Trouble In Mind is a bit of a departure from Carll’s past releases. Working with a major label for the first time, granted him an opportunity to work more musicians into his music. This is immediately apparent in the first song, “Drunken Poets Dream.” While this song is perhaps a bit over-produced, the full accompaniment does not detract from Carll’s immense poetic talents. Painting a picture with phrases such as “the wine bottles are scattered like last nights clothes” is a strength of Carll’s which few artists today can match.

Carll has included a solid mixture of over 50 minutes of music on this CD, displaying both a rowdy and tender side equally well. His passion truly shines with the ballads “Don’t Let Me Fall” and “Willing To Love Again,” while letting his wild side loose on the rocker “Bad Liver And A Broken Heart” and “Wild As A Turkey.” The song “A Lover Like You” would fit comfortably in the Bob Dylan catalog.

Carll has also included his first cover. He could not have picked a more apropos cover for an artist dripping with satire such as his. Carll does an outstanding job with Tom Waits “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up.” His voice inflections add to the truth behind these lyrics.

There are two songs that stand above the others on this CD, making it worthwhile all on their own.  From the opening catchy groove on “I Got A Gig” you know this one is special. From a man who has lived virtually from gig to gig, adding the phrase “Good Lord I hope I get paid tonight, I got a gig, baby,” this humorous yet truthfully painful look at that life will have you nodding in appreciation. Carll mentions the darker side of the road life as he deadpans:

“Pills in the tip jar,

blood on the strings,

Ah Lord I thought

I’d never see these things.”

Perhaps drawing from somewhat humorously demented fellow Texan Kinky Friedman, “She Left Me For Jesus” is destined to be a cult classic. This tongue firmly planted in cheek song takes an innocent look at love lost; only the loser is a bit confused. Masterfully arranged and sung by Carll, one can only smile as he sings the chorus:

“She left me for Jesus,

and that just ain’t fair.

She says that He’s perfect,

how could I compare.

She says I should find Him,

and I’ll know peace at last.

If I ever find Jesus,

I’m kicking his ass.”

Carll is one of the best songwriters out there today. He shows exactly why with this CD. He puts everything into his music, his life and love, and shares a little humor along the way to keep us happy.

Review of Hayes Carll CD “Little Rock”By Steve HugEmcee, Narrows Center for the ArtsFall River, MAUp here in the Northeast, nobody apparently knows one of the more exciting young voices in Americana, Texan Hayes Carll.He played to practically an empty house at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, Massachusetts recently.  So he’s got some work to do (or maybe we at the Narrows do!).{mosimage}The extremely low turnout was somewhat surprising—Hayes’ CD “Little Rock” has done well on the national Americana radio chart.  According to Hayes’ website, “Little Rock” is the first self-released CD to make it to # 1.  When

I first listened to “Little Rock” I was struck by how much he reminded

me of Steve Earle, with sort of a devil-may-care vocal style, though

one can actually understand the lyrics when Hayes sings.  He also

reminds me of John Anderson, and probably could do a great cover of Anderson’s “Swingin’” or, as Anderson puts it, “Swang-en.”In

short, there’s a heavy twang in Hayes’ singing, which makes his music

more authentic to these Northern ears, and more country than

folk.  If you’re a folkie who doesn’t like records for roamin’ the

prairie with the dogies, this CD ain’t for you, cowpoke.  Stick to

people like Kathleen Edwards who leans folk and pop.  Hayes Carll

is country or maybe Southern Rock, which is fine with me.  But if

a Merle Haggard or George Jones record gives you a panic attack,

perhaps you should pass on Hayes Carll. The songs, mostly

written by Hayes, are enjoyable, even fun, like “Down the Road

Tonight,” that squeezes the now-acquitted Michael Jackson, Ray Wylie

Hubbard and Hayes’ grandma into one tune.  “Good Friends” is a

toe-tapper about Hayes’ high school friends, including a buddy named

Mike who discovered he was gay.  “I didn’t have the heart to tell

him that we all knew anyway.”Ray Wylie Hubbard co-wrote

“Chickens,”a likeable fast blues throwaway, and Guy Clark co-wrote

“Rivertown,” a somber ballad that’s fine, but not memorable.  I

give “Little Rock” three bottle caps.  It didn’t knock me over,

but I enjoyed it.  I’m looking forward to more Hayes Carll shows

at the Narrows and his next releases.{mosimage}Click here to purchase this cd at lonestarmusic.com