Review Summary: An adept if not quite as cohesive follow up to the excellent first volume.
The biggest problem with reviewing a dual release is the inherent desire to compare the two said albums, especially in discussion of the latter. Expectations have already been set up, and having a disappointing follow-up is always worse than a weaker original in a fan’s eyes. And so, the main question to address here is: Does
Volume 2 live up to
Volume 1?
Well, yes and no.
Stapleton seems to be hitting lows in a different way than he has before. He reaches a noticeable point of fault with the unconvincing “woe is me” stance on the bluesy stomp of the otherwise enjoyable “Tryin’ to Untangle My Mind.” It’s the quieter moments in which Stapleton really shines, however. While he may dabble in grimy southern rock to an excellent extent on “Hard Livin’,” the true heart of the album lives deep in his potent lyricism and understated but affecting vocal performance. As with all men, he’s far more relatable and interesting in his vulnerability and desperation. Perhaps this is in which his success lies: he doesn’t always find himself in forced braggadocio like his country-pop contemporaries, and when he does he’s able to use the surprise and power of the contrasting personalities to his advantage. The rockers aren’t quite as convincing as they were on
Volume 1, but the softer moments strengthen the louder, and vice versa; such is the secret Stapleton has perfected.
That being said, the flow here doesn’t work as well as predecessor. The songs themselves may sometimes be deeper and more exciting here than on
Volume 1, but they just aren’t as cohesive, such as when “A Simple Song”’s bittersweet pause is interrupted by an awkward crunch leading into “Midnight Train to Memphis.” While I commented previously on how the first volume was able to blend it’s mish-mash of genres into a ridiculously smooth experience,
Volume 2 feels like a much more cobbled together collection. It honestly might be the stronger of the two musically and emotionally, but other forces stop it from sounding like it most of the time.
Both volumes of
From a Room are great for different reasons, and while I may have given this a slightly lower score, it’s only weaker than Volume 1 in a minimal sense. If you’re looking for great country, folk, or rock songs, or you simply enjoyed
Volume 1, check this out immediately. In many ways, this stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its predecessor, not overshadowing nor being overshadowed by it.
And that’s just how it should be.
