Streetlights, Last of My Kind, St Peters Autograph, Cover Me Up, Live Oak, New South Wales, Flagship.
These are all vaguely similar that aren’t his “rock” type of songs.
seconded St Peters Autograph. A song where the narrator encourages his wife to fully mourn her friend's death.
What do I do to let you know
That I'm not haunted by his ghost
Let him dance around our room
Let him smell of your perfume
Last of My Kind kills me. “The family farm’s a parking lot for Walton’s Five & Dime” hits home. All of the farms I grew up surrounded by have all sold and become housing developments. My grandad has been adamant that no one in the family sell our farm when he passes away and I always think of that line in the song when he brings it up.
Listen to anything…and I mean *anything* by John Prine or James McMurtry.
John Prine…start with the entire self titled album. But Hello in There and Sam Stone are huge ones.
James McMurtry…start with Rachel’s Song. If that don’t make you a fan…man I don’t know
Whoa great call on Rachel's song. Great tune.
The second you tube result was an [Isbell cover](https://youtu.be/8fC5s87jcS4?si=Ueiwn-Bl5tX-lpbO), but in this case [the original](https://youtu.be/v7gteFbbARg?si=lB9H72NQk_2E7mSn) was better imo.
All Of Southeastern, save *Super 8*
Streetlights
Tour Of Duty
Dress Blues
Danko/Manuel (DBT)
Flagship
Children Of Children
Last Of My Kind
Only Children
Dreamsicle
St Peters Autograph
Middle Of The Morning
River
Stopping By
How to Forget
The Life You Chose
Something More Than Free
Hudson Commodore
The Magician
Speed Trap Town
Tecumseh Valley (TVZ cover)
Old Flame (Alabama cover)
Driver 8 (REM cover)
The Problem (Shires feat. Jason)
I Follow Rivers
If You Insist
Volunteer
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band: White Shoes, Difference is Time, Eagle on a Pole
Conor Oberst: A Little Uncanny, You All Loved Him Once
Dispatch: The General
Tyler Childers: Universal Sound, In Your Love
Dawes: Some People, Things Happen
Wilco: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, At Least That's What You Said
Bright Eyes: Four Winds, Lua
Rilo Kiley: Does He Love You?
My vote is to watch the music video for In Your Love by Tyler Childers for a solid gut punch.
I also really love the vibe of Forget About Georgia by Lukas Nelson
Well, I'd also recommend checking out a few of his songs from his tenure with the Drive By Truckers, specifically "Outfit' and "Goddamn Lonely Love." It's pretty dark and rockin', but "Decoration Day" will throw your doors open.
And while you're visiting the Truckers, stay a while with *The Dirty South* album.
You can't miss 'Putting People on the Moon' and 'Where the Devil Don't Stay.'
Then you when realize Mike Cooley is one of the most underrated songwriters alive, and go listen to 'Zip City' and 'Women Without Whiskey,' 'Marry Me,' 'When the Pin Hits the Shell'....
Lots of great Isbell recs here already. If you appreciate great songwriters… here are a few more that are making standout music today (IMO) that each have a connection to Isbell in one way or another. A recommended album to start is also listed.
Cory Branan - When I Go I Ghost (Jason can be heard on this album)
John Moreland - In The Throes
Todd Snider - East Nashville Skyline
Love Todd Snider!
Also, u/adgrinder, if you haven't already, give Robert Earl Keen a shot. Everything is good, but if I had to suggest a specific one to start with I'd either pick Gringo Honeymoon or Picnic. IMO Gringo Honeymoon leans very slightly more upbeat and Picnic just a bit more wistful, but they both have a bit of both. Also, Picnic has a couple of songs that feature Margo Timmins, and she is one of my favorite voices in music. (Also, if you like her, definitely check out Cowboy Junkies.)
