Western Centuries Announce New Album “Call The Captain”
If you think a bunch of boys from the Pacific Northwest can’t bring serious heartbreaking twang to country music, then your ears have never rested upon the musical contributions of the much beloved songwriting collective known as Western Centuries. As supergroup (of sorts) assembled from parts and pieces of other projects, more and more it’s become the primary objective of the respective players after really touching a nerve with listeners who keep demanding more.
Western Centuries is getting ready to release their third record named Call The Captain on Free Dirt Records come April 3rd. With the title calling attention to the fact that Western Centuries is a band with no real frontman, it features Cahalen Morrison who has quite a following all his own from his various country projects as both a frontman and collaborator, Ethan Lawton who is known for his earlier work in Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers, and Jim Miller who became known through his efforts with Donna the Buffalo.
Western Centuries sees all three players swapping time on respective instruments and getting their fair share of opportunities at center stage. They’re joined on the new record once again by Nokosee Fields on bass, Thomas Bryan Eaton who plays pedal steel on all twelve tracks, and Oliver Bates Craven on fiddle, formerly of the Stray Birds. The record was produced by former Band of Horses bass player Bill Reynolds.
“Even if there are drums, electric guitars, and synthesizers, we all like to come at the music in a similar way as we would approach a bluegrass song; supporting the lead singer, singing harmonies, and letting the instrumentalists be featured,” says Cahalen Morrison, speaking to the three-part harmonies that make Western Centuries so fetching.
Also appearing on the record is the Father of Americana, Jim Lauderdale, who sings on a number of tracks, including on the band’s new single, “Heart Broke Syndrome” (listen below). Jim Miller says, “This song, written for a close friend, talks about the recovery process when the sudden loss of someone innocent and dear brings on grief so severe that it induces physical symptoms requiring medical attention.”
Expect a lot of twang, some really great songwriting, and a little bit of fun on a track exploring the recently-formed sixth branch of the military, the Space Force. The only thing better than a great songwriter is three of them, and that’s what Western Centuries brings to the table.
Call The Captain is now available for pre-order.
Track Listing:
1. Lifeblood Sold
2. Every Time It’s Raining
3. Barcelona Lighthouse
4. Heart Broke Syndrome
5. No Cure
6. All the Things That I Could Say to You Right Now
7. The Sentinel
8. Long Dreadful Journey
9. Dynamite Kid
10. Space Force
11. Sarah and Charlie
12. Before That Final Bell
February 19, 2020 @ 9:11 pm
Been a fan of these guys music for a while now. Looking forward to this one.
Trig, speaking of the Pacific northwest, you checked out Gus Clark & The Least of His Problems at all? They’ve got a real classic sound to em. Think he was touring with Pat Reedy for a while.
March 4, 2020 @ 10:23 pm
I just got sen a video of them playing in Oregon that I added to the news crawl. Good band!
https://youtu.be/vQCx4NjnqkE
February 19, 2020 @ 9:41 pm
Huge fan of them. This will be a good one. Have they by chance taken any opportunity to get to Texas? They’d kill it down in the scene here. Or are they sticking to their guns in the NW?
February 20, 2020 @ 3:47 am
We have seen this band 2x at Sportsmen’s tavern in Buffalo, NY and pretty sure they have been around here a couple more times. So I can’t say they stick to their guns in the NW.
February 20, 2020 @ 6:44 am
Channeling The Band.
February 20, 2020 @ 8:48 am
I don’t understand why this band isn’t more popular.
February 20, 2020 @ 9:16 am
Phenomenal band. Bursting at the seams with talent. First two records were excellent — can’t wait for this one.
February 20, 2020 @ 9:17 am
Wow this sounds really cool. Reminds me of The Band. Thanks for spotlighting this.
Jason Isbell sold out and cannot write an authentic song anymore.
February 20, 2020 @ 9:49 am
They’re like The Gourds covering The Band (or the other way around). They’re a great band and their albums are in constant rotation for me. The last time I saw them (they played at the little Parlor Room in Northampton MA and are playing there again in April) they previewed a few tracks from this new album and they were pretty good… more psychedelic according to them.
February 20, 2020 @ 10:28 pm
Really good tip. Thanks.
February 21, 2020 @ 4:59 am
Absolutely love these guys! Must admit I never really picked up on the “channeling The Band” thing until now. Yes, I hear it alright! And that’s not a bad thing at all, I reckon!
February 21, 2020 @ 6:13 am
The whole record is fantastic. This one was recorded in Nashville (“Songs From the Deluge” was made in SW Louisiana), and there’s definitely a different sound/feel to it. Smart songwriting from all three guys.
And in case anyone’s wondering how to touch on political/social themes without being a condescending jerk, well, get this album & check out the (very detailed) liner notes.