Some music falls easily into generic pigeon-holes, although thankfully, that is a fashion that is dying out. But the best music transcends such nonsense; the best music, meaning the person behind it, seems to be so knowledgeable of the songwriting process, so aware of the simple sonic elegance, informed of the power of deft lyrical eloquence, that the only tag it needs is classic…or at least future classic, just give it enough time. “The Long Highway” is just such a song.
Such songs seem simple, but of course, it is not as simple as that. If, as we all know, less is more, then “The Long Highway” is a reminder that it is knowing which less to leave in and which more to take out, that is the art. Michael Landgarten and The Converts are masters of this art.
As our narrator sends a melancholy love letter to his family, hits the road, and adopts the life of a nomad, he reflects that the road is long but life is short, and ultimately, people need to embrace what makes them happy.
And this simple seductive song, one of spare acoustic rhythms and just enough adornment to let the light get in, echoes the same troubadoric, not to mention sonic spirit of Steve Earle, and that is good enough for me.
A classic in the making? I think it is there already!
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