Hear Cory Branan’s Self-Deprecating New Song ‘Imogene’
Cory Branan waxes nostalgic on “Imogene,” a tongue-twisting, half-assed serenade to a lover who’s already halfway out the door, from his forthcoming album Adios. The track pairs Branan’s scissor-sharp songwriting instincts – melodies that pitch their tent halfway between the fresh and the familiar, backed by lyrics that are both self-deprecatingly dry and storybook-level rich – with organ and electric guitar.
“You could say that I was a waste of your time, but to say I tried to make you cry was asinine,” he argues midway through the self-produced song. Then, in an effort to prove his innocence, he paints himself as a slacker instead. “Imogene, could you imagine me trying?” he reasons. “Imogene, have you ever seen me try?”
Billed as “Cory Branan’s death record,” Adios spins stories of deceased dads, lost-long lovers and even American politics. Branan recorded the album’s 14 songs in Oxford, Mississippi, with James Haggerty and former Deer Tick drummer Robbie Crowell joining him on every song. Amanda Shires makes an appearance, too, filling a cameo role previously occupied by Jason Isbell on 2014’s No Hit Wonder, while Dave Hause – another punk-influenced roots-rocker who, like Branan, cut his teeth on harder material before taking a folksy turn – splits background harmonies with Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace on “I Only Know.”
Adios says “hola” on April 7th. Branan will hit the road to support the album in early March, playing a series of rare full band shows along with his more typical solo gigs.
Cory Branan 2017 tour dates:
March 2 – Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco
March 3 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
March 4 – Macon, GA @ The Hummingbird
March 5 – Jacksonville, FL @ Nighthawks
March 7 – Orlando, FL @ The Copper Rocket
March 8 – Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
March 9 – Gainesville, FL @ High Dive
March 14 – Houston, TX @ Mucky Duck
March 21 – Fort Worth, TX @ The Live Oak Music Hall
March 22 – Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard
March 23 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
March 28 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
March 29 – Goshen, IN @ Ignition Music Garage
March 30 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewing Co.
April 6 – Somerville, MA @ Thunder Road [Solo]
April 7 – New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine [Solo]
April 9 – Port Chester, NY @ Garcia’s At The Capitol Theatre [Solo]
April 11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade [Solo]
April 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy [Solo]
April 13 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin’ Java [Solo]
April 15 – Johnson City, TN @ The Willow Tree [Solo]
April 21 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
April 27 – Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse
April 28 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
April 29 – West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern