Music Review: Jason Isbell firms up his place among the best

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, 'œReunions'ť (Southeastern/Thirty Tigers)

Jason Isbell long ago earned his place among the finest songwriters of his generation. Now he's just pouring it on.

On 'œReunions,'ť Isbell's seventh full-length album and fourth with the 400 Unit, the four-time Grammy winner firms up his place on the short list of artists whom you could draw up a list of 25 best songs and start real arguments. It's territory typically reserved for people such as Isbell's late pal and mentor, John Prine, but Isbell keeps proving he belongs there.

As Isbell works the vortex between folk, country and rock, a range of influences surface, including Prine, but the sound is distinctly his own. A master of lyrical surprise, Isbell paints childhood summerscapes, recalls secret meeting places and then pierces the rapture with reminders of brokenness and hurt. In 'œDreamsicle,'ť for example, the taste of ice cream on a summer night gives way to mama 'œcurling up beside me, crying to herself.'ť

A different kind of friction animates 'œOverseas,'ť where a guitar hook that would make Tom Petty proud lends majesty to a wistful lament about separation.

The album's early singles, 'œWhat've I Done to Help?'ť and 'œBe Afraid,'ť will play well in concert, but there are better songs here. Isbell is at his best when he's leaning into life, where things are never easy.

The 400 Unit shines throughout. 'œRiver'ť features Isbell's wife, Amanda Shires, playing fiddle and it's glorious. When Isbell sings a lyric, Shires plays a little flourish that sounds like she's demonstrating what he just sang about - like commentary. She's been doing that for years, but it's still a marvel.

Isbell's music has that grow-on-you quality that makes it hard to measure instantly against his previous work. That's not a flaw, to be clear - and it's safe to say this album will start some new arguments.