Braver Newer World Explained

Braver Newer World
Type:studio
Artist:Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Cover:Braver Newer World.jpg
Released:1996
Label:Elektra[1]
Producer:T Bone Burnett
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Braver Newer World is an album by the American musician Jimmie Dale Gilmore, release in 1996.[2] [3] Gilmore deemed the album's sound "West Texas psychedelic blues-rockabilly".[4]

The album peaked at No. 19 on Billboards Heatseekers Albums chart.[5] It was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary Folk Album".[6]

Production

Recorded in Los Angeles, the album was produced by T Bone Burnett; Gilmore had started the album with Bones Howe before scrapping the results.[7] [4] The title track was written specifically for the film Kicking and Screaming.[8] "Where Is Love Now" was written by Sam Phillips. "Because of the Wind" was written by Joe Ely; "Black Snake Moan" is a cover of the Blind Lemon Jefferson song.[9] [10]

Critical reception

The New York Times opined that "the album is slicker and more rock-oriented than Mr. Gilmore's previous albums... In this context, keeping Mr. Gilmore's cosmic sensitivity from becoming too sappy and rock's propulsive drive from becoming too overwhelming is a challenge that Mr. Burnett meets only some of the time."[11] Salon wrote that, "with a precise intelligence, he uses the perfect blend of Americana to bring his songs to life: melodies from country and western, rhythms from swing and rock 'n' roll, fills from folk and bluegrass."[12] The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "a radical departure that risks alienating longtime fans while reinventing and reinvigorating the artist."

Trouser Press noted the "richly atmospheric mix, with a potpourri of percussion, pedal-steel drones, Vox organ, lowing horns and chunky baritone guitar."[13] The Calgary Herald determined that "Gilmore is rooted deep in Texas storytelling, the emptiness of the landscape or someone's heart tempered by a spiritual, personal optimism." Texas Monthly stated that "there are moments when-for the first time ever-he rocks as effortlessly as he rolls."[14] The Indianapolis Star panned the production.

AllMusic wrote that the album finds Gilmore "moving away from the staunch musical traditionalism that characterized his earlier releases, into a brilliant fusion of pure country, mystical explorations, and sonic experimentation that foreshadows the psychedelic tilt of nominally alt-country albums like Wilco's Summer Teeth or the Jayhawks' Smile." MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide likened the album to Magical Mystery Tour, if the Beatles album had "been recorded in Austin, Texas."

Notes and References

  1. Mirkin . Steven . Quick Fix . CMJ New Music Monthly . Sep 1996 . 37 . 6.
  2. Web site: Jimmie Dale Gilmore Biography, Songs, & Albums. AllMusic.
  3. Book: The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Michael. McCall. John. Rumble. Paul. Kingsbury. February 1, 2012. Oxford University Press.
  4. Mirkin . Steven . Jimmie Dale Gilmore maps a 'Newer World' on Elektra . Billboard . May 25, 1996 . 108 . 21 . 12.
  5. Web site: Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Billboard.
  6. Web site: Jimmie Dale Gilmore . Recording Academy . 5 July 2022.
  7. Book: Wolff, Kurt. Country Music: The Rough Guide. July 5, 2000. Rough Guides.
  8. News: Hornaday . Ann . Jimmie Dale's no stranger to Hollywood soundtracks . Austin American-Statesman . 17 Nov 1995 . E7.
  9. News: DeLuca . Dan . 2 Texans: Lovett Needs Fire, but Gilmore Glows . The Philadelphia Inquirer . 30 June 1996 . K1.
  10. Fricke . David . Braver Newer World . Rolling Stone . Jul 11–25, 1996 . 738–739 . 87–88.
  11. News: Strauss . Neil . To Get on the Road Again . The New York Times . 25 June 1996 . C13.
  12. Web site: Braver Newer World. Kevin. Berger. July 1, 1996. Salon.
  13. Web site: Jimmie Dale Gilmore . Trouser Press . 5 July 2022.
  14. Morthland . John . Hot box . Texas Monthly . July 1996 . 24 . 7 . 18.