Some artists as they get older almost become caricatures of themselves (yes, I am looking at you Madonna and Bono) but country artist Dwight Yoakam as he approaches sixty is staying true to form. Meaning he is still putting the focus on the music and putting out solid albums. This time round Second Hand Heart is a bare bones effort that has a really spare and edgy sound to it. It reminds me a lot of the stuff he used to release early on in the eighties. A sort of country punk or rockabilly. The roster of songs is made up of eight originals and two covers – “Man of Constant Sorrow” and “V’s of Birds”. It features nice changes of pace with lots of up tempo and several ballads thrown into the mix. Listening to it you will salivate at the thought of hearing the songs played live as most of the album is made up of songs that beg to be played live. Lots of fun and texture. The type of album that you’ll keep going back to and will appreciate more and more as you continue to listen to it.
Dwight Yoakam – Second Hand Heart
