Jailhouse Religion lives up to its title, then, not with a literal procession of prison songs, but with an exploration of the prisons we make for ourselves. Of course, these themes aren't exactly new to country music, either; but they're more successful for Childers because they seem closer to his heart. It's an oft-repeated maxim about jail music that the people who write it usually never set foot in a cell; even Mr. "Folsom Prison Blues" himself only got there for concert performances and one-night drunk and disorderly charges. And while I don't know anything about David Childers' criminal record, I can say that there's a good chance he's never served time either. Fortunately, for the bulk of his new album, that doesn't matter: very few of us have been to prison, but we've all had fatal flaws to overcome, personal demons to grapple with. That's the real jailhouse religion. And as far as I'm concerned, Childers & The Modern Don Juans handle it like pros.
Reviewed by Zach Hoskins
This review is also posted on The Modern Pea Pod.
Article comments
1 - LF
David Childers knows plenty about prison because he's a lawyer, representing criminals in appellate matters. I'll bet he's seen quite a bit for inspiration in his career.