Watchlist Review - Cityview

SOUND CHECK
3/1/2017
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“Watchlist”Aaron Earl Short
Independent
During the last two decades, Aaron Earl Short has quietly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Iowa roots sound. From The Creek Dwellers to his family band The High Crest to his other family band, Eastside Brothers, Short has shown real growth in his performance style and songwriting. With “Watchlist,” we get Short in his most stripped down and purest form, and it’s another leap forward creatively. In the 11 tracks of “Watchlist,” Short gives himself room to stretch and touches on a variety of topics ranging from a straightforward look at childhood (“Backyard”) to political screeds (“Eminent Domain,” “Governor’s Boy”) to examinations of alcoholism (“Pour it Down the Drain,” “The Devil’s Bar”). It’s a lot to cover, but the songs are grouped in such a way that everything flows nicely, without the scattered feel you might expect from such a variety of topics. Without his brother, wife or child sharing the songs, Short seems to have turned his focus inward for “Watchlist.” It’s a strong musical showing and proof that Short is in the enviable position of having a wealth of material to draw from. Let’s hope that well never runs dry.

By Joe Lawler
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http://www.dmcityview.com/uncategorized/2017/03/01/sound-check-6/

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