Steve Poltz “JoyRide”
Approaching a new album without prior context can be refreshing, and that’s how I chose to meet JoyRide. I pressed play without researching Steve Poltz’s long career, letting the music introduce itself on its own terms.
What becomes immediately clear is the calibre of the musicianship. There’s a confidence running through the record — performances that feel relaxed, assured, and shaped by seasoned players. It also struck me that JoyRide is an album that would likely shine even more in a live setting. Much of the material leans into humour and playful storytelling, and while that can be engaging in the moment, comedic songs often lose some of their charm with repeated listens.
Standout Tracks and Themes
“Petrichor” emerged as a personal highlight. After looking up the term — the earthy scent released when rain hits dry soil — the song’s atmosphere made even more sense. It’s one of the moments where Poltz’s writing feels evocative rather than overtly comedic, and it benefits from that shift in tone.
“The Son of God,” by contrast, is a full‑on comedy track. Songs involving Jesus are more common than one might expect — John Prine’s “Everybody” comes to mind — but this particular approach didn’t land for me. The exaggerated voice and extended skit‑like dialogue wore thin quickly. Even my partner, hearing it from another room, asked what on earth was playing. Poltz himself describes it as a “nutso magutso track” featuring a conversation he “may or may not have had with Jesus,” and he clearly revels in the absurdity. Whether that absurdity delights or grates will depend entirely on the listener’s tolerance for musical humour.
Musicianship and Style
Tracks such as “At It Again” — a Jim Lauderdale co‑write featuring members of Emmylou Harris’s rhythm section — and the title track “JoyRide” showcase strong musicianship and Poltz’s warm, engaging vocal delivery. Toward the end of the album, the tone shifts into lighter, jazz‑tinged territory, where the humour becomes more subtle and less reliant on punchlines. This contrast is welcome, though the return to overt comedy in “Brand New Liver” and “Hairlift” may divide listeners.
Context and Intent
Only after several listens did I look into Poltz’s background. His own description of the album’s creation — an impromptu, chaotic, caffeine‑fuelled session with producer Dex Green in East Nashville — aligns perfectly with what JoyRide delivers. It’s loose, spontaneous, and intentionally unfiltered. Poltz has made fourteen albums, and it’s clear he knows exactly what he wants to capture: real people making real noise in real time.
Final Thoughts
JoyRide is an intimate, personality‑driven record that will resonate most strongly with listeners who appreciate humour woven deeply into songwriting. When the jokes land, they land well; when they don’t, they may test one’s patience. But Poltz’s charm, musicianship, and commitment to his artistic identity are undeniable. Even if the comedic elements aren’t universally appealing, the album is still worth exploring — you may find yourself laughing where I didn’t.
Find more information here on his website: https://poltz.com
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Key to the Highway: Steve Poltz
The album was produced, engineered, and mixed by Dex Green at 3 Sirens in East Nashville, TN. Musicians on the album are Steve Poltz on acoustic guitar, vocals, and harmonies; Dex Green on mellotron, piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide, harmonies, Wurlitzer, and organ; Chris Donohue on upright and arco bass; Bryan Owings on drums and percussion; Jim Lauderdale on harmonies; and Vince Herman on harmonies.