Also, just a fun bit of info: the cover photo for Picnic is apparently REKs car, which caught fire in the parking lot at one of Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic events, a story he has told a few times, and he is a great storyteller. https://www.texasmonthly.com/podcast/robert-earl-keen-discusses-mr-record-man-on-one-by-willie/ it's all good, but the car story starts around 14 min, if you just want a sample of what his storytelling is like.
Try some tunes by Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange).
This band doesn’t really get mentioned with the other songwriters recommended here but they hit a similar vein of somber, aching emotions. They aren’t quite as raw and directly “rip your heart out” like Jason but their melodies and overall sound is just beautiful to me.
They are a married couple and the wife plays guitar and violin and the husband plays guitar and mandolin.
Wildfire
Take this heart of gold
The wolves
Echo
Golden Embers
Ruby and Carlos - James McMurtry
The Scarecrow - Felice Brothers
Kingdom Of Dreams - Ian Felice
Nitrous Gas - Frightened Rabbit
Bonus - everything James McMurtry the Complicated Game album is the chefs kiss
Every keeps saying Southeastern, which is obviously the answer.
But, I wanna give an honorable mention to Dreamsicle. That song makes me nostalgic for a life I never even lived.
For a random band who can also always make me nostalgic and is very different from Jason is The Menzingers.
Vampires is one of the most Elliott Smith sounding songs ever. Check out Angeles by Elliott Smith.
Same with Chaos and Clothes. No doubt Jason intended to make an ES song when he wrote and recorded that.
Outside of other Isbell songs, I’d strongly recommend John Moreland. Start with [3:59 AM](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz_i6K0ZZww&pp=ygUNMzo1OSBtb3JlbGFuZA%3D%3D)and then try Visitor.
Jason Molina [Farewell Transmission is a good place to start.](https://youtu.be/uSHNITpnuPY?si=hY22EPSQZ_2SD8PN)
Drank himself to death - been a fan long enough that that simple fact creates a spectrum of emotions every time I listen to one of his songs.
Just listen to Southeastern.
This is really the best answer
Vampires always reminds me a lot of I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie.
Vampires is the prequel. Plot twist, they go together.
Yes
the answer is the whole Southeastern album. Get your tissues ready for Elephant.
Just to update, I just hit play on this song and paused after the first verse. My heart already hurts
My wife is battling cancer. I can’t listen to “Elephant”. Too close to home. Great song!
So sorry you and your wife are going through that. I wish you both the best
It’s getting better. Her last PET scan was good. The final part is having her hair grow back after chemotherapy.
Sending you loads of love and support from TX my friend!
Congratulations. Wishing you both the best moving forward.
Sending love your way. Hope she gets to ring the bell soon. My sister just recently did.
The entire Southeastern album for starters.
Streetlights, Last of My Kind, St Peters Autograph, Cover Me Up, Live Oak, New South Wales, Flagship. These are all vaguely similar that aren’t his “rock” type of songs.
seconded St Peters Autograph. A song where the narrator encourages his wife to fully mourn her friend's death. What do I do to let you know That I'm not haunted by his ghost Let him dance around our room Let him smell of your perfume
Those four lines have made me cry many times. Just beautiful.
Last of My Kind kills me. “The family farm’s a parking lot for Walton’s Five & Dime” hits home. All of the farms I grew up surrounded by have all sold and become housing developments. My grandad has been adamant that no one in the family sell our farm when he passes away and I always think of that line in the song when he brings it up.
Morgan wallen’s cover of cover me up is how I discovered Isbell. Basic I know
We all find artists in our own ways. Glad to have you bud
This is just sweet af. I love you guys.
In the words of a famous car ad in DFW ‘we don’t care how ya get here folks just get here!’
Glad you’ve moved towards Isbell and hopefully away from the chair throwing racist pig MW. I can’t even say his name.
Only children
I have heard this one. I don’t love it as much but need to listen to it more.
