Great Music While High: Tim Barry

Tim Barry’s narrative style brings the honest nature of folk music full circle on his album Rivanna Junction. His songs explore the full range of emotions, exploring restlessness, enjoying the simplicities of life, falling in love, jumping trains and family honor. Barry is easily remembered from punk rock band Avail, and while many of his albums pay homage to his punk rock past, Rivanna Junction stays quietly away from previous workings, staying decidedly bluegrass.

The gruff twang of Barry’s voice in songs like Dog Bumped and C’mon Quinn demand immediate attention. Barry’s vocal range varies from rough whisky pulls, to harmonic and laid back, making this album the perfect refuge for a multitude of speed and sounds. The stripped down music is centered around Barry’s acoustic guitar, occasionally accompanied by violin, piano and dobro.

Church of Level Track is the prize pony from the album, unafraid of dynamic lyricism and instrumental composition. The song shares train hopping reflections, and introspective decisions, “Although it ain’t right/ I’m not heading home tonight/
And if I die thinking here/ I wont die wondering/
How life could’ve turned out,” ultimately, embracing the decision to explore possibilities rather than live with regret. The ultimate take away, is Barry’s piss-all and be true to yourself mentality, which he carries through each song, regardless of the story being told.