''Windfall'' is
Joe Pug
Joe Pug (born Joseph Pugliese, April 20, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter from Greenbelt, Maryland. He has released two Extended play, EPs, as well as the albums ''Messenger (Joe Pug Album), Messenger'', ''The Great Despiser'', ''Windfall ...
's third album. Pug cites more contemporary influences for this album, including
Josh Ritter
Josh Ritter (born October 21, 1976) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and author who performs and records with the Royal City Band. Ritter is known for his distinctive Americana style and narrative lyrics. In 2006, he was named one of ...
,
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams (born November 5, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, artist, and poet. He has released 23 albums, as well as three studio albums as a former member of alt-country band Whiskeytown.
In 2000, Adams left ...
, and
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward (born October 4, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Portland, Oregon. Ward's solo work is a mixture of folk and blues-inspired Americana analog recordings; he has released ten studio albums since 19 ...
.
However, Pug's trademark literary influences are still present: the chorus of "The Measure," which repeats, "all we've lost is nothing to what we've found" is inspired by a quote by
Frederick Buechner
Carl Frederick Buechner ( ; July 11, 1926 – August 15, 2022) was an American author, Presbyterianism, Presbyterian Minister (Christianity), minister, preacher, and theologian. The author of thirty-nine published books, his work encompassed d ...
's novel ''
Godric''.
Reception
The album met positive reviews, with ''Paste Magazine'' rating it 7.6/10, adding: "In lesser hands, songs of this nature could take on the tone of self-help books, maxims of dubious value. But Pug’s honesty and wordplay combine to levitate the songs over those empty, clichéd realms. And the straightforward, balanced arrangements of acoustic and electric guitars and upright bass, with occasional piano, harmonica and drums, drive the focus to Pug’s vocals."
The ''Lexington Herald-Leader'' praised the album's two-band approach as presenting an "elegiac, electric vitality" to the "unhurried solemnity" of the songs.
''Windfalls hopeful final track – "If Still It Can't Be Found," which featured
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup changed frequently dur ...
's Pat Sansone on mellotron – received particular acclaim, with a ''Rolling Stone'' review noting that "it showcases the singer's unique and achingly honest point of view that spins lyrics into folk poetry."
Track listing
# "Bright Beginnings" – 3:35
# "Veteran Fighter" – 3:37
# "Stay and Dance" – 3:31
# "The Measure" – 3:17
# "Great Hosannas" – 4:08
# "Burn and Shine" – 3:33
# "O My Chesapeake" – 5:10
# "Windfallen" – 3:08
# "Pair of Shadows" – 3:10
# "If Still It Can't Be Found" – 2:49
Personnel
*Joe Pug – acoustic guitar, harmonica, piano, vocals
*JT Bates – drums
*Emily Hagihara – percussion
*Tom Hnatow – pedal steel guitar, piano
*Cheyenne Mize – violin
*Pat Sansone – mellotron
*Matt Schuessler – bass
*Greg Tuohey – electric guitar
*Rose Guerin – vocal harmony
*Mark Charles Heidinger – vocal harmony
*Richard Dodd – mastering
*Duane Lundy – engineer, mixing, producer
References
{{Authority control
2015 albums
Joe Pug albums
Lightning Rod Records albums