We previously featured JT Catalano when he celebrated gratitude, roots and human connection with a poetic ode to his hometown, Cheers, so when we heard that the rising star was back with Felon Angels, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Felon Angels opens with a subversive dark Americana energy with a whirring sub-bass and textured percussion as a bass-heavy spoken-word intro announces, “The law called them felons…”. This is followed up by guitar twangs and piano riffs as JT Catalano shares a thought-provoking tale with the opening lyrics, “Flooded with crack, catch ’em in the act, judge is sending ’em back, three times it’s a wrap, saran ’em like that, wasn’t random in fact, planned-out attack, now they slammed in the shack, doing life back to back to back…”
In essence, a story unfolds of those whose lives are destroyed by wrongful convictions, addiction and a justice system that punishes us with harsh prison sentences for alleged or minor crimes to suit a certain agenda. The message feels super zeitgeist, and serves as an important commentary on what goes on in America even today, and certainly since the beginning of time.
Instead of treating the root causes of people’s struggles with addiction, we are punished with racial, cultural, and societal prejudice. The song focuses on the notion of “felon angels” who made mistakes but still have humanity, including a boxer and a fellow inmate who becomes JT’s protector despite being labeled a criminal. Overall, it is a poignant critique of the justice system, the war on drugs and mass incarceration.
JT’s flow is sublime and reminds us of a present day Bob Dylan, as the narrative is not dissimilar to his song Hurricane. The piano performance is incredible, and the song even comes with an epic and cinematic music video that brings to life the story.
The accompanying handwritten true story of Felon Angels by JT Catalano recounts how JT was wrongly arrested for a violent assault and, whilst awaiting trial, was protected by his fellow inmate who was serving a life sentence under harsh drug laws. JT wrote the song twenty years later.
There is no doubt that the song would be a great fit in films like The Hurricane (1999) which depicts boxing champion Rubin Carter’s fight for freedom after a wrongful triple-murder conviction, In the Name of the Father (1993) which follows Gerry Conlon’s battle to clear his name after a false bombing confession, and Trial by Fire (2018) which exposes the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham based on flawed arson forensics.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Felon Angels to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of JT Catalano, including Back To The Frontier, Delulu, and Crashing Couches.