I have to admit that prior to the press release from Broken Jukebox Media hitting my inbox I was not familiar with Terry Klein.  Based on that lack of knowledge I was not sure what to expect from an album titled Hill Country Folk Music.  It is set to drop November 7th but I had the good fortune to get a sneak peek.  There are many avenues down the folk highway so I hit play to find out which one this album was traveling along. 

The lead-off track here is “Try” which comes in nice and easy with country music slow-dance vibes and a catchy mandolin accompaniment.  Klein’s vocals are earnest and direct, telling a simple but poignant story of keeping on through adversity.  It almost has a defiant tone about overcoming challenges.  There is also an alternate version of this song (“Try Again”) as the final selection on the album which changes the energy from hopeful to weary and worn out.  It is an interesting study in the ways a tune can be molded by an artist though musical composition and vocal delivery.  

That song is followed by “I Used to Be Cool” which is the first single and already available to stream.  It has a different style than “Try” with guitars right away and a subtle drum – kind of an alt-county feel.  The topic here is what you might expect (getting older and associated things) but told with some heartfelt nostalgia.  

Nine more tracks follow and one of the most interesting things about all of them collectively is that these range in style, tone and pace.  You get a good mix of the two styles already mentioned above along with some Americana, bluegrass and one that could easily fit in a pop song rotation.  I think it is mission accomplished for Klein who is quoted as saying this about how he thinks is regard to song mix on his albums: 

“I scrupulously avoid making my records all one thing, all one sound.  Dynamics are important.”

This is an engaging album that keeps you on your toes throughout and delivers good songs while telling stories about real people, their lives and experiences.  

Check that single out on your favorite streaming channel – and let me know your thoughts about it – music makes for good conversation 🙂 

And if you have the inclination …think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

You can keep an eye out for any pre-order / pre-save info that might come out via Klein’s website terrykleinmusic.com

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