Band: William Elliott Whitmore
Album title: Field Songs
Label: Anti Records - Epitaph
Distributor: PIAS
Release date: 11/07/2011
Release: CD

Johnny Cash was one of the first artists to prove that acoustic music can be as much a slap in your face as loud guitars are. William Elliott Whitmore is another artist who proves the same thing.
On the brand new album of this troubadour, called Field Songs, you can hear one man with just his guitar as a support (with sometimes the beat of a drum). While listening, you would quickly refer to folk or country music, but it's much more than that. This man uses this kind of music to express protest, protest against the destruction of the beauty of nature. This protest, this anger, can definitely be heard in the way he uses his voice to sing these songs.
As an inspiration to write his lyrics, he used the struggle which he endured in his own life on his family's farm along the Mississippi River.
Another nice element about this album are the background sounds which you hear in all songs. By having added these sounds, you get the feeling that you're actually in the field, listening to this man's work, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
At this time, William Elliott Whitmore is touring the US as support of Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell, a perfect match if you ask me.

92/100

Nick Tronckoe.