Well, he’s done it again.
Legendary Red Dirt artist Jason Boland is back with his highly anticipated brand new record the Last Kings of Babylon, and while I don’t believe there was ever any concern for the contrary, this new album makes it abundantly clear that he’s still got it.
A strong follow up to their acclaimed alien abduction concept record The Light Saw Me that was released in 2021, The Last Kings of Babylon marks the band’s 11th studio record, and comes more than 25 years after the release of their iconic debut project Pearl Snaps in 1999. Sonically, the record features hard driving country rock songs, slower songwriter ballads, honky tonk heaters, and everything in between, and is anchored by Boland’s distinct vocals that have drawn him comparisons to Waylon Jennings throughout his career.
“Our music has always been rooted in the folk tradition. But with this album we figured out how to bring a little more power and intensity to the songs. We’ve reached another level as performers where we can push ourselves and our instruments while still staying true to who we are, which is a really exciting place to be.”
With 7 of the 10 songs written or co-written by Boland himself, the album acts as a prime showcase for his songwriting prowess, and follows a general theme as a reflection upon Boland’s life on the road over the years as a career, and the experiences, relationships, and lessons learned along the way. At a time when Red Dirt is almost ubiquitous in country music and the scene has a further reach than ever before, Boland’s decision to pay homage to two of the scene’s pioneers adds to the magnitude of the project as well.
The album’s 7th track, “Ain’t No Justice,” was originally written by an Oklahoma artist named Randy Crouch and was included on his 1995 album It’s Too Bad. Crouch played the fiddle in one of Red Dirt’s first bands, the aptly named Red Dirt Rangers. Moreover, the 10th and final track on Boland’s new project, “Buffalo Returns to the Plains,” is a bit of a cult classic that was originally written by the late Jimmy LaFave and included as the title track on his 1995 record of the same name. Both Crouch and LaFave had a considerable impact on Boland and his Red Dirt peers like Stony LaRue and Cody Canada, and these covers he chose fit perfectly within the ethos of the whole The Last Kings of Babylon project.
“This album is a mirror. It’s a retrospective, a reflection of everywhere we’ve been and everything we’ve learned over the last 25 years on the road. These songs are about the journey. We were searching for something when we started this band, and we’re still out there searching for it now.”
I could sit here and continue to ramble on about how amazing this album is, but the proof is in the music itself, so go ahead and listen to a few early favorites:
“Next to Last Hank Williams”
“Take Me Back to Austin”
“Ain’t No Justice”
“Buffalo Return To the Plains”
What an album.
Jason Boland & the Stragglers are hitting the road hard this year in support of the new album, so there are plenty of opportunities already scheduled to hear these songs live. 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.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers Tour Dates:
3/14 – The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill – Waco, TX^
3/15 – Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX^
3/20 – Waterloo Records – Austin, 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*
4/25 – Las Palmas Race Park – Mission, TX+
5/3 – Spur Arena – San Angelo, TX
5/9 – 2920 Roadhouse – Hockley, TX
5/10 – East Texas State Fair – Tyler, TX~
5/16 – High Horse Saloon – Texas City, TX
5/17 – Camp Margaritaville – Crystal Beach, TX
5/30 – Grizzly Rose – Denver, CO
6/7 – Warren’s Backyard – Granbury, TX
6/20 – Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee – Stockdale, TX!
6/21 – The Arcadia Live Theatre – Kerrville, TX
6/27 – Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall – Plano, TX
7/19 – Finney County Fairgrounds – Garden City, KS#
7/26 – Red River Station – Saint Jo, TX
9/10 – Born & Raised Music Festival – Pryor, OK~
^w/ Jeremy Pinnell
=In store performance and album signing
*Boys From Oklahoma w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed, Turnpike Troubadours, Stoney LaRue, The Great Divide/Mike McClure Band
+w/ Rustic Rose, Southern Ashes
!w/ Logan Ryan Band
#w/ Aaron Watson
~festival date
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