Turning the Clock Forward

East Tennessee songwriter Will Carter seems to have emerged out of nowhere with his talent fully formed. It’s hard to believe that Half Past Heartache is his first album, especially considering the fact that the songs are so well written, constructed with such finesse and sung with purely convincing resolve. With all that going for him, it would be easy to believe that this is the work of an artist whose track record extends back several years, or maybe make that several decades as well. Regret and remorse is evident in weary ballads like “Cadillac” and “I Love You So,” but there’s plenty of grit in these grooves as well. When Carter reminds his ex that he’s got “Better Things to Think About Than You,” he sings so convincingly there’s little doubt that he clearly had moved on. On the other hand, the rugged, restless plea of “Come Home Tonight” and the earnestly rambling “Still Hanging On Somehow” reflect the vulnerability that seems to consistently reside just below the surface. 

Truth be told, Half Past Heartache boasts so many standouts that it’s almost impossible to single out any one song, but suffice it to say his duet with Valerie Buckner on “Playing House” would likely make Johnny and June share sincere satisfaction. The fact that Carter produced this effort himself and played practically all the instruments, other than bass, drums and percussion (credited to Caleb Beckner, Jordan Merritt and Daniel Del Los Reyes), adds an extra measure of awe when it comes to Carter’s accomplishments. A superb foray into realms of lost love and the desire for second chances, Half Past Heartbreak makes for one of the most tender and telling break-up albums one might ever encounter. Credit Carter for sharing such personal sentiments and for expressing them with such skill and savvy. Congrats, Will. This ought to help you get the girl!