Music Review: Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls, A Season Undone

By Melissa Bratcher

Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls bear the trappings of the catch-all Americana label: banjos, mandolin, a gruff-voiced lead singer, excellent guitar with the occasional wildcard instrument (accordion, horns, kazoo—it’s been a very good year for the kazoo, musically). But the strain of Americana they play is filtered through the sometimes harsh light of L.A. There’s a grittiness to the music, a feeling of mid-1980s Sunset Strip crawling in the heavy guitar solos, and an anthemic quality that permeates many of the tracks on their second release, A Season Undone.

The title track sets the tone. Rousing, but with a dark edge, it swells with a catchy melody and the sentiment “Our souls are shining brighter than the sun.” The next song, “ We Came To Work,” marries accordion with chunky guitar. It’s heavy, despite light touches of twinkling piano and mandolin, with a big, arena-friendly, sing-along chorus that feels like a drinking song. A pair of tracks, “All The Fighters” and “Evolution Now,” make a sturdy backbone for the latter half of the album. “All The Fighters” is fist pumping, feeling a bit like a lost song from The Call. “Evolution Now” is an uptempo call to arms and change, and is bright and banjo driven.

On the world weary and careworn “Time Don’t Heal Nothin’,” the timbre of Heath’s growly tenor sounds like a marriage of Randy Newman and Elvis Costello. “Armageddon Town” is wonderful, a triumphant, easy swing with layers of guitar from Justin Salmons and some delicious, muted trumpet. Farayi Dominique and Laura Key add rich, soulful backup vocals. The track has an enormous sound and bears repeated listens. “The Secret Fire” has a relaxed vibe, an easy sway with brushed drums from Abraham Etz and Casey Johnson. A warm campfire ballad, it showcases a band working well together. It’s not a flashy song, but is a lovely, fine piece of work.

What didn’t work as well (for this reviewer) was “Turn On (The Radio),” with Heath’s vocals filtered through effects, which is a waste. He’s got an unique, gritty voice that should be celebrated, not hidden. The track is a little ’80s light-metal cheesy. It wouldn’t be out of place playing over the end credits of a movie that perhaps starred Lea Thompson. Coupled with the ballad “Everything But A Man” which has a familiar melody (you can actually sing “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” over the chorus), it makes for a worrisome pair. They’re a better band than this, and every other track on A Season Undone bears that out.

On A Season Undone, Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls explore love, revolution, and loss. There is a ribbon of fine musicianship that runs through the album. The songwriting, too, is fine, with some excellent turns of phrase tied up in smart melodies.

A Season Undone will be released from Industrial Amusement on September 11.