![\"rabbit-hole\"](\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Rabbit-Hole.jpg\")
BILLY CROCKETT<\/h3>\nBILLY CROCKETT<\/h3>\nBilly Crockett tears open his heart and pours out a measure of emotions that has been tucked in the corners of his soul. He carefully peels back each layer to give a guilt-free peek into the thought-provoking ideas dancing around in his head. And it\u2019s truly an enjoyable ride. His lyrics paint portraits and landscapes, his guitar mastery is exceptional, and with his tasteful tunes and moving melodies, this album is packaged and presented with so much attention to detail\u2014allowing listeners to tap their feet and sing along.<\/p>\n
Crockett crafts his words carefully and thoughtfully, saying so much with so little. The storytelling in this album is even more effective with the calculated sparse and precise guitar work infused with folk, jazz, blues and a whole lotta soul. The combination leaves the listener completely satisfied, yet wanting more. And that\u2019s indeed an art in itself.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s his sexy \u201cTake Me,\u201d or his affectionate nod to tunes from his past in \u201cRecord Player,\u201d or the joyful \u201cThat\u2019s Something\u201d that begs you to sing along, or his soulful tribute to the incomparable Mavis Staples simply titled \u201cMavis,\u201d Crockett finds a way to help treasure every moment of this joy-filled ride.<\/p>\n
The deeper meaning within each song is especially exemplified in \u201cDrought,\u201d \u201cOn Your Way,\u201d \u201cGhosts\u201d and \u201cSpare Me.\u201d But the definite standout track is a gem buried in the middle of the album on Track 6, \u201cAlready Perfect.\u201d Maybe it\u2019s because the listener can so easily identify with every word in this song. I challenge everyone to read the poetry within this song:
\n\u201cI wish I may, I wish I might\u2014that\u2019s the story of my life
\nBut here and now, tonight\u2014it\u2019s already perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
For his first album in seven years, Crockett has chosen to start it with the brilliant philosophical comments that are incredibly timely for this election. With the wonderful Tom Waits-like percussion provided by the amazingly talented Eric Darken, and the rock-solid impressive bass of the renowned Roscoe Beck, the title track is one of the most powerful and memorable tunes from this sincerely delightful album. The metaphors and allusions pierce through lines like:
\n\u201cWhere goes the rabbit hole\u2014I don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know\u201d
\n\u201cOne lie Pinocchio\u2014starts to show, starts to show\u201d
\n\u201cWhat hides the fatal flaw\u2014shock and awe, shock and awe\u201d
\n\u201cThe Devil\u2019s holy grail\u2014love for sale, love for sale\u201d
\n\u201cWhat shall our pleasure be\u2014irony, irony\u201d
\n\u201cCan\u2019t feel the shame anymore \u2026 Where goes the rabbit hole?\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s so easy to love the many references to tales in \u201cRabbit Hole.\u201d In fact, when Crockett played this song over the weekend, he said he did not write it about the current election season, but he just wanted to write \u201ca happy little modern tale of dread.\u201d That statement exemplifies his unrestrained playfulness with the music and lyrics so easily seen throughout this remarkable album, including the final song \u201cBig Old World.\u201d<\/p>\n
Written and produced by Crockett himself, Rabbit Hole is a thoroughly enjoyable ride. One can easily see the reflective nature of the world of wisdom Crockett has experienced through his years of making music\u2014this time examining his life a bit more carefully, and sharing it so honestly. After many listens, Crockett can take me anywhere he wants. I can go down the rabbit hole with him, as long as he promises not to spare me any of the emotions and insight he so willingly bears in this album\u2014because here and now, it\u2019s already perfect.<\/p>\n