Lonesome Wyatt’s Gothic Country “Ghost Ballads”
In Red Dirt music, there is a place called “The Farm.” It was a 5-bedroom house outside of Stillwater, Oklahoma owned by Bob Childers where the Red Dirt movement started in earnest. No matter what happens in Red Dirt henceforth, whether it continues to grow or it fades away, the few Red Dirt members who called “The Farm” home in those formative years will always have their place in history cemented as forefathers of the music.
If underground country had a version of “The Farm,” Lonesome Wyatt would be one of its inhabitants. Lonesome Wyatt is a pioneer of Gothic country with his band Those Poor Bastards, and one of the originators of underground country whose song “Pills I Took” was covered by Hank Williams III on his landmark album Straight to Hell, he is one of the few artists who will never be forgotten regardless of the long-term fortune of the underground country sub-genre.
Gothic country is not for everyone. Similar to how punk and reggae may not have many similarities on the surface, but whose structures are steeped in similar modes when you explore the music deep at its core, Gothic country may come across initially as counter-intuitive, or even corrosive to someone who calls themselves a country fan. But within Gothic country, you find the stark distinctions of good and evil indicative of The Louvin Brothers and gospel, you find the the murder balladry of Doc Watson and Johnny Cash, you find the Gothic identity and presence of death of The Carter Family, and the empowerment of the poor of Woody Guthrie.
Lonesome Wyatt and his “Holy Spooks” side project may even be less accessible that other Gothic country because the sound is fairly stripped back and the approach quite fey. This is music to be listened to, not heard; music that you sit back and appreciate its textures as opposed to banging your head or tapping your foot to. But for those brave souls not scared off by the spooky dressing, they will discover some striking artistic expression interwoven with timeless storytelling in an album that reveals itself to be more entertaining and even prone to losing yourself in than you would initially expect.
If Lonesome Wyatt was an actor, he’d prefer the method approach to the craft. And if his music were a movie, it would be a graphic novel. Where Lonesome’s Those Poor Bastards material usually carries more anger, and angular, abrupt themes, Ghost Ballads is like a lost collection of Edgar Allan Poe poems written as if they were for children, but that were truly meant for adults. Then he sets it all to music. This is where Lonesome Wyatt’s singular artistic contribution to the world is evidenced, which is his ability to cull the perfect sounds from the universe to conjure a desired mood. A master craftsman of audio textures who is not afraid to pull from both the analog and electronic worlds, his ear is wickedly adept at picking up the most delicious subtleties in sounds that universally trigger dark responses in the human palette.
And just when he has you in the darkest of all moods, the creepy bastard springs into the saccharine, 50’s-ish do-woppy “Dream of You” making the whole experience feel even that much more sinister.
Reportedly recorded surreptitiously at the haunted Maribel Caves Hotel in Maribel, WI, Ghost Ballads may not be the best starting point to get into Lonesome Wyatt’s uniquely dark and creative approach to music, but is a good selection if you’re looking for music to create camaraderie with a dark mood, or are looking to evoke one.
Lonesome Wyatt is a timeless artist, and I’m sure Ghost Ballads along with his entire discography will be haunting Gothic fans long after he’s in the grave.
1 1/2 of 2 guns up.
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March 23, 2013 @ 11:16 am
Awesome. Lonesome continues to be one of the best with everything he makes.
March 23, 2013 @ 12:58 pm
I listened to this album this morning about three times in a row. It is a very VERY good album. I am going to give it a few more listens before I decide how it compares with Heartsick, which is one of my all time favorite albums.
March 23, 2013 @ 1:22 pm
I live about 20 minutes from the Maribel “haunted hotel”. Lots of stories about that place. Storied to have a portal to hell that black witches opened, later closed by good witches, lots of people would go exploring / partying there… I’d really like to know if he actually recorded in there or just outside. He might not be able to say for legal reasons though. Supposedly people watch it very close and are nazi’ish about trespassing. I like the album though anyway. I got the cool orange/black vinyl.
March 23, 2013 @ 2:13 pm
The press on it says, “Ghost Ballads was covertly recorded at the deserted, decrepit and allegedly haunted Maribel Caves Hotel (otherwise known as Hotel Hell) in Maribel, WI.” So draw whatever conclusions you want to from that.
March 23, 2013 @ 3:41 pm
If I ever get the chance to talk to him, I’m going to see if I can get an answer.
March 23, 2013 @ 5:15 pm
Lonesome Wyatt’s records are all just pure magic, profound head trips. I have been waiting for this album since I was a kid. Thanks for reviewing it, Trigger.
March 23, 2013 @ 7:13 pm
“I have been waiting for this album since I was a kid.”
Man, that puts it just about right. I struggled trying to put into words how this is Gothic horror that spurns your imagination like when you were a kid, but is adult oriented enough to not make you feel immature. That’s really the underlying genius of this album.
March 25, 2013 @ 12:05 pm
I’ve seen people say this album is like a soundtrack to a Tim Burton movie, but to me this is more like that old Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series in music form. Not the new version but the old one with the horrifying illustrations that are burnt forever into so many peoples minds. It does indeed seem like a children’s thing in the way that it’s written, but any kid (or adult for that matter) who listens to this album (or read those books) would know that there is something dark and twisted and evil lying under the surface.
March 26, 2013 @ 7:39 am
From the little I’ve heard of this album so far, it’s amazing. You’re right on with this music not being for everyone but Lonesome Wyatt is one of the most talented songwriters / musicians in all of country music.
March 28, 2013 @ 10:54 am
I have to admit that I’m a bit disappointed by this album… I read all your praises and I expected a wonderful piece of music. The campy side of his arrangements is too strong for my own taste ( one of the previous comment points the similarity to Tim Burton imagery and I feel the same but I mean it in a bad way)
I still like it, but not as much as the absolute piece of genius that came out of his collaboration with Rachel Brooke.
I know it’s not the place to put it, but, with all the bashing you received on a more controversial article, I would like to thank you Trigger for all the work you’re doing. I discovered Lonesome Wyatt through this site and I truly appreciate your guiding and comments, even when I don’t fully agree with you.
I wouldn’t like country music as much as I do now without your recommendations and your views on “alternative” or “underground” country.
March 28, 2013 @ 12:37 pm
Thanks for reading Lily!
I can understand how some would have that viewpoint on this album. Like I said above, I’m not sure this is the place to start with Lonesome Wyatt, and it’s probably even less for everyone that his music normally is. But as we can see from other comments, it speaks to some people.
March 30, 2013 @ 11:50 am
I was so happy to see you review this album. I think Heartsick is the best work he has ever done, but i really enjoy this album as well. I am half way through his novel “The Terrible Tale of Edgar Switchblade” and am just amazed it this guys work ethic. I found TPB because of Straight ti Hell. BLACK DOG YODEL was a game changer for me. It brought the same spine tingling that hearing Slayer in my early teen years brought. Almost a forbidden, dark sound.
I appreciate the business acumen of L. WYATT. His website, writing, videos and music are all evident of his passion to work. He is a unique artist who is not obseessed with his fame or image, constant touring or money.
A great artist. Great review!