When Slaid Cleaves wrote the title track for his new album 'Still Fighting The War,' he had a specific subject in mind. Inspired by a Pulitzer-winning series of photos on an Iraq War veteran suffering from PTSD, he sought to address the plight of those returning from war and struggling to readjust to society. But as the album progressed, the phrase "still fighting the war" began to take on a broader meaning. "In the past, when I would start writing a new batch of songs a theme would emerge early on. My process this time was just to write as many good songs as I could, not concerning myself with how they all fit together," he says. "But when I began to settle on the songs and the sequence of the album a theme of perseverance through hard times revealed itself. It runs through the album, as it carries into all of our lives. The recession's over, but these aren't exactly happy days. We're all still struggling, we all keep pushing along." While many of the songs on 'Still Fighting The War' focus on struggle and pain, the album, as a whole, is far from morose. Much like Hank Williams or Woody Guthrie, Slaid juxtaposes tales of working class woes ("Rust Belt Fields," "Welding Burns") with lighthearted wittiness and tongue-in-cheek humor ("Whim of Iron," "Texas Love Song"), adding a sense of optimism and resilience that turns sad stories into a source of inspiration instead of despair. 'Still Fighting The War' was produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Lloyd Maines and Mark Hellman.
"Cleaves sings about Americana's new dark age. It's not morose- his voice is too engaging, his songs (and band) too good." -- Mojo
"Texas-based troubadour's latest blends Lone Star sentiment and Rust Belt anger. Delivered with conviction and defiance." -- Uncut
"Cleaves delivers dark and light, hope and reservation." "Richly varied in terms of subject matter and melodic accompaniment... 'Still Fighting The War' is a wonderfully cohesive piece of work." -- Maverick
"steeped in country tradition, respected by his peers and nine albums into a career covered in kudos, if not actual fame and fortune. He is a great storyteller and 'Still Fighting is littered with broken war veterans, bruised lovers and others thrown onto lifes scrap heap. But he's equally at home with his affection for Whim of Iron's wilful female protagonist or the tongue-iin -cheek Texas Love Song." Q Magazine
July 2013