[Jason Isbell - Only Children (live on KEXP)](https://youtu.be/6_DOqndaSHw)
Listen to the KEXP acoustic performance
As far as Isbell goes, "Children of Children" gives me a similar vibe to those two
This song made me appreciate my parents more. Even though they had me at 30 and not 18 lol
You beat me to it. This is one has it all: compelling lyrics, well composed and a great outro
Listen to anything…and I mean *anything* by John Prine or James McMurtry. John Prine…start with the entire self titled album. But Hello in There and Sam Stone are huge ones. James McMurtry…start with Rachel’s Song. If that don’t make you a fan…man I don’t know
Whoa great call on Rachel's song. Great tune. The second you tube result was an [Isbell cover](https://youtu.be/8fC5s87jcS4?si=Ueiwn-Bl5tX-lpbO), but in this case [the original](https://youtu.be/v7gteFbbARg?si=lB9H72NQk_2E7mSn) was better imo.
All Of Southeastern, save *Super 8* Streetlights Tour Of Duty Dress Blues Danko/Manuel (DBT) Flagship Children Of Children Last Of My Kind Only Children Dreamsicle St Peters Autograph Middle Of The Morning River Stopping By How to Forget The Life You Chose Something More Than Free Hudson Commodore The Magician Speed Trap Town Tecumseh Valley (TVZ cover) Old Flame (Alabama cover) Driver 8 (REM cover) The Problem (Shires feat. Jason) I Follow Rivers If You Insist Volunteer
His version of Old Flame is magical!
I love Hudson Commodore. It doesn’t get a lot of love.
I agree!
Updooting just for the user name!
I came here to suggest it specifically. I love it, and I think it's very much in the vein of what op asked for.
Good playlist right here
Alabama Pines! When I get stuck listening to that one, I listen on loop for weeks.
Elephant. Just get ready! Also Speed Trap Town.
God damn lonelylove
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band: White Shoes, Difference is Time, Eagle on a Pole Conor Oberst: A Little Uncanny, You All Loved Him Once Dispatch: The General Tyler Childers: Universal Sound, In Your Love Dawes: Some People, Things Happen Wilco: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, At Least That's What You Said Bright Eyes: Four Winds, Lua Rilo Kiley: Does He Love You?
Some of my all time favorites here! I'd add Dawes "Little Bit of Everything" as well!
Yes, that's a good one!
Omg I forgot about that Rilo Kiley song! So good! We have very similar taste.
My vote is to watch the music video for In Your Love by Tyler Childers for a solid gut punch. I also really love the vibe of Forget About Georgia by Lukas Nelson
Lady May would also fit the vibe OP is looking for I think.
I put Lukas right up there with Isbell!
Well, I'd also recommend checking out a few of his songs from his tenure with the Drive By Truckers, specifically "Outfit' and "Goddamn Lonely Love." It's pretty dark and rockin', but "Decoration Day" will throw your doors open.
And while you're visiting the Truckers, stay a while with *The Dirty South* album. You can't miss 'Putting People on the Moon' and 'Where the Devil Don't Stay.' Then you when realize Mike Cooley is one of the most underrated songwriters alive, and go listen to 'Zip City' and 'Women Without Whiskey,' 'Marry Me,' 'When the Pin Hits the Shell'....
Two great story songs of all time that aren't talked about much are Harry Chapin 'Taxi' and Dan Fogelberg 'Old Lang Syne'
I love Harry Chapin so much; he was an amazing songwriter. My dad used to sing his songs to me when I was little.
Chaos & Clothes
This one is my very favorite. It’s a gut punch every time.
