The next album from one of Red Dirt’s finest is almost here.
In exactly a month from today, Jason Boland & the Stragglers will release their 11th studio record since they made their iconic debut with Pearl Snaps in 1999, and their first record in nearly four years since the spectacular alien abduction concept record The Light Saw Me.
Titled the Last Kings of Babylon, the forthcoming project serves as a reflection on the last 25 years as a touring band together, drawing upon the experiences, stories, and emotions that have made the band who they are today and concisely capturing it all in a cohesive 10-track. An impressive songwriting feat that showcases the band’s ever evolving sonic tendencies, the project is sure to be a special one from the legendary Jason Boland.
To hold the fans over until its release and in an effort to continue fostering anticipation in the meantime, Boland began rolling the album out back in November with the first single “High Time,” and followed that up a couple of month’s later with “Drive.” Now as the release date quickly approaches, Boland has released another fantastic single with “Take Me Back To Austin.”
A well-written tune that shines a light on the struggles that a musician’s loved ones can face while they’re on the road, the new single follows a musician as they return home and witness this first hand.
Check out “Take Me Back To Austin” here:
“The headlights found the driveway, and the key caressed the door
There she was emotionless, empty on the floor
The lonely days and nights, I know have been more than a few
I asked if there was something I could do”
And while we’re at it, check out the first two singles “High Time” and “Drive.”
“Drive”
“High Time”
The Last Kings of Babylon Tracklist:
1) Next To Last Hank Williams
2) Truest Colors
3) Drive
4) Take Me Back To Austin
5) High Time
6) One Law At A Time
7) Ain’t No Justice
8) Farmall
9) Irish Goodbye
10) Buffalo Return To The Plains
For anyone who may not be familiar, the origins of Jason Boland and the Stragglers date back to the college town of Stillwater, OK in the mid-1990s when Boland, alongside fellow Red Dirt legends Stoney LaRue and future Cross Canadian Ragweed frontman Cody Canada, cut their teeth writing songs and playing bars.
Carrying the torch of the Red Dirt pioneers who mentored them, and expanding the Stillwater-centric music scene to Austin, TX and eventually the national phenomenon we see now, Boland and his peers paved the way and made the blueprint for artists like the Turnpike Troubadours who have followed in their footsteps and continued to take the scene to new heights.
Jason Boland & the Stragglers are hitting the road hard over the next few months in support of The Last King of Babylon, so there are plenty of opportunities already scheduled to hear these songs live, and hopefully more to be announced as well. Boland and company put on an amazing live show, so you’re not going to want to miss out if they’re coming to a city near you.
Check out their tour dates below:
2/15 – Neon Moon Restaurant and Social Club – Yantis, TX
2/22 – Luckenbach Texas – Fredericksburg, TX
3/14 – The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill – Waco, TX
3/15 – Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX
3/20 – 3TEN ACL Live – Austin, TX
3/21 – Cactus Theater – Lubbock, TX
3/22 – The Liberty – Roswell, NM
3/28 – Midnight Rodeo – Springfield, MO
3/29 – HI-FI Indy – Indianapolis, IN
3/31 – El Club – Detroit, MI
4/1 – SPACE – Evanston, IL
4/2 – Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL
4/3 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
4/4 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO
4/5 – The Majestic – Fort Smith, OK
4/10 – Boone Pickens Stadium – Stillwater, OK*
4/11 – Boone Pickens Stadium – Stillwater, OK*
4/12 – Boone Pickens Stadium – Stillwater, OK*
4/13 – Boone Pickens Stadium – Stillwater, OK*
*Boys From Oklahoma w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed, Turnpike Troubadours, Stoney LaRue, The Great Divide/Mike McClure Band
