Langhorne Slims latest effort, Be Set Free, isnt exactly a departure from his last, self titled record. In many ways, this is Langhorne Slim, part deux. The biggest difference between the two albums isnt the music both feature Slims signature folky twang but their themes. While Slims first album was all about falling in love, this album pertains to the hardship of leaving, and then coming back home to, that love. Recorded while the ever-transient Slim resided in Portland, Be Set Free gets some additional Northwestern flavor from the production skills of the Decemberists Chris Funk and Emerald City luminary Tucker Martine. And while his records are always good, the thing that makes me sing his praises, the thing that sets him apart and makes him someone you look forward to seeing time and again, is his inspired live show. A natural born roadhouse revivalist, Slims sexy Southern sing -a-longs combine the best of what hootenanny and honky tonk have to offer. MA’CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
Mon., Nov. 2, 8 p.m., 2009
