Lubbock, TX is turning into a hotbed for country music recently. William Clark Green and Flatland Calvary have released some of the best music of the last few years and another Lubbock local joins them with this album.
I first heard of Dalton Domino last summer when he opened for Turnpike Troubadours and instantly became a fan. His first album "1806" released in 2015 showed a ton of promise for a debut album. Classic Texas country songs with plenty of fiddle, some steel guitar, solid songwriting and vocals.
When I heard the first single "July" last year I figured it was more of the same. Nice mid-tempo rock leaning with some nice organ and some cool guitar licks. It's still one of my favorite tracks on this album, but the album goes so much deeper than this.
Dalton Domino recently got sober and started to move on into full blown adulthood as many in his age range are forced to do eventually. The result is some fantastic introspective songwriting wise beyond his years.
I wish people who think Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett are "evolving" country music would listen to this. This album is solidly country especially in the songwriting which is very mature for someone still in his mid-20's. Dalton borrows from multiple other genres here and there creating a rich and complex diversity of sound owing to his time growing up in a variety of different locales.
Do you enjoy a swampy southern blues sound? Cue up "Sister". Want a groovy rock song lamenting lost love? Try "Mine Again". Want some Memphis soul complete with a horn section? Play "More Than You". Want some haunting steel guitar? "Rain" is the song for you.
The magnum opus of this record though is the title track, acknowledging mistakes he's made in the past and using it as motivation to be a better man.
'Cause people like me have to live in hell to see if heaven is worth it
Take the worst of unanswered questions and try to find purpose
But if forgiveness never comes, I'll understand
But if I die I'm gonna die with me knowin'
Who I was ain't who I am
This album has some catchy tunes. This album is dark at times. This album is real. We read BS stories all the time about mainstream country artists and how an album is "deeply personal". The ears don't lie though. You can tell Dalton Domino is the real deal.
He's a rising name in Texas and I'm sure this album will kick start that even more and lead to him headlining more regional tours. If there was any justice in the country music world, he would spread much further than that. This is a rich tapestry of songwriting and music and overall a fantastic album. There are bright things in this man's future.
Worth a listen: Hell yes!
Album highlights: "July" "Corners" "Rain" "More Than You"
Album lowlights: None
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