James David Wolf's Trazodreams Have Become A Reality



It's here folks! James David Wolf's follow-up release - Trazodreams - is equal parts beauty and provocation. Fans of James David Wolf's debut Special will instantly recognize and appreciate his observations and his ability to articulate them with keen wit and romantic honesty. In addition to this release, below is the first video from Trazodreams for the song entitled "Tricks I Play On Myself".



Here's an incredible review of Trazodreams by Jack Sundrud (Poco)

"At first, I thought I was listening to a collection of well crafted pop songs - which I was. But then, I started to get an inkling that perhaps Wolf was actually saying something. Then I began to focus on the lyrics. Unlike most pop music these days, when you scratch the surface of these songs - you'll find something other than more surface.

On the opening track, "Everyone's A Rock Star," we see a slice of the American-Idol-X-Factor-The-Voice-America's-Got-Talent generation that puts us all just an audition away from riches and happiness ("at the Stop-and-Rob, Ahkbar talks about his band"). Cut two, "Trust Fund Baby" is the other side of that same shiny coin-in-the-sky. Over a catchy pop background, Wolf sings, "I hate my job on the assembly line / wish I'd been born a trust fund baby". It's a wry take on the everyman anthem. The days of the 'poor but honest' hard worker breaking his back to support his family are no longer seen as a worthy pursuit. All or nothing are the only choices. It's like Springsteen in Bizarro World.

Another emotional well that is deftly tapped on this collection is sweet love songs. "Moments Like These" (“when money's worth less than sweet memories / moments like these will make a wealthy man of me..”) and "What Were The Odds" ("gypsy … sees our love spanning all space and time"). Both with uplifting melodies and earnest lyrics. I believe these songs when Wolf sings them. The message rings true.

The stand-out track, to me is "Tricks I Play On Myself". Over a Beatl-ish Sgt. Pepper era background, comes a sweetly-sad look at the disconnect we sometimes feel between our reality and how we wish things would be ("hope's a cruel witch / Queen of bait and switch"). Redemption comes when the singer drops all expectations, to find "freedom in reality". It's a beautiful sentiment and a catharsis of discovery, delivered with an almost detached melancholy.

Emotional baggage takes center-stage with the droll "Let's Keep It Superficial" ("history shows I lack the skill for bonding / childhood scars, the psych nurse says that's why"). It's actually a sad story of alienation and emotional abuse, but delivered with a top-hat-and-cane flourish ("can't we be a pair of life-size cardboard cutouts"), that had me tapping my toe and smiling the whole way through.

On "Thin Skin", Wolf mines the age-old father-son relationship - and comes up with a shocker.  After a childhood of physical abuse, the boy in this story "earns his masters and builds a life in the burbs".. But eventually, he can no longer ignore his past. The music turns dark and with it, years of turmoil erupt from the emotional depths ("from his knees the old man wept for reprieve.."). This is not your mother's pop music.

"When Music Was Magic" reminds us of the bone-deep ties between events in our lives and the music that helped define them. ("the mojo in those rhymes sends my heart traveling back in time..")

Modern country music ("songs about sexy tractors") is skewered in "Dumb It Down". A dream brings "Waylon & Harlan & Johnny himself" together to bemoan the current state of the genre ("the road to writing hit songs turned since we left town..") One wonders if Waylon and the boys could even find a gig these days..

Wolf tackles serious and heady subject matter with heart, irony introspection and candor. He sings in a clear, conversational voice to convey his deceptively layered lyrics. Sometimes, he clips his words in a unique way and I have to admit that I swear I hear a 'wink' in his voice, even when he's being completely sincere.

The musical tracks on Trazodreams are a sturdy setting for these gems. Though Wolf has taken a mostly no-frills musical approach to these songs, the backing music adds just the right punch of humor or pathos - at just the right moment.

Like a more gut-honest Randy Newman or a less snarky Warren Zevon, Wolf populates these songs with his innermost demons. We're witness to a physically and emotionally painful childhood and to long battles fought to find a place of spiritual and philosophical comfort . On Trazodreams, James David Wolf invites us into some very dark and private places. I highly recommend taking the journey."

NEW SONG!! NEW VIDEO!! NEW SHOWS!! THE MABLES!!

Upcoming Shows
Friday, February 1, 2013
The Mables @ The Pond
595 Hillsboro Road, Franklin, TN (United States) - Map 
Set: 10:00 PM
21+ 
Tickets: $5
Saturday, February 2, 2013
The Mables @ Jamison Whistle Stop
1974 Wilson Pike, Franklin, TN 37067 (United States) - Map
(615) 595-0038
Sets: 7:00 & 9:00PM
All Ages (40 seats per show)
Tickets: $10
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Mables @ Cool Springs Brewery
600A FRAZIER DRIVE, STE 135 , Franklin, TN (United States) - Map
(615) 503.9626
Set: 6:00 PM
21+ 
Tickets: Free!
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Mables @ New South Coffee Company
110 Franklin Street, Clarksville, TN 37040 (United States) - Map
(931) 802-6078
Set: 7:30 PM
All Ages 
Tickets: Free!
Also Playing: Adam Burrows

Saturday, March 2, 2013
The Mables @ The Coup
819 Crossland Avenue, Clarksville, TN (United States) - Map 
           Set: 8:00 PM
           All Ages 
Sunday, March 3, 2013
The Mables @ Sunday Spotlight @ The Bluebird Cafe
4104 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville, TN (United States) - Map
615-383-1461
          Set: 6:30 PM
          All Ages 
                            Tickets: Free!

Adam Burrows Nominated for The Deli Nashville's Best of 2012 Poll for Emerging Artists

Photo by Mark Vann

Adam Burrows has been nominated for The Deli Nashville's Best of 2012 Poll for Emerging Artists.
Hit up the link below and show him some love!


If you haven't had a chance to check out Adam's recent release Tall Tales, give it a spin on Spotify via the player below:

Brian James Review - Maverick Magazine


UK Folk/Country staple Maverick posted a glowing review of Brain James' debut The Wild and Free EP. You can check out the review here and you can give the record a spin on the player below.


The Mables @ Franklin Theatre TONIGHT (8/14)


Nathan Griffin, Brian James, Josh Preston & Ben Salley are The Mables. As purveyors of the half-swank, The Mables capture the charm of Southern soul and the mysterious beauty of Delta blues. This Tuesday night, they'll be recording a live album for one night only at the historic Franklin Theatre (map) in downtown Franklin, TN. The doors for this event open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm. This is a FREE event. You are welcome to bring friends and loved ones. Seating will be first come, first served. We can't wait to play for you!
- Love, The Mables