Tim Barry’s last record was arguably one of the best records of 2008/09. It’s simple honesty in both its music and lyrics made it a staple here at casa Songs:Illinois. I expect the same from the new record. It’s titled 28th and Stonewall and is due out this week on Suburban Home.

Ninebullets.net has been all over this record with weekly updates, videos, and podcasts but as far as I can tell this is the first post with an mp3 from the new record. Still for all things Tim Barry check out Ninebullets. “Thing of the Past” is just what you’d expect from Barry; its got his bitter anti-consumption, populist angst, as well as his coarse blue collar persona. I love it.

Pre-order here through Amazon.

Thing of the Past

Bonus back catalog:

Tacoma
Church of Level Track
Idle Idylist

“Thing of the Past” video

“Momento Mori” video:

“Prosser’s Gabriel” video

Tim Barry – “Prosser’s Gabriel” from TCSG on Vimeo.

It makes complete sense to me that last year’s punks will be this year’s protest singers. The medium might be radically different but the message is often the same. Punk music is raw and angry and lyrically simple due to the age and makeup of the band members but these young punks grow up and want to express themselves more completely. Good resent examples are AA Bondy, the Nightwatchmen (Tom Morello of Rage and Audioslave), Eddie Vedder and now Tim Barry formerly of Avail.

Tim lives in “Red State” Virginia so on the new record you get a mix of political and social messages. Songs explore the views of the military fighting in Iraq to the scourge of Oxycotin on the rural population. Tim Barry is making as many strong political statements on this record than any I’ve heard lately. If this is the next generation of folk singer then bring it on. The new record is called Manchester and was released on Nov. 4. You can buy it here.

Tacoma