“Careless Soul” Will Be Cale Tyson’s Long Awaited American Debut LP
Cale Tyson has been one of the hottest names in independent country and Americana for the last couple of years, yet with no full-length album to back it up. Usually it’s the other way around—an independent artist riding rave reviews of a debut LP to big opportunities.
But due to a strange situation that I couldn’t exactly explain to you and Cale doesn’t seem to be able to either, Cale’s American output has been confined to a couple of short-run EP’s from a few years ago, while a full-length called Introducing Cale Tyson made out of those EP’s and released in 2015 on Clubhouse Records in the U.K. has positively thrived over in Europe. Cale was even nominated for a couple of awards by the U.K. chapter of the Americana Music Association last year, but good luck getting Introducing Cale Tyson stateside until he printed a few hundred vinyl copies earlier this year.
Cale’s woes with a proper full-length American release will change though on July 14th when his debut American LP called Careless Soul is released. Featuring collaborations with the Watson Twins, Caitlin Rose, Jeremy Fetzer from Steelism, and produced by Michael Rinne, it was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and looks to mix Cale’s country roots with the soul tradition Muscle Shoals is famous for. Careless Soul is a lush record with horns, and features original songs, including “Somebody Save Me,” which has been debuted ahead of the release (listen below).
Tyson grew up in Ft. Worth, but originally rebelled against country music. It wasn’t until moving to Nashville in college and eventually meeting steel guitar player Brett Resnick and dating Kelsey Waldon that he feel head over heels for the traditional country sound. Careless Soul finds Cale expanding his sound, yet it is still indicative of the traditional country influences running very rich in east Nashville these days.
TRACK LIST:
- Staying Kind
- Somebody Save Me
- Careless Soul
- Easy
- Traveling Man
- Pain In My Heart
- Railroad Blues
- Dark Dark
- High Lonesome Hill
- Gonna Love A Woman
- Pain Reprise
- Ain’t It Strange
June 4, 2017 @ 6:14 pm
Long awaited by who? The guy is garbage
June 4, 2017 @ 6:28 pm
Delightful, Jerry …
June 4, 2017 @ 8:16 pm
Cale Tyson is awesome! Funny thing is, I ordered Introducing Cale Tyson on CD from Target last year for 15 bucks, which I thought was strange. I was fortunate enough to get it on vinyl a couple months ago too. I really think he is underrated. However, I don’t care for his politics as he has been getting more vocal on social media. He is definitely a hipster, but the dude is crazy talented! I wish nothing but the best for him. Careless Soul has been on US Amazon for a quite a while. I already have it in my collection and urge others to check him out.
June 4, 2017 @ 8:34 pm
Your right. I already have this album. Pretty good stuff.
June 4, 2017 @ 8:57 pm
See, this is why Cale Tyson is facing an uphill battle with this release. If you have this release already in the United States, you bought it on import. That is why it was $15 from Target, and that is why it’s over $21.00 on Amazon. That’s why there’s an “E” beside the price on BandCamp. It is not supposed to be available in the United States, and hypothetically, it isn’t. The problem is that the core fans you need to support a release and create a buzz cycle are all going to say, “Hey, I already have this. Old news.” I feel bad for Cale. You cannot release albums in different markets in this day and age. It’s better to not release any albums, ever, and at least leave some anticipation built into your fan base. You must wait until you can align all markets around a universal release date. This hurt the last album from Austin Lucas, it hurt the last album from Tami Neilson, and it will hurt this one. Also, don’t release EP’s unless you have a very specific purpose with them. Even though Cale’s music is great, these are the very reasons I’ve avoided talking about his music for years. “Hey Trig, how can you say your saving country music when you’ve never featured Cale Tyson?!?” So now I feature him, and it’s all, “Eh, already heard it.” And that’s why other outlets are going to be less likely to feature him. It’s a mess, and unfortunately it’s going to hurt Cale.
Nothing is more important to an artist’s career than how they release records. I say all this in hopes that his fans understand what’s going on here, and understand why it’s still important to support this release. That’s also why I posted this article. This should be dealt with as a brand new release in the American market. Unfortunately, few will.
June 5, 2017 @ 6:31 am
I’ve liked Cale’s music for a few years and heard about this release maybe 6 months ago. Don’t remember where I found it, but was able to purchase and download around that time. But you’re right, he seems to have different albums and EPs with some of the same songs released in differing countries.
Good stuff though. Kinda reminds me a little of Hayes Carll.
