James McMurtry album Complicated Game landed among most bloggers Best Albums of 2015: “James McMurtry, the son of novelist Larry McMurtry, puts his yarn-spinning genes to good use in dark tales on ‘Complicated Game,’ an acoustic Americana masterwork and his first album since 2008’s politically caustic Just Us Kids. This time, the singer-songwriter leaves protest tunes behind for more personal narratives. He flaunts his guitar chops on rock stomper How’m I Gonna Find You Now, but most of the dozen tracks keep the focus on McMurtry’s rich literary talents.”
The first studio album in six years from the dean of Texas songwriting. McMurtry turns a phrase better than most, and injects an extraordinary pathos into his everyman characters. He didn’t miss a beat during the half-dozen years delay, and this one is well worth the wait.
I’m not sure there is anyone out there today who can write songs about everyday scenarios as perfectly as James McMurtry. On his latest effort, McMurtry strips down his songs to their basics and lets the focus be on the stories within each song. The incredibly heartbreaking song “You Got To Me” will leave you missing something- whether that be home, a past relationship, or just earlier years will be up to you.
The Fat Angel Sings 