Get ready for the newest album from Adam Carroll. His latest album, titled I Walked In Them Shoes, drops on April 12. But first, for those readers not up on the artist in question, a bit of background.

Adam Carroll

Adam Carroll is an artisanal singer-songwriter and musician from Tyler, Texas. His resume includes eight previous releases. His premiere platter, released in 2000, is titled South of Town.

His signature sound is a blend of Americana, country, and folk. He has this sense of pretentious-free modesty that adds a quiet impact to his songs. His work has been compared to such other artists as Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Guy Clark.

I Walked In Them Shoes

On his ninth and latest disc, I Walked in Them Shoes, Carroll leads the way on vocals, guitar, harmonica, keys, and harmonium. He is backed only by producer Lloyd Maines (pedal steel, rhythm and slide guitars). The album includes 10 tracks.

Track by track

This intimate and unpolished album opens on the titular “Walked In Them Shoes.” Co-composed with his friend Brian Rung and Americana up-and-comer Paul Cauthen, it’s an effective, simple song about an act who has been through a lot and is too spot on to not be at least a bit biographical. The second selection is “Caroline” which is a pretty piece co-composed with Rung.

“Storms” is perfect for a cold, rainy night. Despite a few outdated and political references the song still works well. Musical metaphors from a partisan player? Who cares? Again, it works and is not overly obvious.

"Crescent City Angels," is a calm, quiet, cut with clever moments. It was co-written with his wife and preferred duet-partner Chris Carroll and Michael O'Connor. It’s perhaps inspired by some of the same sources as some of his previous work including his last release, 2014's Let It Choose You.

“Iris And The Lonesome Stranger” Is a troubled tuneful tale. It demonstrates what Carroll can do as a solo songwriter. It’s followed by “This Old Garage.” It’s a seemingly autobiographical offering again showing what Carroll can do as a solo composer.

"Cordelia" somehow sounds like a pub song. It’s also a love song for his wife. It’s also in part by the book “Entering the Heart of the Buddha” by a Buddhist monk named Thich Nhat Hanh.

"My Only Good Shirt", a tuneful tribute track written for Maines. It has a touch of fun to it and contains some familiar elements. His signature sound remains both solid and consistent.

In fact, it carries over into “The Last Word” which was actually co-written with Dustin Welch and Halleyanna Finlay Welch.

“Night At The Show” is another tuneful tribute. This one is to the late Kent Finlay. Finlay is the former owner of the popular San Marcos, Texas, songwriter’s hangout and honky-tonk known as the Cheatham Street Warehouse. It’s a fairly eloquent album endnote.

Overall, the audio offerings herein come off as somehow both personal and nigh universal. It’s a great trick if not a requirement for any successful songwriter. So check out Adam Carroll’s I Walked In Them Shoes and then you can have “The Last Word.”

(All media courtesy of original owners)