Label: Nonesuch

Verdict: An exceptional record from an industry veteran who just won’t lie down.  8/10.

Despite having played with everyone from The Rolling Stones to Captain Beefheart over the course of his four-decade-long musical career, American singer-songwriter Ry Cooder shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

Inspired by the recent global financial downturn, Cooder’s 14th studio album is a politically-charged affair that addresses contemporary issues like economic inequality and social injustice without ever sacrificing a hint of melody or soul.

Musically, Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down is a generally mellow and minimalistic affair, primarily drawing inspiration from traditional American styles like the blues, ragtime and roots.  The record’s raw production lends Cooder a very loose and live feel, a feature which only serves to further emphasise the album’s strengths; the vocals and the guitars.  

In interviews regarding the new record, Cooder has stated that the first song he wrote for Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down was “No Banker Left Behind”, and the passion, vitriol and disgust that fuels it makes it a clear highlight.

Elsewhere, moodier tracks like “Baby Joined The Army” and “John Lee Hooker For President” offer some stylistic variation, contrasting nicely with the more (ironically) upbeat sounding songs on offer that make up the album.

On the whole, the only real let down is the somewhat awkward “Christmas Time This Year”; while conceptually the song is strong and fits within the overall feel of the record, the irony of the track’s sarcastic lyrics and title never quite manage to take off.

Overall, Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down is a lyrically and musically interesting affair, offering a strange yet effective juxtaposition of American folk and challenging political critique.  Ry Cooder’s age may be rapidly approaching 70, but his music remains just as essential and timely as ever.