Yarn's Come On In Shows a Life Unraveling
As a younger man, I really wanted to move to New York City but I never did. Instead I stuck around Nashville to write about country music and I don't regret that decision. But when I listen to the new album from Yarn, a promising alt-country band from Brooklyn, I can get a sense of how my life there would have turned out -- frustrating, lonely and lost. In other words, I love New York but I'm so easygoing that it would devour me if I lived there. The band's new album, Come On In, finds its primary singer-songwriter Blake Christiana living a fairly empty existence. But he's not whiny, focusing instead on letting his stories unravel through the details. When he sings that the bars don't look too friendly tonight, you get the feeling that you've just walked into the same place -- one of those joints where everybody else is having fun, but you can just tell that you wouldn't. Christiana has said life on the road and a couple of break-ups affected the way Come On In turned out. Listening to the bummer lyrics, you can tell. Still, I really like this album, especially the shuffling title track. And if you're drawn to sad country-sounding songs, you might like to spin Yarn, too.
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J.J. says:
I’ve been known to love me a sad country song but a whole album full? The title is a bit deceiving. “Come on In” the water’s fine. Or “Come on In” and sit a spell. Conjures up a more contented feeling if you just go by words alone.
Admittedly I haven’t heard the songs in their entirety, just the 30 second a piece versions but I don’t think I’ll be downloading any of these. Too bad really because the band is quite good. If that’s the way NYC him feel, maybe he oughtta get away for a while.
aburtch says:
‘Come on in’ is an excellent example of alt-country / roots rock done well. The pacing, instrumentation and overall sound are great.
I think the reviewer is too focused on the lyrics. Maybe I’m more focused on the music, but it’s a great album.
If you are looking for happier lyrics, check out the band’s previous release ‘Empty Pockets.’ The themes there are a little more diverse.
teri d says:
I am not a big fan of sad country songs, or even most country for that matter, but these guys are an exception. While there are a few songs on this cd that are a bit to country for me, it also has one of my all time favorite yarn songs - abilene (oh my, just the mandolin alone makes me listen to that over and over). So - don’t judge until you listen to the whole thing. Also, I think their first two albums are even better, there’s not a song on either that I don’t like. For a group that is often decribed as playing sad songs, they sure make me feel good when i listen :)
Glenn says:
Yarn is an outstanding party band! their concerts are like private partys, you feel like you are at a Dead show sometimes when they jam and jam, and their openness with the audience makes them very accessible. They are a ton of fun and very talented and entertaining musicians, and next to Bruce Springsteen, the hardest working music act i’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing live. Their lyrics make me laugh, mostly, even the “sad” ones. they are so much better than the commercial country crap that’s peddled nowadays. raw and real.
Suzanne says:
I’m not a country fan but i love Yarn - Hendryx is an amazing mandolin player - the live shows are a blast. I think whoever thinks the songs are to sad is taking things too seriously! Yarn ROCKS
Manjit says:
Craig Shelburne missed the mark on this one. These songs tell stories that are about anything but “living an empty existence”. But aside from that, the album’s got really well crafted lyrics and sweetly timed music, which is really the point isn’t it? Craig, it’s okay if songs make you feel sad. It’s even okay if you cry a little. Really.