Tyler Childers – Country Squire

I had no idea who Tyler Childers was until I bought a ticket to see Sturgill Simpson next spring. Childers is on the bill so I figured I should do some research.  I picked up his latest LP Country Squire. Holy shit it is good!

Vocally, Childers reminds me of a young Steve Earle (for example 1986‘s Guitar Town). The arrangements and production are deceptively straightforward traditional country. However, on a more careful listen, they are more subversive – plus they are deliberately stereo. I assume some of the soundscape credit goes to producers Sturgill Simpson (whose albums are sonically brilliant) and David R. “Fergie” Ferguson (the engineer on Johnny Cash’s American Recordings). Lyrically Childers reminds me of John Prine.

All and all, this is an amazing album and puts Childers in the same class as my contemporary oddball country heroes Sturgill Simpson and Margo Price. I am smitten and a little embarrassed I am so late to the party (this is Childers’ third album).