Music Review: Joe Pug, Windfall

By Melissa Bratcher

Austin-based indie folkster Joe Pug has weathered a lot of comparisons to Dylan in his career: his lyrics; the unusual timbre of his voice; his gently strummed, chiming guitar. All of the necessary ingredients are here, though on his latest, Windfall, vocally he sounds surprisingly like Jakob Dylan (which, let’s face it: Bob sings like a rusting hinge).

But Joe Pug is his own man. Windfall is chock full of songs about working men and struggle and hope. These are songs for back roads and night driving, songs with evocative stories and and an uplifting undercurrent, songs that whisper, “There is always hope.”

“Veteran Fighter” is one of those keeping the faith songs. Over restful piano and a markedly resigned quality in the verses, the chorus of “Don’t back down yet/it’ll get brighter/stand your ground/like a veteran fighter” is a buoyant ear worm. A fine piano melody swells under the acoustic guitar on “Bright Beginnings.” Pug’s voice has an emotional rawness to it; he doesn’t seem to be the sort of singer that hides behind artifice.

Windfall is a very quiet record. Hushed melodies over acoustic guitar, a bit of piano, and the occasional electric guitar bit make for an intimate listen. That’s not to say that there aren’t moments that break out of that mold. “The Measure,” with its pronounced drums and forceful electric guitar, has a bit of fire, and the sentiment, “All we lost is nothing to what we found.” “Great Hosannas” could be from another record entirely with couplets of modern existence (“Would-be authors/erstwhile sinners/costume jewelry/ballpark vendors” and “Wishful thinking/best intentions/friendship based on/chain link fences”) over a ponderous beat. It’s evocative and spare with sorrowful harmonica.

Pug’s just-enough-rasp voice is nicely suited to the updated sea shanty of “O My Chesapeake.” He’s joined by a female vocalist on the chorus and their voices mix well. The lyrics are modern, and it’s not a pastiche of a shanty, it’s an honest update, both muted and strong. “Windfallen” finds Pug stepping into another character’s shoes (an aging cowboy?) while borrowing Gordon Lightfoot’s voice. It’s uncanny. On the inspiring “If I Can’t Be Found,” he sounds rather like Cat Stevens. It’s a song about not giving up, “If it’s not around this corner/it’s around the next” but “if still it can’t be found/it’s probably for the best” which is as good a philosophy as I can think of. It’s a richer, more complex song.

Windfall doesn’t hide behind over-production. It’s simple and straightforward with little adornment. Joe Pug doesn’t need subterfuge. He wears his heart bravely on his sleeve. On Windfall, there is no doubt about Pug’s talent and integrity.

Windfall was release on March 10 by Lightning Rod Records.

Tour Dates:
3/14/15 in Norman, OK at Opolis
3/16/15 in Albuquerque, NM at Low Spirits
3/17/15 in Phoenix, AZ at Valley Bar
3/18/15 in San Diego, CA at The Casbah
3/19/15 in Los Angeles, CA at Echo
3/20/15 in San Francisco, CA at The Independent
3/22/15 in Eugene, OR at Sam Bond’s Garage
3/25/15 in Bellingham, WA at The Green Frog
3/26/15 in Vancouver, Canada at Electric Owl
3/27/15 in Seattle, WA at The Crocodile
3/28/14 in Portland, OR at the Aladdin Theatre
3/29/15 in Spokane, WA at The Bartlett
3/30/15 in Missoula, MT at The Top Hat
4/1/15 in Salt Lake City, UT at The State Room
4/3/15 in Denver, CO at The Bluebird
4/4/15 in Kansas City, MO at The Record Bar
4/7/15 in St. Louis, MO at The Firebird
4/9/15 in St. Paul, MN at The Turf Club
4/10/15 in Madison, WI at High Noon Saloon
4/11/15 in Chicago, IL at The Vic Theatre
4/22/15 in Indianapolis, IN at HIFI
4/23/15 in Nashville, TN at The High Watt
4/24/15 in Carrboro, NC at The Cat’s Cradle
4/25/15 in Asheville, NC at The Grey Eagle
4/26/15 in Charlottesville, VA at The Southern
4/29/15 in Philadelphia, PA at Boot and Saddle
4/30/15 in Boston, MA at Brighton Music Hall
5/1/15 in New York, NY at The Bowery Ballroom
5/2/15 in Washington, DC at 9:30 Club
5/5/15 in Pittsburgh, PA at Club Café
5/6/15 in Cleveland, OH at The Beachland Tavern
5/7/15 in Buffalo, NY at The Ninth Ward
5/9/15 in Ann Arbor, MI at The Blind Pig
5/10/15 in Columbus, OH at Rumba Cafe
5/13/15 in Fayetteville, AR at George’s Majestic
5/14/15 in Dallas, TX at Club Dada
5/15/15 in Houston, TX at Fitzgerald’s
5/16/15 in Austin, TX at Red 7
6/3/15 in London, UK at St. Pancras Old Church
6/6/15 in London, UK at Hoxton Bar
6/18/15 in Dover, DE at Firefly Music Festival
7/31/15 in Des Moines, IA at Hinterland Music Festival