Jason Boland to Release Concept Album About Alien Abduction
Original Red Dirt music legend Jason Boland may be best known for straightforward country music heaters such as “Pearl Snaps” and “Somewhere Down in Texas,” but those that have followed his 20-year career know that if you know Boland, you best stay on your toes. Every once in a while, he’ll throw you a curve ball. He’s not just some bumpkin. Beneath the surface there’s a thoughtful, intelligent guy.
A year after celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his iconic debut album Pearl Snaps, Boland is veering into the paranormal with his next album called The Light Saw Me to be released on December 3rd by Thirty Tigers. Similar to Jason’s 2015 record Squelch, he’ll be going off the script on this one, not just singing the usual songs about tough times and heartache. This one is a concept record whose subject matter deals with an alien abduction.
That’s right, don’t rub your eyes. Jason Boland and The Stragglers are releasing an alien abduction concept record. Apparently made of three distinctive interlocking parts, the album follows a cowboy living in Texas in the 1890s who is abducted by aliens and ends up back in Texas in the 1990s. It’s partially inspired by the story of a rumored UFO crash in Aurora, Texas on April 17, 1897 before most folks even knew what a UFO was.
But don’t worry, Boland assures there is a deeper, more universal theme to the album as well that may be more accessible beyond fans of sci-fi. “’The Light Saw Me’ is a song and album which aims to highlight our lack of ultimate control over our narratives. So much of what happens in our lives seems to choose us in spite of our grand plans. The deeper meaning of the material is ‘meaning’ itself. When faced with the stoic realities of our collective fate, love is the source of the power that can keep us going.”
The album was recorded in Los Angeles with the Stragglers, including longtime and beloved steel guitarist Roger Ray, who left the band in 2014. It was produced by Shooter Jennings, who received some of his first producer credits on the Jason Boland and the Straggler’s 2013 album Dark & Dirty Mile.
“Jason and the band were a delight,” Shooter says. “Jason’s vision from the album served as our lodestar as we carried it from cradle to its proper spot on the mountain high. It’s one of the coolest sounding records I’ve heard in years, so I’m really excited to see what the future holds for ‘The Light Saw Me.'”
And that’s not all of the exciting news for Jason Boland and the Stragglers. After nearly a quarter century playing country music, Jason Boland and the Stragglers will finally be making their Grand Ole Opry debut on December 7th—the week after the new album is released.
The title track of the new album can be heard below, and The Light Saw Me is now available for pre-order.
‘The Light Saw Me’ Tracklist
- Terrifying Nature
- The Light Saw Me
- A Tornado & The Fool
- Here For You
- Transmission Out
- Transition In
- Future
- Straight Home
- Restless Spirits
- A Place To Stay
- Faux Reel
October 7, 2021 @ 8:45 am
Not enough country songs about anal probes these days. Looking forward to it!
October 8, 2021 @ 6:10 am
Check out “Anal Alien” by HELLROYS if you haven’t already.
October 7, 2021 @ 9:07 am
It can be a concept that will birth some interesting songs. I remember back in the 90s (I think) James Taylor did a song called “Frozen Man” about a sailor who was frozen alive in the 19th century and brought back to life in modern times, and his struggles to adapt to modern life.
October 7, 2021 @ 9:11 am
I hope I’m wrong and this ain’t just a record about cool space sounds I can make with a guitar and fiddle.
October 7, 2021 @ 9:55 am
Jason isnt the first hillbilly to sing about this concept. Billy Lee Riley recorded Flying Saucers Rock and Roll inside Sam Phillips Sun Studio in the mid-fifties. His “band” was called The Little Green Men. And i think if memory serves, Jerry Lee Lewis played on the track as well.
October 7, 2021 @ 10:18 am
Yes, indeed. And those little green men taught him how to do The Bop.
October 7, 2021 @ 9:38 am
He is one of the best in the Texas landscape.
Bizarre concept but I am excited for it.
This is the perfect counterpoint to all those departing singers who say country music is limiting. Plenty of material out there.
October 7, 2021 @ 10:20 am
I have always liked his music. This will be an interesting album. Wasn’t a huge fan of Squelch but really liked Dark and Dirty Mile.
October 8, 2021 @ 10:08 am
He has some albums that are definitely more consistent than Squelch, but I’d say the good ones are more memorable from a lyrics standpoint.
I’ll take creativity over another album that sounds a little too similar to an artist’s previous works.
October 7, 2021 @ 12:13 pm
Jason boland is an OG and aliens are definitely real.
Also everyone should go listen to jeremy pinnell’s new album. It rips super hard
October 8, 2021 @ 4:09 am
pumped about this project and yes, Pinnell rips!!
October 7, 2021 @ 12:55 pm
Cool. I wonder if Restless Spirits is a Bob Childers cover. I know Boland pays tribute to him on most albums.
October 7, 2021 @ 1:03 pm
Yes, it is the Bob Childers song, and Boland worked his story to incorporate it into the album.
October 7, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
Nice. I’m looking forward to this album. The Bob Childers tribute album, Restless Spirit, is an overlooked gem.
October 7, 2021 @ 3:35 pm
Green Headed Stranger is a country music album concept I’m looking forward to.
October 7, 2021 @ 4:55 pm
Best comment stellar
October 8, 2021 @ 6:29 am
Sounds weird, but as with most things Jason Boland, I’m sure I’ll like it.
October 8, 2021 @ 8:16 am
I always liked his song Cosmic Comet to the Moon
October 9, 2021 @ 1:25 pm
Hate to get political, but both Trump and Biden may very well be kin to Ned.
This kind of Album is the only reason I fuck with Boland. Food for the pineal gland.
Peace and Love,
M Daily
October 9, 2021 @ 7:12 pm
I hope this makes it to the radio. Good stuff.
October 14, 2021 @ 6:47 pm
This song just keeps growing on me. Country Music has been missing some of the old spiritual and mysticism songs that were done back in the 60’s and 70’s. Whether is was the Wooly Swamp or Ghost Riders it was a nice change to the same old same old. Glad to see someone is bringing it back. Even better is is JBS. If I can make it down to the Opry in Dec I may just have to do it.