ALBUM REVIEW - JAY BUCHANAN – WEAPONS OF BEAUTY

Sam Holt
4 days ago
3 min read

WORDS SAM HOLT

WEAPONS OF BEAUTY

JAY BUCHANAN

OUT 6TH FEBRUARY

Every so often you come across new music that makes a real impact, and this album was one of those. I was very impressed, and on so many levels.

Many people know Jay Buchanan as the frontman of the Grammy-nominated Californian rock band Rival Sons. However, in the beginning of last year, Jay decided to take the time to create his own album. Choosing to spend lonely time away from everyone in a windowless bunker in the Mojave Desert, he recorded a collection of nine songs and released the album Weapons of Beauty, which also included a well-known cover. Turning to long-time Rival Sons producer Dave Cobbs, the album was recorded with a lineup of Nashville musicians that included JD Simo and Leroy Powell on guitar, Brian Allen on bass, Chris Powell on drums, and Phillip Towns on keys. To quote Jay: "The album has a scenic quality of America I've seen over these decades of touring - this landscape of lonesome sunsets and big clouded skies."

Caroline, which was released as a teaser a few months ago, is a gripping opener that showcases Jay's vocal talents. It's a deep, introspective tune featuring some interesting guitar work. Meandering through the album, not only is it introspective, but there are questioning indications throughout True Black, with lyrics such, 'As I walk by the wicked and the righteous, whose path do I turn?' Adding a gospel flavour gives us a sense of vulnerability.

Tumbleweeds is one of my personal favourites because it sounds like a voyage. A wonderful sensation of a spiritual journey from Tennessee back to California is created by the slow brushes on a snare drum and guitar, which provide a true sense of motion and of being on that journey that gets lost along the way but keeps running. Deep Swimming is another track indicating once back there the wailing guitar and pounding drum and base capture the image of searching through a barrier to find peace. Dance Me to the end of Love is an upbeat Leonard Cohen cover that appears to crossover in the style of Van Morrison wasn’t something I was expecting, but slips well into the flow of the album

The album's title tune, Weapons of Beauty, was almost overlooked because Jay couldn't get it exactly the way he wanted it. I am aware that he worked with keys player Phillip Towns to tweak the slowed-down version on the album. The arrangement is superb, with the lyrics taking main stage and the piano crossover riff offering a lovely, practical backdrop.

From the contemplative Caroline to the stories of interstate travel in Tumbleweeds, the very personal title tune Weapons of Beauty, the gospel undertones in Turn Back and the cover of Dance Me to the End of Love, and more. The album contains some amazing songs that convey a genuine sense of vulnerability, sadness, and new insight.

The album's unique blend of Americana, roots, gospel, and blues makes it difficult to classify it into a single genre. The record will sound fantastic on vinyl, but it sounded fantastic when I first listened to it. Although I don't currently have a copy, I will keep an eye out for one to add to my collection.