June 5, 2017 @ 5:20 pm
Well, I mean…I am not dissing your article. I think it is great you featured him! I just stated that I have the album and it is really good. I urge others to support him!
June 4, 2017 @ 8:47 pm
Wait is Brett resnick the dude who plays steel in waldons band?
June 4, 2017 @ 8:58 pm
Yes. I also believe he’s been playing with Kacey Musgraves recently. Good dude.
June 4, 2017 @ 9:24 pm
Well, it’s new to me! And I like it. From the one song you posted it almost has a 50’s do-wop feel?
June 5, 2017 @ 1:22 am
Great album, very soulful!
June 5, 2017 @ 5:26 am
The posted song is the first I’ve heard of him. I like it.
June 5, 2017 @ 7:01 am
Oh no, horns, it must suck.
June 5, 2017 @ 7:35 am
Oh wow, another “Country Soul” album. How original!
June 5, 2017 @ 10:26 am
The only redeeming quality in this poseur’s music is having the inimitable ‘Smokin’ Brett Resnick (who is one of the most talented, friendly, cool motherf*ckers in this town!) playing pedal steel. I always thought Sturgill was talking about the douchebilly frat bros when he wrote that line in “Life Ain’t Fair, And The World Is Mean.” I’ve seen this kid play around Nashville a few times, and all I see is a well-rehearsed hat act, cashing in on the underground resurgence of Classic Country Music. Sturgill wasn’t talking about the Music Row machine when he said, “I’m tired of y’all playing dress up and trying to sing them old Country songs.” It was East Nashville hipsters who bought a floppy hat at a consignment shop, picked up a re-re-re-release of Roger Miller’s Greatest Hits at Grimey’s on Record Store Day, and thought they’d give it the old Country try… Tyson seems like a nice enough guy, and is well-liked by independent artists I respect. I guess I just…don’t believe him.
June 5, 2017 @ 11:17 am
I am from the UK and I love this album. It’s been a regular player in my car for over a year. First heard him on the BBC Radio 2 ‘Bob Harris’ show. Seen him play live now three times. All very different sets but equally brilliant. He was my favourite act at the Red Rooster Festival this year. I appreciate the nuances regarding staggered releases but good music is good music, this album will find it’s rightful place and hopefully Cale will continue to write, record and perform.
June 5, 2017 @ 11:20 am
Maybe this album will be different, but I’ve never once believed a word I’ve heard this kid sing. His nauseating political twitter antidotes, however… I wouldn’t second guess him if he said he had another nightmare from that mean Mr Twump. How very “anti-outlaw” of him.
Anyway this is just another transplant who gave the Stetson a try and decided to blow his savings on a “no seriously it’s different” country-horns record. Cool shit if you’ve got big ideas to sing and heart to back them up. But if his old EP and new songs are any indication, this record will just be another drum of the unoriginal and uninspired dead horse that is East Nashville Americana. Let me guess, he’s ditching the hat and denim workshirt for a more “authentic representation” of his person. Wake me up when this dude is done with the costume party. At least Sam Outlaw has songwriting chops to back up his whole “not a cowboy” schtick.
June 5, 2017 @ 5:25 pm
I totally agree The political stuff is getting almost laughable. I still support him, because he has talent and I like his music….
I try not to let politics get in the way of good music, but I was hoping his political opinion would be a little more developed. Anyway, I support him. Probably not a bad dude.
June 5, 2017 @ 11:50 am
A lot of people drinking the haterade this morning. Everyone in Nashville is a transplant, so people need to come off that nonsense. As if being born in a Nashville has any bearing on musicality. The album is killer. The songs are killer. It’s not my opinion. It’s an established consensus. Don’t like his politics? He doesn’t give a sh*t. And nothing’s more country than that. And then there’s the new “horn haters” because they listened to a Sturgil album once and believe it’s now off limits. F*ck that noise. Keep doing you Cale. Keep pushing the boundaries of your artistry and experimenting with sounds. Don’t be afraid to crack a few eggs from these old hens cackling in the comments!
June 5, 2017 @ 11:57 am
I hear he kicks dogs for fun.
June 5, 2017 @ 12:03 pm
Cale shall fart on those who oppose him.
His record is anything but smelly. Fear the fart.
