In his newest album, Age of the Ram, Charley Crockett once again takes us back in time. From western sounds and imagery, to beautifully crafted lyrics and storytelling, Crockett released an instant piece of musical art onto our laps on April 3.
Crockett released two songs from the album over the past month, those being Kentucky Too Long and Fastest Gun Alive. Both of those songs were more upbeat and sounded like the usual groovy Crockett track.
Something is different about this album though as a whole. Throughout the 20 songs, Crockett takes us on a journey through the eyes of a fictional character named Billy McLane. The first song on the concept album, titled Life & Times Of Billy McLane, ends with the sound of film starting to run, signaling Crockett will soon take us on a western journey.
McLane, a bandit on the run, experiences things like becoming the fastest gun alive, shooting bandit Jesse James and having run-ins with women and the law.
Sprinkled throughout the album are the sounds of horses galloping or conversations that serve as perfect transitions into the other songs.
The range of emotions in the album is something that stood out as well. In one of the songs, Me & Shooter, the tempo is very quick and upbeat.
Shooter, being the producer, Shooter Jennings, the son of outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings.
Then in Diamond Belle, the mood switches. With this, the listener can assume that Billy McLane is coming toward the end of his journey.
“Lord, I’m just a country boy with trouble on my mind, and a lawman close behind, now they are coming after, like I always knew they would.”
This album as a whole, was a very different approach for Crockett. He stayed true to his sound, but it took a twist by adding a storyline to the album, something that not a lot of artists do.