Album Review: Repeat Offender by Jim Mitchell
Outlaw country survivor Jim Mitchell will be releasing his upcoming album Repeat Offender on November 17 through the record label Mother West. On his fourth album, the artist distills decades of hard knocks into an ultra-authentic and largely autobiographical record that defiantly shuns sanitized country-pop.
The son of a mercurial itinerant musician, Mitchell honed his talents in hardscrabble “hobo jungles” literally on the wrong side of the tracks. “Dad was kind a like a 1960s and 70s Woody Guthrie, without the politics,” said Mitchell. “By 12 years old I was allowed to drink and smoke and he would share his pain pills with me while I’d entertain the folks in his camp.”
Repeat Offender is an old soul slab of timeless songcraft with relatable narrative lyricism that offers a poignant portal to our own memories and emotions without ever taking itself too seriously. Mitchell will support his upcoming album by continuing a lifelong tour schedule that can top 150 shows a year, plus music and lyric videos for each single.
“Why You Rockin’ Me” is Mitchell’s latest a single from his upcoming album and what is truly amazing about this composition is how the vein jolting guitar and keyboard playing brings a solid country vibe that contributes to the high strung feelings the artist has. “Why You Rockin’ Me” kicks things off with a bang because the instrumentation and vocal performance just shows Mitchell is not afraid to share his love for country music.
“Don’t Come Crying to Me” is a country ballad has a musical style of George Strait. As a whole, the lovely instrumentation contributes to the heartbreak with elegant noises that blends in with Mitchell’s emotional vocal performance. “Don’t Come Crying to Me” gives an insight of how powerful ballads can be when you have the right instrumentation and vocals.
“Just Like Old Hank” is a nod to Hank Williams because the music brings country style the late artist was known for. The twang coming from the guitar sizzles the atmosphere with an old school country vibe that resembles what country sounded like decades ago. What is enjoyable about “Just Like Old Hank” is being able to hear real country music being played and some will appreciate hearing a song that is dedicate to a late Country Icon.
“Hillbilly (with a RnR heart)” is classic example of how rock and country can be successfully mixed together. Through the whole thing, the twang from the guitar can be heard blending in with the sounds rock, which can cause some people to dance along. Also the drum playing gives “Hillbilly (with a RnR heart)” a catchy tempo that resemble early 60s rock. Mitchell does a great job on this tune because he is not afraid to test his creativity.
“Hell or High Water” is another classic county tune but instead of the instrumentation, Mitchell’s vocal performance shines brightly because his vocal tones show how serious the lyrics are and while listening, the musician’s harmonic voice gives this piece the sense wanting to escape from the lingering danger. “Hell or High Water” is an outlaw song can leave some listeners guessing how much trouble Michell is in.
Repeat Offender offers listeners a great of music that is filled with talent and creativity. Fans of country music will not be disappointed with this album because the instrumentation and vocal performance brings back the classic country most of miss hearing.
Review Date: 11/8/2023
Date of Publication: 11/10/2023
Album Release: 11/17/2023
Feature Photo Credit: Jackie Cox