Hello Reader,
Welcome back. I hope all is well with you today.
Today we’re going to delve into the singer, and songwriter born and raised less than 30 miles from Nashville, Will Hoge. To many, me included, Hoge has been under the radar despite making music for over 25 years. It was a name I had heard in passing, but never really listened to in depth before this review. I circled the release date on the calendar looking forward to exploring his discography and I’m grateful that I spent the time to listen. I think you will too. His music is passionate, earnest, amiable and the lyrics are literate and every man.
Hoge has experienced the gamut of label deals from major labels (Atlantic, Rykodisc), indie (Cumberland Recordings) and self-released music. He’s spent what equates to years of his life on tour, changing members of his band several times over the years.
The song “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” that Hoge and Eric Paslay co-wrote received a Country Music Association nomination, an Academy of Country Music nomination and a Grammy nomination for “Country Song of the Year” in 2012. The song was originally recorded by Hoge on his album released in 2009. The nominated version reached #1 on the country charts and was recorded by the Eli Young Band.
Hoge’s solo output is quite vast and well regarded by his fans and critics. It includes, Carousel (2001), Blackbird on a Lonely Wire (2003), The America EP (2004), The Man Who Killed Love (2006), Draw The Curtains (2007), The Wreckage (2009), The Living Room Sessions EP (2010), Number Seven (2011), Modern American Protest Music EP (2012), Never Give In (2013), Small Town Dreams (2015), Anchors (2017), the mini-LP: My American Dream (2018), Tiny Little Moves (2020) and Wings on My Shoes (2022).
And now comes Hoge’s first solo release in two years. Tenderhearted Boys is out on Friday April 12th for your listening pleasure via EDLO Records/Soundly Music.
And now for some hype for your ears!
The album opener, “Deadbolt”:
(All credits and rights to Will Hoge)
Stop pretending, “I’d Be Lying”:
(All credits and rights to Will Hoge)
The titular, “Tenderhearted Boys”:
(All credits and rights to Will Hoge)
Overall, Tenderhearted Boys is an outstanding effort from Hoge. Another album of beautiful, engaging songwriting. The album features songs with stripped down melodies of either acoustic guitar or piano that truly allow Hoge’s vocals to shine. The musical instrumentation of guitar or piano seems to alter from song to song creating a well-balanced feel and flow with some ebbs. To use a rafting and canoeing analogy, the album flows like a Class 3 as there is a good amount of maneuvrering by the composer yet there are no whitewater rapids within. Tenderhearted Boys is a well composed album in terms of melody, matching melody to vocals and musical instrumentation pairing. The lyrics are on par with Hoge’s previous works, perhaps even more introspective with years of writing and touring and living for inspiration. I’ll let you listen and compare for yourself. In addition, there’s great sonic quality throughout the album as every sound is crystal clear.
“Deadbolt” opens the album with acoustic guitar strumming followed shortly after by Hoge’s vocals. The lyrics are analytical in nature and exhaustive in mood. They are explorative in thought about the past and future, specifically to romantic relationships.
By contrast, the song “End Of The World” is more hopeful to the listener’s ear. The lyrics tell of a strong desire to spend time with someone he cares deeply about. The lyrics and melody consisting of piano create a bittersweet sentiment.
In “Some People” the melody is led by acoustic guitar strumming and harmonica adds a nice touch. The vocals are delivered with a tinge of sarcasm, and it works. The lyrics are venting…frustrated with ‘some people.’
The song, “Accountable” has a piano heavy melody that also features a nice guitar solo. The lyrics describe situations of culpability as Hoge’s vocals are passionately delivered.
On “I’d Be Lying” the lyrics are reflective and Hoge’s vocals are strained as he ardently delivers the lyrics about trying to get over someone from his past. There’s anxiety, vices, memories of good and bad times. It all comes together to make a gorgeous song.
“My Daddy’s Eyes” kicks off with a strong piano beat that maintains the melody throughout the song ranging from louder to very quiet at differing points of the song. The vocals are forlorn in the first verse and the lyrics tell a reflective yet downtrodden but all too relatable story of an American worker. The ending is triumphant.
The next song, “You Love Me Anyway” features the inner monologue in concise verse of the life of a musician on the road. The tone is honest, reflective and confident. The melody features two guitars, one acoustic. The addition of the electric guitar for a solo a little more than halfway through the song, enhances the melodies’ sound.
“Good While It Lasted” starts with Hoge’s vocals before the melody led by electric guitar and including piano later on in the song, kicks in. Hoge’s vocals and lyrics are poignant, telling of a person at different stages of their life.
“I Still Got It” is the most rocking melody on the entire album. The guitar has some twang and some power. The melody is atop self-assured lyrics sung while cruising around town in an old Caddy.
The titular song, “Tenderhearted Boys” is the last on the album. The melody is driven by soft piano notes and vocals by Hoge. The lyrics are hopeful towards the future, a love song to sons everywhere delivering a message of kindness.
Tenderhearted Boys gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It’s an excellent album. Among the better albums released so far in 2024 but not quite the best. Firmly in the 4.5 Scum Drop territory in my mind. There’s a lot to like and listen to on repeat. The album is worth adding to your collection on the format(s) of your choosing.
Tenderhearted Boys Track listing (song length)
- Deadbolt (3:29)
- End Of The World (3:09)
- Some People (2:52)
- Accountable (2:44)
- I’d Be Lying (2:39)
- My Daddy’s Eyes (4:59)
- You Love Me Anyway (2:23)
- Good While It Lasted (2:49)
- I Still Got It (3:15)
- Tenderhearted Boys (3:31)
Total runtime: 31:10
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is slightly more than a half hour of your time with this album from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
To find more where he’s performing, more music and his socials please check Hoge’s website right here.
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 and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
