Justin Townes Earle – “Can’t Hardly Wait”
Posted on | December 1, 2009 | 2 Comments
1. Taking on a song by the Replacements and hoping to replicate any measure of Paul Westerberg’s world-weariness is a great task. Justin Townes Earle’s cover of “Can’t Hardly Wait”, from his most recent release Midnight at the Movies, steers clear of that, adding a clattering, homespun rhythm that mirrors the feeling of speeding towards home. Earle adds just enough grit to his baritone croon to let the listener know that the road-worn lyrics are personal to him as well.
2. Earle’s ability to distill Westerberg’s amplified original version works to great effect, with former sideman Cory Younts’ mandolin anchoring the iconic hook. Westerberg’s jagged imagery fits in well with Earle’s traveling barroom ethic, from the “lights that flash in the evening” to the “ashtray floors”. Though the narrator seems to have a million excuses for writing letters, nothing seems to connect him to home like simply shutting his eyes.
3. Though Justin Townes Earle bears the name of two country legends, his eagerness to explore other styles of music, both with this choice and the soul leanings of Midnight at the Movies. Set to release another album (his third in three years) at the end of 2010, his star continues to rise as both a writer and an interpreter.
Justin Townes Earle – Can’t Hardly Wait
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2 Responses to “Justin Townes Earle – “Can’t Hardly Wait””
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December 1st, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
I was just thinking about this song this morning. I’ve had the mandolin line suck in my head since March.
December 1st, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
Where you hear grit, I hear polish; Earle sounds like he can hold a pen tonight. But any love for Westerberg and the Replacements is always appreciated.