Jimmy Buffett's newest album inspired by recession and Timbuktu happy hour.

July 8, 8:11 PMPhoenix Music Beat ExaminerLauren Wise

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By ACheapSeat.com / Jimmy Buffett performing

When Jimmy Buffett says it's always five o'clock somewhere, you better believe he means it. In fact, he traveled all the way to Timbuktu to have happy hour with a group of nomadic Tuareg musicians at the Festival in the Desert, an annual gathering in Africa.

It was here that he gained inspiration to start writing, which would end up becoming  his newest album that is slated for release by the end of the year. Buffett hasn't had a new album since 2006, and says that the reason for this new burst of creative energy is because his trek to Africa was one of the best musical experiences of his life. This inspiration is paired up with his point of view on the current recession, intertwining his usual upbeat outlook with some satire and sarcasm.

For example, the two most popular new songs are "A Lot To Drink About", (which has lyrics about Madoff taking off with money) and "Surfing in a Hurricane". The names describe the current economical state perfectly, and Buffett feels it's the perfect way to appeal to his long-standing loyal fans.

Buffett has been debuting these new songs on his current summer tour (his 32nd straight summer tour, no less), but he is trying out a different method of song writing for them. The songs change regularly, just as the economy and world issues do. Buffett says, "I'm seriously considering that I should keep writing verses and dropping them based on what the hell's happening out there". He likes the idea that lyrics in songs should be rotated, such as the recession, Wall Street, Madoff, swine flu, and environmental disasters, to name a few.

Mr. Margarita may have a problem with his die-hard fans knowing all the words to songs such as these, but here's to guessing that there will be solid originals for the new album!