Joe Henry – Blood From Stars

The sound on Joe Henry’s Blood From Stars is not an easy thing to describe. A rich variety of instruments and vocals take this album from just another blues record to a whole other level.

Henry, who has produced albums for artists like Aimee Mann, Ani DiFranco and Elvis Costello, took his best professional game and applied it in his own work. One of the richest tracks, “The Man I Keep Hid,” showcases Henry’s use of the timeless sound of piano, trumpet, and overall swag.

In “Bellwether” Henry uses his lyrics to really drive the song forward. He repeats lines like “I’m gonna leave my shame where I make my bed” and “I’m gonna carry your letter by my side” to build the track to a dramatic climax of heavy drums, guitar and saxophone.

At first listen Blood From Stars may be a little too heavy for some, but appreciation for what Henry has done to create such an emotional collection of lyrics and music soon takes over. “All Blues Hail Mary” and “Death To The Storm” really punch the listener in the gut with themes of death and lost love.

However, the album really shines its best with rainy instrumental tracks like “Over Her Shoulder” and “Prelude: Light No Lamp When The Sun Comes Down,” which are both good offsets to the heavier content in the album. Because these couple of songs have no vocals at all, their soft piano and sax pieces give the album a more balanced listen that hits from all sides.

Blood From Stars brings a timeless sound that could be easily heard back in the Sinatra years, today and even tomorrow.

Label: Anti
Release Date: 08/18/09

-Matthew Anderson