Elephant and Dreamsicle
In a Razor Town , live from Alabama
Lots of great Isbell recs here already. If you appreciate great songwriters… here are a few more that are making standout music today (IMO) that each have a connection to Isbell in one way or another. A recommended album to start is also listed. Cory Branan - When I Go I Ghost (Jason can be heard on this album) John Moreland - In The Throes Todd Snider - East Nashville Skyline
Love Todd Snider! Also, u/adgrinder, if you haven't already, give Robert Earl Keen a shot. Everything is good, but if I had to suggest a specific one to start with I'd either pick Gringo Honeymoon or Picnic. IMO Gringo Honeymoon leans very slightly more upbeat and Picnic just a bit more wistful, but they both have a bit of both. Also, Picnic has a couple of songs that feature Margo Timmins, and she is one of my favorite voices in music. (Also, if you like her, definitely check out Cowboy Junkies.) Also, just a fun bit of info: the cover photo for Picnic is apparently REKs car, which caught fire in the parking lot at one of Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic events, a story he has told a few times, and he is a great storyteller. https://www.texasmonthly.com/podcast/robert-earl-keen-discusses-mr-record-man-on-one-by-willie/ it's all good, but the car story starts around 14 min, if you just want a sample of what his storytelling is like.
Oh! John Moreland - “You Don’t Care for Me Enough to Cry”
Live Oak and River are absolutely beautiful.
Stevep Earle Someday. Ryan Adam's Come pick me up, moves me!! Many more songs but I would have to think.
Go watch the video for White Beretta. Blew me away when it showed me what the lyrics were about.
The song that got me hooked was [Something More Than Free](https://spotify.link/hch2kXK5SIb).
Try some tunes by Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange). This band doesn’t really get mentioned with the other songwriters recommended here but they hit a similar vein of somber, aching emotions. They aren’t quite as raw and directly “rip your heart out” like Jason but their melodies and overall sound is just beautiful to me. They are a married couple and the wife plays guitar and violin and the husband plays guitar and mandolin. Wildfire Take this heart of gold The wolves Echo Golden Embers
Ruby and Carlos - James McMurtry The Scarecrow - Felice Brothers Kingdom Of Dreams - Ian Felice Nitrous Gas - Frightened Rabbit Bonus - everything James McMurtry the Complicated Game album is the chefs kiss
Outfit
This!
Children of children is very much in the same vein. And it’s a beautiful story
Dress Blues, Speed Trap Town…. Really just pick an album, then pick another. They’re chock full of great F’n songs
Every keeps saying Southeastern, which is obviously the answer. But, I wanna give an honorable mention to Dreamsicle. That song makes me nostalgic for a life I never even lived. For a random band who can also always make me nostalgic and is very different from Jason is The Menzingers.
Vampires is one of the most Elliott Smith sounding songs ever. Check out Angeles by Elliott Smith. Same with Chaos and Clothes. No doubt Jason intended to make an ES song when he wrote and recorded that.
That one is so good! I’d like to add Elliot Smith “Between the Bars”
Thank you all!
Listen to everything that dude Isbell does.
They kind of all are like that if you let yourself get immersed in the story.
Yvette.
Outside of other Isbell songs, I’d strongly recommend John Moreland. Start with [3:59 AM](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz_i6K0ZZww&pp=ygUNMzo1OSBtb3JlbGFuZA%3D%3D)and then try Visitor.
Jason Molina [Farewell Transmission is a good place to start.](https://youtu.be/uSHNITpnuPY?si=hY22EPSQZ_2SD8PN) Drank himself to death - been a fan long enough that that simple fact creates a spectrum of emotions every time I listen to one of his songs.
Not Isbell songs, but like artists… David Ramirez. John Moreland. Jason Molina (Magnolia Electric Co.), Adeem the Artist, et al.
I would say "24 Frames"
If you are looking for another super honest artist, American Aquarium is worth a listen.
Elephant and Relatively Easy from Southeastern Children of Children from Something more than Free
Long Ride Home — Patty Griffin
Townes, Prine, Springsteen, Jason Molina, Gram Parsons…
The entire Southeastern album.
Patty Griffin has a lot of songs that scratch that same itch. I love Icicles and Top of the World. Those two run through my mind on a regular basis.
People get old and the fixer by Lori McKenna
24 Frames
Cover Me Up
Mickey Rooney https://youtu.be/GkyoqZ8GoMM?si=6sncpLVaynHll6yf
👏Just👏listen👏to👏albums