Whether one is writing a song or simply listening, music is a cathartic tool. It helps you dig deep into what troubles you and assists with closure and resolve. Josh Abbott Band’s Front Row Seat is perhaps one of the finest examples of using music for such a release. Covering the entire journey that Abbott and his now ex-wife shared from beginning to end not only lets him vent and allow the listener access to such a vulnerable chapter in his life, but it’s also two-fold – providing a gateway for others to use his music for their own reprieve.
The 16-track album flows like a play as it is broken up into five “Acts:” Act I (Exposition), Act II (Incitation), Act III (Intimacy), Act IV (Dissolution) and Act V (Denouement), with the songs of each act detailing the different phases of the relationship. Act I consists of the first three tracks that, like the rest of the album, lyrically read like short chronological stories. In the upbeat “While I’m Young,” Abbott sings about being carefree in college, spending his paycheck on fun times with friends and the first time he sees his future spouse sitting alone at the bar. “I’ve Been Known” shows that he’s already recognizing that he prefers to be in her company over others and hopes she feels the same, and “Live It While You Got It,” throws caution to the wind regarding their physical relationship.
Act II kicks off with “Wasn’t That Drunk,” the passion-filled duet with the amazingly talented Carly Pearce. The vocals of Pearce and Abbott complement each other flawlessly, creating a desire between them that is very believable, which is important not only for the song, but for this Act as it’s the moment when love replaces the lust of Act I. In the song, the couple admits that while they could hide their feelings under the cover of “it was the alcohol,” they no longer want to as the feelings are real:
I know we were laughing, saying whatever happens
We can blame it on the wine when the sun comes up
If you’re thinking it’s because we were drinking
Well that don’t mean that it don’t mean much
‘Cause it did, and it does
The truth of it is – I wasn’t that drunk
The other two-thirds of Act II continue to build on the founding of love but musically stand out as well. “Kiss You Good,” a fantastic song with an infectious beat, and “If It Makes You Feel Good,” a slower ballad, are songs with strong vocals that have a great live feel, with plenty of opportunities for the crowd to join in and sing along.
Act III continues to delve deeper as the two become one – the mental, emotional and physical intimacy of just how much they are into each other. In “Crazy Things” Abbott confesses how almost undeserving he is of this woman as she tells him how lucky she is to have him in her life, yet such a belief seems ridiculous as he’s the lucky one. “Front Row Seat” is about being right there while things happen to your other half. How everything that went on in her life, he was lucky enough to witness it and be the closest witness after to her. “Kisses We Steal” shows the physical intimacy of their relationship.
The downward spiral is presented in Act IV, with some of the most heart wrenching lyrics perhaps ever written. “Born to Break Your Heart” is Abbott accepting the blame for the end of the relationship. Electric slide guitar, acoustic guitar and banjo are heard in the background while he practically speaks the lyrics, which adds to the sorrow:
I tried so hard to tell myself that you’d be all I need
But now that you can’t help the hurt
It’s best you let me leave
It ain’t your fault
I might’ve been born to break your heart
“Ghosts” is about being haunted by memories of the relationship, the good and the bad, the guilt and missing her:
Goodbye is the hardest part
I was supposed to hold your heart
Like the grains of sand through my hands, it fell apart
The end of Act IV is “This Isn’t Easy (Her Song)” written from the view of Abbott’s ex. The idea behind this track is very interesting not only from the album standpoint, but from a general life standpoint. Anyone who has had their heart broken always wonders “Does she/he think of me?” “Do they think about how I’m feeling?” This song provides a bit of a comfort knowing that there are exes out there that do just that:
No I really don’t have time to talk to you
And how dare you even ask me after all the hell you put me through
And I never said, I never said this wouldn’t be hard
And this time I’ve gotta guard my heart
A short spoken word, “A Loss of Memory” opens Act V before the deep, gut hitting “Amnesia,” which was the lead single of the album. In life there will always be someone that you wish you could just completely eras from your memories, and Abbott sings this with such conviction and in a very brutally honest way:
If I had amnesia
I wouldn’t know how much I need ya
And I wouldn’t have to see ya every night
When I turn out the lights and close my eyes
Wouldn’t have to forget you
Or even know I’d ever met you
I wouldn’t have to regret you
Or let you wreck me one more time
During the season of Autumn, trees shed their leaves in order for new ones to grow in the spring, which makes it a very appropriate song title for the second to last track. It discusses how his ex will turn over a new leaf, find new love, and never to look back. But Abbott says so with some relief, as if he’s come to terms with what has happened and as shown in the last track, “Anonymity,” it looks as though he too will be able to move on.
While the lyrics and storytelling are the front and center of this album, the instrumentation cannot go without a shout out. Supporting Abbott, who also plays guitar, are amazing band members Austin Davis (banjo), Preston Wait (fiddle, guitar), James Hertless (bass guitar) Caleb Keeter (guitar) and Edward Villanueva (drums).
Front Row Seat is nothing short of a masterpiece in storytelling. Each song tells another part of this heartbreaking story – a story with a universal plot that allows the listener to connect with his/her own experience, fulfilling the catharsis for both artist and fan.
Thank you, Josh Abbott, for letting us in to such a private part of your life. Front Row Seat is now available on all outlets and be sure to catch Josh Abbot Band on the road. Make sure to check out http://www.joshabbottband.com/wp/ for more information.