Album review: Jesse Dayton drops outstanding new record this Friday

Austin’s Jesse Dayton is much like his influences Waylon, Willie and even The Clash and X. The music the Texas musician makes perfectly reflects those disparate styles and more. As an artist, Dayton refuses to be pigeon-holed into a particular genre. Listening to the tracks on his latest, “The Outsider” highlights the point that the singer, songwriter and guitarist is talented at presenting music regardless of genre, East Texas Blues, punk, rock, acoustic songwriter ballads in the Texas tradition all make an appearance on this outstanding new record. 

About “The Outsider” Dayton says, “It’s a lot like ‘The Revealer’, but even more stripped down with some sweet acoustic guitar songs and some raw electric guitar work.”All the influences are there; the George Jones-inspired singing on “Changin’ My Ways,” the Outlaw country twang of Waylon and Jerry Reed on “Belly of the Beast,” the angst and energy of The Clash and X on hillbilly protest song “Charlottesville,” and the deep east Texas Blues and Cajun rockabilly of “May Have To Do It” and “Hurtin Behind The Pine Curtain.” While there are many different sides to him musically, this all rolls into one big hybrid that JesseDayton has been honing for over 20 years.

The album was mixed by Grammy-winning engineer/producer Vance Powell (Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Jack White). The record comes out this Friday, June 9 on Blue Elan Records. Fans can Preorder The Outsider here. Dayton also released the first track, May Have To Do It in advance of the album. Click the song title below where we’ve shared a few words about each song. Frankly we can’t wait to get our hands on that slick red vinyl available. 

May Have to Do It (Don’t Have to Like It) – Hard charging East Texas drinking song in the hillbilly tradition. A great song to see performed live. We saw Dayton play the tune at SXSW with Ray Benson at the singer’s annual birthday party at GSD&M. It was a show highlight at a performance where many talented musicians were asked to join Ray on stage including The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Jesse had them all beat by a mile. He’s an exceptional stage performer who can dazzle fans with his guitar chops. 

Jailhouse Religion – A tom tom beat of a gospel song. The twangy, church house riffs on guitar fit well with hymnal motif.

Change My Ways – Beautiful ballad in the Texas songwriter tradition of George Jones as Dayton mentioned.  

Hurting Behind Pine Curtain – Deep bass, growling guitar riffs with apocalyptic drums sound almost metal. The guitar solo reflects that sentiment. Did Rob Zombie (Dayton has worked with him) produce this one? Not quite but Dayton says there are punk and rock elements in this track. 

We Lost It – Sounds like a George Strait or Guy Clark song. It’s a cowboy ballad with what we think is a lap steel guitar. The eerie sounds are fantastic and haunting. 

Tried To Quit (But I Just Quit) – This cute piano rocker with a nice 4/4 bass line is another rockabilly dance-hall tune. The song is about a man who fails at ceasing womanizing. The humorous tone fits the lyrics just about right. 

Charlottesville – Hoedown, foot-stomper, almost yodeling at the outset. The old-timey sound has us thinking there’s an upright bass holding down the rhythm part.   

Belly of the Beast – This song has Dayton intoning words at the outset while commenting on the polarized political landscape. Charlie Daniels-like chorus with backing singers leads into a shredding solo that promises an extended jam live. Dayton says the energy of the song is inspired by punk acts The Clash and X. The later he toured with a few years ago when one of their members was not able to hit the road with the group. 

Burnin – A spare, acoustic ode to the unnamed Outsider that is the album title. Is the character singing Jesse? Perhaps. Is the song good? Heck yeah it is! 

Killer On The Lamb – This is an alt-country song that sounds more like Wilco than Willie. A sizzling banjo during fast parts, the song oscillates from that amped-up speed to slow, deliberate part the song begins with. We like the clever double-meaning of Lamb in the title. 

Upcoming Tour Dates:

6/7 – City Winery – Nashville, TN supporting Reckless Kelly

6/9 – Two Doors Down – Maryville, TN

6/10 – The Pour Music Hall – Raleigh, NC

6/12 – City Winery – New York, NY supporting Reckless Kelly

6/13 – Narrows Center for the Arts – Fall River, MA supporting Reckless Kelly

6/14 – Mauch Chunk Opera House – Jim Thorpe, PA supporting Reckless Kelly

6/15 – The State Theatre – Falls Church, VA supporting Reckless Kelly

6/16 – Roxy and Dukes Roadhouse – Dunellen, NJ supporting Legendary Shack Shakers, Chuck Mead

6/17 – Askew – Providence, RI 

6/19 – Once Lounge – Somerville, MA

6/20 – The Cove Music Hall – Worcester, MA

6/22 – Southgate House Revival – Newport, KY

7/20 – Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe – Galveston, TX

7/21 – Mcgonigel’s Mucky Duck – Houston, TX

7/27 – The Broken Spoke – Austin, TX

8/11 – Knuckleheads Saloon – Kansas City, MO

8/12 – Bourbon Theatre’s Rye Room – Lincoln, NE

8/15 – Uptown Vfw – Minneapolis, MN

8/16 – Shitty Barn Sessions – Spring Green, WI

8/17 – Door County Brewing Company and Music Hall – Baileys Harbor, WI