Brian Whelan: Decider

After spending time in both the Broken West and in Dwight Yoakam’s band, that Decider would sound like it does shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s gorgeously textured powerpop that carries a great deal of vintage Americana influences with it. That the two complement each other to the extent they do is the real achievement here, which is something that posits Whelan, once again, as a songwriter to watch. While the lyrics on Decider don’t take the spotlight, they’re strong enough to indicate that Whelan’s secret weapon may be his understated lyricism, which is evident in songs like “High and Lonesome”.

While Decider is still a few steps away from being a classic powerpop record, it should certainly be in prime position for genre fans to be discussing it as a lost gem 20 years down the line due to its timeless sound and nature.