Much-admired, rightly and properly-acclaimed Foo Fighters guitarist/songwriter Chris Shiflett delivers his latest solo album, Lost At Sea (Snakefarm Records), and proves yet again, experience can count for so, so much. 

This is the kind of record you’re convinced “they” don’t make any more, and then you hear it and think … thank you for making it, just that way. A bit Americana, Alt-Country and endearingly honky tonk, with a dash of Dylan, and Tom Petty, this grown-up guitar collection delivers a mature statement of where Shiflett, 52, is at right now. If I were to call it “middle-aged”, that would, of course, be meant as a compliment. Middle-aged is cool when it comes to this kind of thing!

The album moniker, plus song titles like “Dead And Gone”, “Overboard” and “Damage Control”, might sound like harbingers of doom, and remember this is the first Shiflett solo long-playing release since the too, too early and too, too sad demise of fellow Foo Taylor Hawkins. Much of the material on Lost At Sea, though, seems to have originated before then, back in the pandemic, and despite all that has since occurred, this is, in the main, fun, fun, fun. But mature fun. 

“Overboard” is a stand-out, with something of a Jason Isbell vibe – along with “Black Top White Lines”, and others, “grown-up” storytelling, songs with real characters and real character. “Weigh You Down” is another highlight, a proper Whiskey Myers-style country rocker, while “Burn The House Down” keeps the bar high and “Carrie Midnight Texas Queen” does everything it says on the honky honk tin.

Shiflett’s voice is warm, confident and inviting, his all-round efforts boosted by a selection of guest geetarists in fine fettle, with Tom Bukovac, Charlie Worsham and Nathan Keeterle. Co-songwriting credits go to Kendell Marvel, Cody Jinks, John Osborne and others, not to mention producer/collaborator/writer Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three).

All in all, with a bunch of superior talents, working together, and sounding so smooth, the result is a good-time, ten-track album, nicely Nashville and great fun, even if tinged and darkened by angst (see “Burn the House Down”, “I Don’t Trust My Memories Anymore” and, despite its loosey-goosey, jokey façade, “Where’d Everybody Go”). 

Closing song “Parties” is a punky hoot, expertly booted and suited in preparation for some raucous live outings – you must let some middle-aged guys into your parties?!

Buy the album here:

https://snakefarm.lnk.to/CSLostAtSea

8 / 10

CALLUM REID