22. Mojo
    Jul 7, 2015
    80
    Something More Than Free is as close as he's yet come [to a classic album]. [Aug 2015, p.92]
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  23. Under The Radar
    Jul 31, 2015
    75
    At once profoundly intimate and universally true, these songs of hardship, love, and dignity resonate with the man's soul.
  24. Spin
    Jul 17, 2015
    70
    Its stakes are a little lower, and he’s no longer revealing grand truths about life, but documenting once-dire realities from a rosier lens is still a worthwhile undertaking.
  25. Slant Magazine
    Jul 8, 2015
    70
    Isbell's follow-up, Something More Than Free, retains Southeastern's intimate acoustic-based feel and heavyhearted lyrical matter, but it's even more smooth-edged and lacks the emotional gut-punches of its predecessor.
  26. Pitchfork
    Jul 14, 2015
    58
    Isbell is obviously familiar with the music of the region, yet Something More Than Free sounds nondescript and--worse--placeless.

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2015
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
  1. logic
    Jul 19, 2015
    9
    JI comes through with another solid record. I've read Pitchfork's review and while I agree that there may have been an opportunity for IsbellJI comes through with another solid record. I've read Pitchfork's review and while I agree that there may have been an opportunity for Isbell to make some grand social statement, that's not what he does. He's a storyteller, and if you enjoy his previous tales of American life, you'll like this album. His voice sounds confident and the playing in top notch. My favorite track on this is "Speed Trap Town" although I wish it was longer. Hopefully they'll stretch out and jam a little when they play it live. This record is quiet and mellow. Isbell can write great rock and roll and I hope the next album rocks a little harder. Even so, this is my favorite release so far this year. Go buy it and support arguably the best songwriter out there at the moment.
    - Dave Tshudy    … Full Review »
  2. Roloo
    Jul 18, 2015
    10
    One of the best new Americana albums in recent memory. If you are a fan of roots music and classic song writing there will be plenty to loveOne of the best new Americana albums in recent memory. If you are a fan of roots music and classic song writing there will be plenty to love with this album.… Full Review »
  3. redaktor
    Aug 20, 2016
    10
    Jason Isbell solo (or with the 400 Unit) is far superior to his overrated former band, Drive-By Truckers. This is superb Americana songcraft:Jason Isbell solo (or with the 400 Unit) is far superior to his overrated former band, Drive-By Truckers. This is superb Americana songcraft: heartfelt, resonant lyrics together with deft melodies. And not a duff track in the bunch.… Full Review »
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