Early Widows Deserves Your Time (Hero Hill)

Date: 2010.07.16 | Category: Be a Man, review | Tags:

Hero Hill notes how the risks Justin’s songwriting contains the sort of risks and artistry that tends to polarize critic’s opinions. But the author is fairly certain The Early Widows is strong enough to unite the camps:

he most exciting thing about Early Widows is that it will change how people think of Rutledge and give people the patience to revisit his catalog with an open mind. As he effortlessly delivers rockers (The Heart of a River) and anthems (if you don’t get swept up by the spirited backing choir on Ms. Montgomery) you are more willing to listen to each and every word he sings, which as always, are moving and powerful. It makes you hear a song like I Have Not Seen The Light , one of the few that could have found a home on his previous records, and realize that even with just a few simple strums, Rutledge is an engaging entertainer that deserves your time.