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Culwell’s released three albums so far, and while his previous efforts have hinted at his ability to convey the bleak imagery so essential to his story, Flatlands may be the one that states it best. It’s a fascinating album, one that offers every indication it will provide some sort of breakthrough.
Culwell pulls out all the stops this time around, wisely enlisting Neilson Hubbard as both producer and player. Hubbard’s knack for casting dark designs ensure Flatlands gets the appropriate ambiance, an overcast, sometimes stormy veil of doom and despair that’s evident in not only the titles, but also the tone that’s given these songs—“Never Gonna Cry”, “Darkness, Piss Down”, and “Won’t Come Home” in particular. That’s not to say that the material is wholly given over to despair. Culwell makes it clear he’s going to persevere with resilience and determination. So while Flatlands may sometimes seem overly circumspect, the delivery comes across with a decided sense of triumph. For all the obstacles he bemoans, Culwell still retains his swagger and defiance, a defensive attitude perhaps, but one that serves him well when struggling with his adversity. Even when the music takes its darkest turns—the stark “Satisfied” describes in bitter detail a young man’s jail cell suicide—Culwell still manages to carry himself with unrepentant insistence.