Cory Branan – You’ll Live
This 10-track orphan set of songs written over 20 years by Memphis-native Cory Branan (vocals/guitars) is a set of songs that never fit on other LPs. He’s filled these shelved tunes with punk grit, heartland rock, Southern storytelling, & folk fluency. So, don’t expect a focused album; it’s a potpourri.
This is Cory’s 7th studio LP proclaiming You’ll Live (Drops August 21/Blue Elan Records/33:42) in a showcase recorded in Nashville, TN & produced by Battle Tapes with Anthony da Costa (guitars/vocals/synth/mandolin). There’s a vocal shaping that has the sauce of The Clash while others are a bit darker. Conveying briefly such fluency as The Stranglers & the Anti-Nowhere League (“Queen & Country”) but never having the edgy firepower those bands triggered. But taking nothing away from Cory, the playing has exuberance, & the vocals have authority with unmitigated zeal. It’s in its creative cohesion that the delivery lacks. “The Price & the Cost” has nice muscle but through its arrangement it doesn’t last long enough. No worries…
A little poppier is “Ricochet,” mindful of early Suburbs (but not “Superlove” & “Love Is the Law”). This tune shows mainstream promise & Cory wisely does it without adding too much commercial sugar. Wonderful guitar structure, full & original. Had Cory done this at the height of the punk-new wave era, they would’ve made a nice splash.
“Cold-Blooded Love” is more easy-listening-like late-career Pere Ubu (who also had a song called “Kathleen”), but Cory isn’t David Thomas. Nice brushes on snare, good lyrics & generally, a pleasant ballad though not in the tradition of those first 3. It seems Cory’s getting comfortable with more tailored, graceful tunes. His voice is strong in a Junkhouse/Tom Wilson manner (“Shine” “Burned Out Car”).
The most realized cuts are “Me & Your Mom & Them,” “Steppin’ Outside,” & closer to an Americana impulse is the delicate, saloon-styled “Kathleen” with its jaunty piano, finely sharpened drums, & accordion notes. Is it a problem? Well, if the audience liked Cory’s raw, biting earlier 3 tracks, this would’ve been a letdown despite how good they all sound. It’s not in the same genre & “image” as the rougher, ass-kicking earlier songs. They’re good-timey, upbeat, & they do rock like hell. Whereas “The Nothing I Know” & “What Gave Me Away” are both subtle & well played with intelligent lyrics, good vocals & decisive arrangements.
These formerly shelved songs are enduring tunes. Good additions to Mr. Branan’s repertoire. Listen to them…you’ll live.
Highlights – “The Price & the Cost,” “Ricochet,” “Kathleen,” “Cold-Blooded Love,” “Me & Your Mom & Them,” “Steppin’ Outside,” “The Nothing I Know,” & “What Gave Me Away.”
Musicians – Adam Abrashoff (drums), James Haggerty & Will Honaker (bass), Kai Welch (accordion/synth), Matt Rowland (piano/organ), & Tyler Childers (vocals).
Color image courtesy of Cory’s Bandcamp & website. A folded 8-panel lyric insert is included. CD @ Bandcamp, Apple + Amazon & https://www.corybranan.com/ & https://blueelan.com/blogs/news/cory-branan-announces-new-album-youll-live-releases-single-kathleen
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Cory Branan “When I Go I Ghost”