Tyler Childers, Rustin’ In The Rain | Album Review 💿

On his brief 2023 album, Rustlin’ In The Rain, Grammy-nominated country musician Tyler Childers delivers a tour de force, never missing the mark.

Country music has had a huge year in 2023 – an understatement! Who saw this coming? Not me! Adding to country’s dominant year is another, incredibly talented country musician dropping a new album: 🎙 Tyler Childers.  Mr. Childers hails from my home state, The Bluegrass state, aka Kentucky. With his brief, seven-track, 28-minute project, 💿 Rustin’ In The Rain, the 🏆 Grammy-nominated artist easily delivers one of the best albums of 2023.  Childers NEVER misses the mark.

“Rustin’ In The Rain” 

“I am yours to use / And I sure wish you would use me / Do not let my heart just fall apart / Rustlin’ in the rain.” Tyler Childers initiates Rustin’ In The Rain with a banger: 🤩 🎵 “Rustin’ In The Rain”! Woo! The track features a marvelous arrangement and production, with the guitar and old-school, Honky Tonk-ish piano standing out the most.  With its epic instrumental riffs, terrific soloing (guitar and piano), and vintage backdrop, “Rustin’ In The Rain” clearly hearkens to the country music of the past.  That said, this neo-traditionalist approach sounds quite refreshing in 2023. The biggest selling point is Childers, who gives his all on this high-energy opener.  He sounds expressive and incredibly nuanced. In addition to his voice, the production, and terrific songwriting, a key modulation only adds fuel to the fire of this masterful track.

Tyler Childers continues to shine on the triple meter gem 🤩 🎵 “Phone Calls and Emails.”  “It’s so unnervin’, to get no reply,” he sings in the first verse, continuing, “To the phone calls and emails / I’m sendin’ to you.” Unnervin’ it may be, but the chill, lazy vibes served up on “Phone Calls and Emails” are utterly celestial. Once more, the sound and vibe are intentionally reminiscent of the country of the past.  “Phone Calls and Emails” is rich in piano and guitar, with both instruments crucial to the retro sounds. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Tyler spoils us with more elite vocals, tuneful melodies, and ample space for the instrumentalists to have their moment in the spotlight too.

“Luke 2:8-10”

Every country album needs some scripture, right? Well, Tyler Childers reads scripture in the intro of 🎵 “Luke 2:8-10,” accompanied by music.  “Luke 2:8-10” benefits from its lilting feel, with the continuation of utterly sublime instrumental riffs.  The band is connected, PERIOD. A catchy, melodious chorus is the centerpiece: “Daniel, get up, gather the sheep / Tell them there’s no time to sleep / My God, it’s the end of the world.” Woo! Rustin’ In The Rain continues its impressive run with 🤩 🎵 “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” famously penned and originally recorded by 🎙 🎼 ✍ Kris Kristofferson.  The definitive version belongs to 🎙 Sammi Smith who won earned pop success and won a 🏆 Grammy for her performance.  Childers brings his own magic to this oft-covered classic, led by his expressive, powerful vocals. Once more, there are plenty of notable instrumental moments beyond vocals including a fabulous guitar solo, and some prominent left-hand piano lines. This may be an oldie, but it sounds incredibly fresh in Tyler’s hands.

🤩 🎵 “Percheron Mules” is one of the most fun moments of Rustin’ In The Rain hands down. There is a foot tapping groove that’s infectious from the get-go.  Following the balladry of  🎵 “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Percheron Mules” brings welcome contrast with its quick tempo.  Once more, the band wows with its proficiency, including the use of accordion.  The solos continue to be epic – that pianist 🎹 is on fire 🔥.  The colorful songwriting is among the biggest reasons for this song’s success.  The best part is the chorus, a true treat with its call and response approach.

“Mammoth Jacks and Percheron mares (Mammoth Jacks and Percheron mares)

Grazin’ up and down my dreams

Nothin’ less than sixteen hands (Sixteen hands, sixteen hands)

I don’t wanna drag my feet (He don’t wanna drag his feet).” 

“In Your Love”

“It’s a long hard war / Ah, but I can grin and bear it,” Childers sings, continuing, “‘Cause I know what the hell I’m fightin’ for / And I will wait for you.” Childers wows on 🤩 🎵 “In Your Love”, the promo single from Rustin’ In The Rain.  LOVE is the big takeaway on this ballad penned with 🎼 ✍ Geno Seale.  The protagonist is willing to fight for love – give his all for the person he loves (“You’re the finest thing around / So I will stand my ground”).  Childers’ voice remains a force.  The authenticity that he performs with truly makes the listener buy what he is selling. The chorus is the crème de la crème:  

“We were never made to run forever  

We were just meant to go long enough  

To find what we were chasin’ after  

I believe I found it here  

In your love.” 

A piano ballad initially, the instrumentation expands to include an idiomatic country sound palette. With the excellence of the song firmly established lyrically, musically, and vocally, the bold, stunning music video deserves mention –  a gay love story between two miners that perfectly parallels the songwriting. Haynes told Ann Powers of NPR he was inspired to do the music video by his older cousin, who is gay. Honestly, the video, which shows a marvelous love story, but ends sadly 😭, is refreshing from country music. With 🎵 “In Your Love”, Childers delivers one of the very best songs of 2023 – a perfect example of putting more acceptance, love, and respect in the world rather than judgement.     

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: August 2023

Childers closes Rustin’ In The Rain as superbly as he commences it with 🎵 “Space and Time”: “I never wanna leave this world / Without sayin’, ‘I love you’ / Without  sayin’ what you mean to me / You know you make me happy.” The tempo is slow, but there is no lack of energy. Once again, the band plays a pivotal role in the track’s success – gotta love that piano ostinato! Still, those killer lead vocals by Childers – gritty and raw – are the facet of the song to beat. 

Final Thoughts 💭 

💿 Rustin’ In The Rain is merely seven tracks deep and runs just 28 minutes.  That’s not a lot of material.  Even so, Tyler Childers makes every track, and every minute worthwhile.  There are no miscues to be found.  The music is incredible. The vocals – also incredible.  The songwriting – also, also incredible.  When it comes to Rustin’ In The Rain, it’s easily one of the best albums of 2023.

🤩 Gems 💎: “Rustin’ In The Rain,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “Percheron Mules”  & “In Your Love”

🎙 Tyler Childers • 💿 Rustin’ In The Rain • 🏷 Hickman Holler / RCA • 🗓 9.8.23

[📷: Hickman Holler / RCA]