Colter Wall: Little Songs

In an era when mainstream country has largely abandoned its roots for pop crossover appeal, Saskatchewan's Colter Wall stands as a striking anachronism—and therein lies both his artistic power and commercial vindication. His fourth studio album, Little Songs, serves as compelling evidence that Blake Shelton's infamous 2013 declaration that "Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa's music" was spectacularly shortsighted.

Wall's journey to becoming country music's most authentic traditionalist began unconventionally. Despite being steeped in country music from childhood in rural Saskatchewan, he started learning guitar at age 13, initially drawn to rock bands like AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin. His artistic awakening came during grade 10 or 11 when he discovered Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," which inspired him to transition from playing guitar to writing and singing songs.

This rock foundation surprisingly serves Wall's country authenticity well, lending a gravitas to his deep baritone that feels genuinely lived-in rather than artificially rustic. His voice—a remarkable instrument that seems to channel the vast prairie winds of his homeland—has become the perfect vehicle for connecting contemporary audiences to country music's foundational stories.

Little Songs emerged from three years of writing, with Wall noting that he "penned most of them from home" and believes "the songs reflect that". Produced by Wall and Patrick Lyons and recorded at Yellowdog Studios in Wimberley, Texas, the album features eight original compositions alongside two carefully chosen covers: Hoyt Axton's "Evangelina" and Ian Tyson's "The Coyote & The Cowboy".

The album's title reflects Wall's philosophy about filling the "big empty" of prairie life with music. As he sings, "You might not see a soul for days on them high and lonesome plains. You got to fill the big empty with little songs"—a sentiment that encapsulates both the geographical and emotional landscape that informs his artistry.

Little Songs received multiple vinyl treatments, including an indie retail exclusive baby blue variant and a deluxe 180g black vinyl edition housed in a tip-on litho jacket with a 24×36 poster/lyric sheet. However, the pressing quality exemplifies the ongoing challenges with GZ Media's manufacturing.

Collector reports from Discogs reveal the typical GZ inconsistency: "Quality control seems to be spotty. My copy has non-fill, particularly in the first songs on each side and is overall noisy", while others report "fantastic pressing, sounds great!" and "my copy sounds great, no pops, nice sound".

The manufacturing inconsistency is particularly frustrating given the album's sonic qualities. When pressed well, Little Songs showcases Wall's commanding vocal presence with remarkable clarity. The production maintains an appropriately warm, analog character that complements the traditional instrumentation. However, the bass-heavy mix may require some EQ adjustment on revealing systems to achieve optimal balance between Wall's vocals and the instrumental accompaniment.

Wall's success with traditional country material directly contradicts the mainstream industry's assumptions about audience preferences. His 2020 album Western Swing & Waltzes debuted at #1 in physical country sales, proving that audiences do indeed want to hear "grandpa's music" when it's presented with genuine artistry.

As noted by Saving Country Music, Wall has achieved something remarkable: "Taking some of the most arcane and overlooked entries into the North American songbook, penning songs inspired by such compositions, and singing them with such passion and conviction that the appeal for them far surpasses the otherwise niche audience for such music".

The artist's appeal spans generational lines in ways that confound industry wisdom. Young fans report that "my 17-year-old son's second favorite, right behind Zach Bryan and ahead of Tyler Childers" and that when Wall's latest album was released, teenagers "had a listening party for it". This demographic crossover demonstrates that authenticity, rather than trend-chasing, remains country music's most powerful currency.
Collector's Verdict

The Vinyl Verdict
Despite GZ Media's quality control issues, Little Songs represents essential listening for serious country collectors. The album stands as both artistic statement and market validation for traditional country music's enduring appeal. For collectors willing to navigate the pressing lottery, hunting for a clean copy rewards patience with one of 2023's most significant country releases.

When country music's young generation proves that audiences do want to hear "grandpa's music"—they just want it presented with genuine artistry rather than calculated nostalgia—Little Songs becomes both a musical triumph and a vindication of traditional values. Wall continues to demonstrate that the path forward for country music might actually lead through its past. 💰

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