Hello reader,
Welcome back. In mid-December, we were happy to share an essay by Kevin Blackwell, the frontman and songwriter of the back-porch soul band Sassparilla. The essay opined about the state of community within music, specifically in the DIY scene, both in the present and with a generous nod to the past. There was a lot of gratitude, and while the sentiment remains timeless in my opinion, as long as there are appreciators of music, I feel it was a great way to end the year. Check that essay out here.
Today, we’re going to delve into Sassparilla’s newest album, Honey, I’m Using Again, out on Friday, February 20th, for your listening pleasure. The roots rock band made a name for itself in the past two decades, especially within the Pacific Northwest scene, gaining a following with its live energy and notable album releases: Debilitated Constitution (2007), Rumpus (2008), Ramshackle (2010), The Darndest Thing (2011), Magpie (2013), Pasajero/Hullabaloo (2014), No Country, No Flag (2019) and Good For What Ails Ya (2020).
Their newest album was, according to its press release, “Written and produced by Kevin Blackwell in his basement in Golden, Colorado. Honey, I’m Using Again distills the raw emotional force that’s defined Sassparilla since their Portland barroom days. The title track frames relapse as a kind of human confession – a metaphor for any pattern of self-destruction we can’t quite shake.”
Blackwell elaborates, “There are so many people who struggle with all kinds of addiction and self-destructive behaviors. As unambiguous as the title sounds, I really intended it as a metaphor for any behavior or choice we make that we may be ashamed of or wish we could change… stop. We all get stuck in these patterns, routines, and complacency that, at the end of the day, we question. I imagined what it would be like if we could be that honest with someone about our ‘thing’ and be honest about slipping up again and again. I chose it
as the album title because I felt it was a bit shocking. I imagine saying those words to someone you love would be really difficult.” Right? Definitely grabs your attention, and for many, especially as we exist in 2026, it is relatable on some level.
According to the press release, Blackwell talks about the titular track and the album’s concept, sharing his state of mind in recent years and if the album’s themes of aging, substance abuse, and love lost are deeply personal for Blackwell, who reflects on the losses he’s experienced in recent years, “Yes. Aging. Substance abuse and addiction. Suicide and love lost. As I age, I look back at the friends I have lost to horrible deaths. I feel like I havecheated to make it this far. It’s like being in a running race, and I am dropping people as I go. I can’t help but wonder when I will be outlasted. The themes of this record are somewhat dark. I think the sparse arrangements and banjo give it a Southern Gothic feel. At least that was my goal/intention.”
Blackwell enlisted old friends and fellow west coast based musicians Dan Power and Doug Ebert, along with his 13-year-old son Emmett, on drums. The result is a poignant record, banjo-heavy and featuring minimal percussion, just the right amount as he employs different techniques and styles to fit the songs. Kudos to Emmett; he held his own, and the percussion sounds good. While this stripped-down approach will differ in sound from Sassparilla’s past songs, there’s still plenty to like sonically. While we’ve discussed heavy topics so far, listening to the album won’t put one in a depressive state. It’s dark at times, but not doom and gloom; it’s just per se, as one can find resilience and redemption as well.
Honey, I’m Using Again kicks off with the opening song, “When I Get Off This Mountain,” which begins with a gorgeous banjo lick. Try not to stop your foot while listening to that wonderful melody. The lyrics are from a determined point of view, delivered with a worn tone to match each other. The following song, “Sad Days and Lonely Nights,” continues with spectacular, jaunty banjo picking. Blackwell sings with more enthusiasm, matching the melody. The harmonica is a nice touch. While the lyrics are not as light and show off Blackwell’s but still pair well with the melody and vocals. It’s definitely one of my favorite songs on the album. The next song, “One Morning,” adds even more pacing in the best ways. The drums are more essential and drive the banjo, which sounds fantastic again. At points near the end, I’m hearing Charlie Parr. Listener, what do you hear?
I really enjoy how the instrumentation plays out and the call-and-response on “She Wrecks Me”. Including additional vocals besides Blackwell to pair with his was a great choice, as it adds so much to the song. And the album if you view it in its entirety. I think many will find this song among their favorites on the album.
The next song, “Walk In My Shoes,” features Blackwell giving his most impassioned vocals of the album. The refrain becomes haunting with repeated deliveries. The contrast of banjo and bass, in addition to the two different vocal tones on “I’ll Be Damned,” makes it an earworm for me. The chorus and foot-stomp vibe in “Maggie Mae” stand out, as does the sea shanty feeling. I think it’s the melody, not the lyrics themselves. If you close your eyes, you won’t be in an Irish pub while listening. Nor is that the intent. Kudos to the percussion and composition choices here.
Speaking of percussion, I love the way “Bad Luck and Trouble” starts. Strong drum work followed by fast picking on the banjo, and Blackwell delivering crisp, quick vocals. It sets the tone for the second half of the album, which slowed down slightly for “Eyes of Kathleen,” a song ago. “Submit to the Flames” is another song that features dual vocals, excellent banjo work, and quick, memorable pacing.
A few songs later, on “Roll Away The Stone,” we hear Blackwell again paired with the same vocalist, in a duet-type fashion. The pairing adds to the lyrics’ weariness, making the song stick with you. The musicianship on this song is an adventure as well, in the best ways. Get your hands ready to clap and your ears ready for Blackwell’s vocals and lyrics in the second-to-last song on the album, “Songs With No Names,” as well as your ears ready for the outstanding string and percussion work. It’s an earworm. The final and titular song sees Blackwell at his song-crafting best, in my opinion. Through melody and great songwriting, it all comes together before the album fades into the sunset.
All that being said, Honey, I’m Using Again gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. The band has seen several eras and sub-genres. While this album may not have the incredible live energy of others, I’d still like to hear it live. And I think you would too. There’s a lot to like from the musical compositions that provide wonderful listening experiences, to Blackwell’s voice and heart-on-sleeve songwriting. Listening to this album is a put-on-the-album-and-have-a-dance-party kind of time. Maybe in your yard with shoes off. Maybe in the living room. Depending on your mood. It’s great in any setting. Relative to all new releases this year, which is the rating scale we use here at SWT, I feel the album fits well within the 4 Scum Drop range. I recommend adding this to your collection.
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The listening process with Honey, I’m Using Again will take less than an hour from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After several listens, I found the songs highlighted in green below to be my favorites on this album.
The tracklist for Honey, I’m Using Again (song length)
- When I Get Off This Mountain (2:30)
- Sad Days and Lonely Nights (4:04)
- One Morning (2:50)
- She Wrecks Me (2:46)
- Walk In My Shoes (2:42)
- I’ll Be Damned (2:43)
- Maggie Mae (3:24)
- Eyes of Kathleen (2:33)
- Bad Luck and Trouble (2:40)
- Submit to the Flames (3:26)
- When The Medicine Takes (2:27)
- Roll Away The Stone (3:34)
- Astoria (3:10)
- Songs With No Names (2:33)
- Honey, I’m Using Again (2:29)
Total runtime: 48:18
You can follow Sassparilla on Facebook, visit their website, listen to some of their music on their Bandcamp page, and hear more of their albums in a YouTube playlist.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