June 5, 2017 @ 12:05 pm
Has had three successful European tours, most recently over 30 dates, playing to packed houses and killing it at Red Rooster Festival. Has played a Bob Harris, who called him ,This year’s breakthrough Artist. A U.S label has now caught up and by this time next year he’ll be the ‘country’ star on everyone’s lips. This kid is going right to the top and no amount of hatred for those ‘experts’ commenting is going to stop that. Like what you like and dislike what you like but please, leave off the personal shit. Anyway, what are YOU doing that’s so great? Huh?
June 5, 2017 @ 12:45 pm
I mean half the articles on this website are dedicated to disparaging other musical acts, so it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that its readers aren’t shy to criticize. Nobody here is claiming to be an expert. But going tu quoque in defense of Cale Tyson’s music is almost as hackneyed as his songwriting. And I like horns!
June 5, 2017 @ 12:50 pm
What do you do JT? What’s your talent? Please share, let’s judge you.
June 5, 2017 @ 12:59 pm
We saw Cale and the guys perform the new album a few days ago in Birmingham. Brilliant night of music, very friendly and approachable man and band! I know he is going places, Whisperin’ Bob knows his stuff!
June 5, 2017 @ 1:01 pm
Oh, and Bought Careless Soul and love it, right to the heart.
June 5, 2017 @ 1:21 pm
Always wondering what’s a graver sin… country fans trying to arbitrate authenticity or the artists who capitulate to such arbitration. Does Cale need a Stetson hat? Maybe not. But let’s not act like many of our own country heroes weren’t also playing dress up. When I hear country fans talk about authenticity related to cowboy hats or whatever, when they probably listen to Porter Wagoner or… practically anyone who ever wore a Nudie suit, it rings pretty hollow to me. The best country set I’ve seen all year was Kelsey Waldon in a pair of New Balances, anyhow. For those who can’t see past the wardrobe, maybe those lectures on authenticity belong on a fashion blog.
At the end of the day, Cale just sort of is what he is, & the songs hold up. It would be something else entirely if he was writing songs about driving tractors or roping cattle or what have you. (Which a lot of folks are out there doing, & wrongly get credit for being authentic.) But he’s not. And, anyhow, the reality is that few artists who were ever great at singing country music came out the womb singing country music. (Any notion to the contrary is just a romanticization.) And the most authentic thing for Cale to do is to cop to that.
Long time fan of Cale’s, imported this cd from the UK a while back. Glad it’s finally getting a U.S. release.
June 5, 2017 @ 2:36 pm
Jon – that’s the point. Hat, no hat, sneakers, boots, none of it matters when you’ve got killer songs. Sturgill Simpson has killer songs. Porter had killer songs. Cale does not have killer songs. If his writing weren’t so trite and dull, then the conversation wouldn’t be taking place. Unfortunately his songs are mostly empty and thus the sincerity of the whole shebang is called into question by listeners. Thems the brakes – not that any of it matters, or should matter to Cale, of course. He should keep on truckin because, hell at least he’s out there truckin. No better way to get better.
But I’ve always said, songwriting takes care of everything. There’s no other “authenticity test” out there. And that includes what’s in the closet.
I haven’t heard Cale’s new album so this is all just based on past performance. I have seen him here and there around Nashville and it has all felt very contrived – harmless of course but mostly gimmicky. Still, you act as though Cale the artist isn’t putting himself out there to be critiqued. Must have missed the “Do Not Touch” sign.
June 5, 2017 @ 3:42 pm
Hey JT. I’m not a fan of my old songs either. I also agree that I put the whole country style thing on when it wasn’t really me. You should read the piece that NPR did on me recently. I feel like it represents me well. Anyway, I’m not disagreeing with you – just want to let you know that I’m going more toward my true self more lately and I think my next release will represent that. This record is two years old, keep in mind, but I think it begins to bridge the gap between the then and the now.
June 6, 2017 @ 8:04 am
Right on. Looking forward to giving it a listen. Best of luck to you.
June 5, 2017 @ 3:45 pm
Willing to agree to disagree about the songs. The nature of music, I guess. Then again, I’ve heard the new record. (Granted, I wouldn’t have led with a waltz as the single.)
Agree that anyone who puts him- or herself up on stage is asking to be critiqued, but a lot of what I see leveled against Cale seems to be in the realm of vague Eagles criticisms, which aren’t about the songs, but something else more abstract.
