Adam Yount – Butcher Songs
Adam Yount’s “Butcher Songs” delivers a collection of songs full of heart and folksy wisdom. The musicianship is top notch with enough fiddle, mandolin and sweet picking to pull you in and and strong lyrics to keep you engaged as a listener.
The rollicking River Raft is a terrific opener, evoking Mark Twain and setting the stage for Yount’s deliciously understated humor with lines like “Gonna build me an old time river raft, roll right off of the side when I need a bath.”
“Ordinary” is my favorite cut, a powerful indictment against conformity set against a haunting bass line and gypsy mandolin. The song is perfectly delivered with a stinging contempt for all things ordinary.
There are a number of songs that explore why we choose the work we choose. In “Good Enough for Me” the work was handed down by a beloved grandfather, “If its good enough for him, then it’s good enough for me. Let me work this ground till my fingers bleed.” In the case of “Butcher Song” the choice of occupation is a matter of simple economics. As he explains “I became a butcher cause i didn’t mind the gore. I think I’ll join the plumbing trade, it pays twenty dollars more.” Point being I am more than the work I choose.
My favorite of the work-related songs would be “Diamond Drill,” a bittersweet ballad about the life of a hard rock miner doing what needs to be done to put food on the table for his family.
There is a lot of playfulness to be found in these tracks. “Cockwalk” is another personal favorite with it’s carefree attitude and infectious chorus. The lone instrumental track, “Uncle Mike’s Cabin,” is a nice ride. “Yeah Right” is angry fun and one of the most satisfying moments on this record comes in the chorus. Be forewarned, the vocal has a lot of bite.