Songs of Townes Van Zandt Vol. III – Amenra, Cave In, Marissa Nadler

Review Written By: Levi Gogerla

Birthed in 2012; Songs of Townes Van Zandt – a musical collaboration between Neurot recordings and My Proud Mountain has given underground artists a platform to feature the works of the world-renowned and legendary songwriter: the late, great, Townes Van Zandt.  Songs of Townes Van Zandt Vol. III features nine new renditions of the western troubadour’s American songbook as interpreted by Amenra, Cave In, and Marissa Nadler.

This ongoing series highlights, strangely enough, the heavy metal genre of music above all others.  From the initial compositional outing featuring Scott Kelly, (Neurosis) and the melancholy crooning of Scott “Wino” Weinrich, (Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan), Songs of Townes Van Zandt Vol. III continues to explore those same dark recesses of the great American storybook while offering heavier artists the chance to explore their interpersonal creative foundations.

Within these nine tracks, the artists offer picturesque glimpses into the inner workings of an artist’s longing, regret, and life in a story. These tracks are distorted, and often dissonant but still retain Towne’s fundamental gospel truths about the human condition.  Songs of Townes Van Zandt Vol. III is a record that is enhanced by the dissonance of its underground artists but might be off-putting to country music purists.  The subtle nuances of extreme music mesh uniquely with the lush stark deliveries of Towne’s prose. This is a tribute series that flourishes, despite genre purists. It’s a record that amplifies the pungent expression and innermost dietary works of the poet in question.

Listeners are transported not only to the forefront of American roots storytelling but are simultaneously transposed to the quant and captivating imagination of an artist’s innermost lonesomeness, love, and spirit, immaculately cherished. The small recollections of the human condition underline each individual track and stand as a testament to Townes genre-defying lyrical delivery.  This series of tribute to a long-lost figure in country music storytelling help elevate one’s appreciation for roots music as a whole and helps one see the similarities one can express within the constraints of genre.