June 5, 2017 @ 2:17 pm
Backed this when it was still in the Kickstarter phase a year or more ago. Inclined to listen when it drops, but the ridiculous wait without any real word of a domestic release until now really put me off. As for this wariness of horns in country I just don’t get it. Some of Haggard’s best work (for me, the Capitol/Epic era from the mid 70’s to early 80’s) featured trumpet or sax. Brass and country aren’t mutually exclusive and those who insist otherwise somehow still sing the praises of Merle and Wayne the Train.
As for personal politics I don’t think it should be an issue if it’s not actually in the music. Even if it is just skip over it if you don’t care for it. I’m diametrically opposed to Kristofferson and Steve Earle but I still love their songwriting on the whole. It shouldn’t blacklist an artist in your eyes.
June 5, 2017 @ 8:05 pm
I have been wondering what’s been wrong with Cale Tyson’s label situation for the past year. I bought this album last year off of UK website and I’ve enjoyed it very much. Trig, you are correct in a global economy with the internet, distribution is important.. He had a small label called Knife Tapes in Nashville release the ” Introducing” on vinyl and they did a very nice job. The EPs and the album were recorded a long time ago and the distribution has just been really weird. If Cale Tyson is on here would love to hear what’s happened behind the scenes so we could all better understand.
June 5, 2017 @ 8:14 pm
Hey guys, it’s me, country savior Sturgill Simpson. I just want to let everyone know that my new CD is coming out soon, and it will save country forever. My songs will be the best country the country has ever seen.
June 5, 2017 @ 8:28 pm
“All good music is soul music.”
–Sturgill Simpson.
(The real one)
June 5, 2017 @ 8:39 pm
Would love to explain this. So basically, when I put this album out in the U.K. (a year ago), I was confident that I would be releasing it with a US label in a few months. That didn’t happen, and I had numerous other “interested” labels that I talked back and forth with for weeks to months before getting the final pass from them. It took this happening over a dozen times before I decided to just self release the album and get it out into the public. I realize that this may have shot me in the foot, but I’m proud of the record and it deserves a proper release, label or not. I truly wish I would have released this a year ago, but at the time, I felt that a record label would release it with the force I felt it deserved. Either way, I’m happy it’s finally coming out and I’m happy to be able to have this conversation!
June 5, 2017 @ 10:24 pm
You don’t need to explain yourself Cale. I can only imagine how frustrating it could have been to try and release this album, knowing the clock was ticking for it to feel fresh to listeners. The nuances of release cycles domestically and in foreign markets flies over the heads of most. I decided to approach it as a new release, because that’s what it is in the North American market. But to many folks, it’s not going to make sense, which is unfortunate. But that’s also not an excuse to ignore it. It is what it is, and you’ve got to deal with the circumstances as they present themselves, as an artist, or a media outlet.
Best of luck with the release.
June 8, 2017 @ 11:27 pm
Trigger, next time I will make sure when a CD is out as an import, I won’t buy it without your permission, and I will make sure to be surprised when you announce it. You are seriously the most sensitive person I’ve come across.
“But to many folks, it’s not going to make sense, which is unfortunate”
Yeah, yeah, yeah…you’re such an insider
June 8, 2017 @ 11:34 pm
That’s not what I’m saying man. I’m just trying to explain the uphill battle Cale Tyson is facing with this release, and why I decided to feature it. If I was a big fan of somebody and couldn’t get the music another way, I would buy it on import as well, and have many times. An album release remains the most critical time for an artist to find traction in their careers, and must be handled well if they hope to find success.
I can be too sensitive at times.
June 6, 2017 @ 10:50 am
I’d rather watch Blues Clues with a raging hemorrhoid than listen to this garbage again. Just kidding, this record rules. It does not adhere to a outlaw or honky tonk esthetic, which is what’s hot in the throw back world right now. It’s timeless good songwriting, and I don’t really find any of the above diatribe valid when it comes to what this record is.
June 6, 2017 @ 5:54 pm
Thanks Cale for taking time to explain, makes total sense. It’s a very good record. If it comes out on vinyl, I will add a second copy to my collection. I also read your NPR interview and learned some new things about your influences and ties to another country artist (spoiler). I bought your new song “Compromised Land” on BandCamp, so had Trig not posted his review and you had not replied on here, I might have missed it, so thanks for this guys!
July 12, 2017 @ 10:59 am
You can stream the whole album ahead of the release on Noisey. Really enjoying it so far. https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/43d4wm/cale-tysons-careless-soul-is-funky-fantastic-and-all-about-being-a-bad-guy
August 31, 2017 @ 6:53 pm
This is one of the best albums of the year.