Review: Kip Moore's 'Damn Love'

Moore's fifth album is stellar

I keep coming back to one album over the past month. I’ve listened to the entire disc almost daily.

Yes, it’s that good.

You don’t know what you’re missing if you haven’t listened to Kip Moore’s new album, “Damn Love.” It’s a solid listen from start to finish and a good example of why Kip quickly became one of my favorite singer/songwriters over the past several months.

There’s something about Kip’s songwriting that feels like he’s written far more than five albums. His first album, “Up All Night’ came out only 11 years ago. And while Kip is considered country, there’s something more to his musical style that doesn’t quite fit the contemporary country mold. He’s come a long way from “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,” which, while a good song, seemed to try to force him into a stereotypical country box.

“Damn Love” isn’t exactly a country album. It has hints of country throughout, but of the album’s 13 tracks, only “Kinda Bar” has that honky tonk country sound. It’s an incredibly catchy song that will get you singing along. Although I think it is missing what feels like a natural kick-back-in-for-another-rowdy-chorus ending. But overall, it’s an earworm of a song.

While catchy songs are always appreciated, where Kip excels is in his storytelling. Many of his songs grab the listener and take them on a journey.

Kip laments in “The Guitar Slinger”:

“Another dawn’s creeping in

And I guess it’s my bedtime again

And some old farmer fills his cup

While I’m coming down from last night’s buzz.”

In the chorus, he belts out:

“It’s the life and times of the guitar slinger

The day and the night of the good-time bringer

Highs and lows of a sad song singer

I’m a simple man, but it’s complicated

When your soul’s on fire, and your heart feels faded

But I ain’t complaining.”

Kip’s delivery brings the turmoil of the song’s subject to life – a man whose heart isn’t in the musician life any longer. The guitar slinger is no longer the man on the inside that the audience sees on the outside.

The guitar work on the track is gripping. But it’s Kip’s voice that truly sells the song. There’s something about his voice that just demands attention. It’s unique, with perhaps a little southern twang and some gravel in it – a Bob Seger meets John Cafferty with a little hint of Neil Diamond combination is what keeps coming to mind. It’s powerful and exudes honest emotion.

In album closer “Micky’s Bar,” Kip sets the scene in the song open:

“Same old scene, same ol’ faces

Drop in for drinks at Micky’s bar

And that neon sign is just like a magnet

For all the hopeful and lonely hearts, yeah.”

We learn about a few of the familiar faces through the eyes of the singer, who then fixates on “sweet Jane” in the corner. He sets the scene and then takes you into a snapshot of time in this little hole in the wall full of a usual cast of characters.

But it’s “Neon Blue” that is my favorite (right now – this can change), which explores the feelings of looking around and realizing you don’t fit in anymore.

Kip sings in the chorus:

“Guess the world just don’t wait on no cowboy like me

Wants to lock down what needs to be free

Blowing in the wind like an ol’ tumbleweed

Don't know where I'm goin' but that's where I'll be.”

This type of song sets Kip apart.  

Not that he can’t write a straightforward song with a catchy chorus. In addition to “Kinda Bar,” “Heart on Fire” gets you moving, while “Peace & Love” has a mellow, pop sound that will have you humming. He has excellent instincts when it comes to writing songs that make you want to sing along - like “She’s Mine" from the album “Wild World” and “Come and Get It” from the album “Wild Ones.”

I saw Kip Moore in concert last year, and the show blew me away. But during that show, he mentioned that this is the last album of his contract with MCA Nashville. He talked about it in a way that made it seem like his career could be over after this record. I thought it was odd because artists don’t need a record label these days. They can release their music on their own without much issue.

However, hearing the themes on this record and connecting back to his comments, it makes me wonder if “Damn Love” represents where his own head has been. Perhaps he’s struggling with the desire for a simple life he sings about in “Mr. Simple” while still having the fire inside to create art for his fans.

And if not, it’s just a further testament to how well he sells his songs with his performances in a way that touches your soul.  

And how damn talented he is.