William Tyler has unveiled an album trailer for his fourth album ‘Modern Country’, due for release by Merge Records on June 3rd. In contrast to his last album, Impossible Truth (2013), this new release explores more focused melodic themes ‘closer in spirit to Neu!, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, and Bill Frisell.’
The album was inspired by Tyler’s criss-crossing of America and the unease of a modern society. “We stand at the precipice of the twilight of empire, the decline of so many national institutions…and the vanishing of certainness.”
In his own words the album is is a “love letter to what we’re losing in America, to what we’ve already lost.” Whilst the America he loves is fading, it can still be found in the “fringes of the countryside and the static of the airwaves.” This is neither a message of optimism or pessimism “but rather a calm and measured commentary in our age of anxiety.”
Backing him are multi-instrumentalist Phil Cook (Hiss Golden Messenger, Blind Boys of Alabama), bassist Darin Gray (Tweedy, Jim O’Rourke), and percussionist Glenn Kotche (Wilco).
Willy T’s got the vampire blues. And there’s only one like him. MC Taylor
If you’re curious about the music that Tyler enjoys (I’m pretty sure this is only scratchin’ the surface) then check this mixtape he put together back in January prior to going out on tour with Wilco:
01. Jacques Thollot-Quand le son devient aigu, jeter la girafe a le mer
02.Spike Drivers-I Can’t Stand the Pain
03. Glen Campbell-If These Walls Could Speak
04. Chris Thompson-Where is My Wild Rose
05. Dr. John-Everybody Wants to Get Rich Right Away
06. Grateful Dead-Liberty 3/30/94
07. Big Boy Cleveland-Quill Blues
08. Miles Davis-Splashdown
09. Rupert’s People-Hold On
10. International Harvester-Sleep Tight Rose Marie
11. Reverend JM Gates-Must Be Born Again
12.Beach Boys-Steamboat
13. Jaunita Rogers and Lynn Hollings-I’m So Glad You Love Me
14. Popol Vuh-The Great War
15. Grateful Dead-Cosmic Charlie 1/25/69
16. Paul Ortega-Four Ways
17. Joe Callicot-Roll and Tumble
18. The Majestic Arrows-Going to Make a Time Machine
19. Mack Porter-The Seventh House