Review by Ray Cobra

Anyone that knows me, knows that I listen to all different types of music. In a typical day I can start with Fever 333, then go to Britney Spears, and from there I can end up listening to Cream and finish with Garth Brooks. For as long as I can remember, I have loved music and will listen to anything as long as it has feeling, is intelligent, fun, or even makes me dance. I just enjoy music. I think it also has to do with how we are raised and our environment. I grew up in a family that listened to music all the time. I had a hippie uncle, an alternative cousin, a soul grandmother, and a pop mother. So I got it all. Oh, and let’s not forget the Great Grandmother whom kept her TV on CMT. I’m thankful that my family listens to music the way they do because it without a doubt shaped me and my music tastes. This helps me be able to write reviews like this one. I don’t too often write about artists outside the punk, emo, and hardcore realm because that’s where my heart is – that’s what I love and know. But in the end, my love of music as a whole is bigger.

Above I mentioned my Great Grandmother and CMT. Late in her life, her TV stayed on that channel and as a young kid I just watched and listened with her when I would go and see her. It was kind of like bonding for us. That’s where my enjoyment of country music comes from. So every once in a while I’ll hear an artist and I think of her. Tiffany Williams is one of those artist. Her music is so soothing, honest, and she has such an incredible voice. I also appreciate that she is a lexophile, which is a lover of words and it shows in her songwriting.

When You Go begins with the title track and it’s a really good opening song. I believe that a good album has to have a good opening song to set the tone, to pull the listener in and this track does that. It leaves you wanting to listen more. Between her soothing voice and the subject matter, you are trapped. And if I say so myself, it’s a good trap. As a pop-punk kid I relate to this song, as it’s about one’s hometown and the dislike of it. However the difference here is she says that’s how she felt when she was younger but now she thinks of home often and the people there. It just also happens that her family has history in her hometown. For instance there is a creek there that bears the name of her 5^th great grandfather. The storytelling continues with the track, “You Were Mine”. Not only does this song showcase her vocals but her love of words as well. We have heard many a song about lost love and all that comes with it. The way she goes about it on this track is beautiful and surreal. There is power in words and if you don’t believe that, I feel sorry for you. Go listen to this song. For me I also enjoy that she talks about mountains a few times. She is from the mountains of Kentucky, so it makes sense that she would sing about them often.

One of my favorite lines on the album is from the song, “The Waiting.” It goes “I love you like the mountains love the warm sunrise.” That line is just poetry at its best and not only does it make me miss the mountains but also want to love like that.

Overall this is a very solid release. I could honestly listen to it over and over. Actually – I have on a few nights. It’s one of those albums that after a long day you can just come home and relax to. Maybe with a glass of whiskey while sitting on your front porch. It’s one of those albums. Tiffany Williams should be mentioned in the same breath as Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, and John Moreland. She is that great of a singer-songwriter. I know it’s early in 2019 but this probably won’t be the last time you see this album here on Tuned Up. It very well may show up in December. 

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