The Kernal - “Just the Other Side of Nowhere” (live)

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Johnny Fritz, Bob Dylan, John Prine

Tennessee rambler The Kernal shared a live record in 2019 and KERN! LIVE! is a nice, tight reading of songs from his 2017 breakthrough LIGHT COUNTRY and a trio of unreleased tracks making up the bulk of the album’s B-side. The Kernal shows off his loose, chatty performance style on KERN! LIVE!, letting songs breathe with mild psychedelic rock edge even on lyrically dense tracks like “Green, Green Sky” and “Pistol in the Pillow”. (Kevin McStravick)

2019 Review: Imagine if Bob Dylan got sucked into a Nashville vortex but stopped in Memphis to raid Elvis’ closet to borrow a red suit.  That’s a close approximation of The Kernal who plays excellent honkytonk country with a nasal draw, gospel influences, tongue-in-cheek humor, and yes, while wearing a signature red suit.  Although he has played bass in bands for many years, his first album, Light Country, was released in 2017.  Some highlights include “Tennessee Sun,” featuring shimmering guitars and heartbreak harmonies which showcase his country roots. “Knock Kneed Ballerina” is fun for its winking lyrics and Dylanesque vocals.  “Where We Are Standing” is particularly interesting.  It starts as a basic country ballad but two thirds through it veers off into an alt country almost discordant dirge.