What does it sound like?:
In recent years Steve Earle has gone off the boil. We have variously had a Blues album, a New York album, a Turntable album, a Townes tribute album and a lacklustre set of duets with Shawn Colvin which must surely go down as a missed opportunity. None were terrible but neither were they classic Earle.Here he is most definitely back to what he does best – an all out Country and rocking album that starts at a blistering pace before introducing some songs of real quality. My favourites are Walkin in LA, You broke my heart and the lovely homage to his late friend Guy Clark – Goodbye Michelangelo. What I like about this album as much as the great songs is the high energy of the band – burning guitars and excellent fiddling feature prominently and give substantial heft to the material on offer. Steve’s voice is great too – something missing from the Colvin Duet album. If I was asked where it would fit in his cannon of work I would suggest right there with Guitar Town, Exit O and flashes of Copperhead Road on the rockier numbers. The release of this came out around the same time as the new Justin Townes Earle album, indeed I ordered them from the Tax Dodgers at the same time. I fully expected junior to outshine the old man as on other recent releases however not this time. Senior has got his mojo back and it is welcome around these parts. Steve Earle released a string of top releases earlier in his career and it is pleasing to know he still has it. Maybe the recent divorce has spurred him to make sure he has the alimony covered.
What does it all *mean*?
The old brigade can still do it – the youngsters might need to up their game.
Goes well with…
This week has been sweltering – some of the races rockers fit that vibe perfectly. There is introspection too so depending which side of Earle you like best there is something for all.
What there is not is political commentary – most unlike Mr Earle given the dickhead we have in the White House. Maybe he just thought fuck it, lets have some fun.
Release Date:
Might suit people who like…
The Country outlaw hierarchy – Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, The Old 97’s, Guy Clark and of course Townes.
bungliemutt says
Yep, definitely a return to former glories. I didn’t buy Terraplane or the Shawn Colvin thing, and had almost given up on another decent Steve Earle album, so this is a welcome surprise.
bigstevie says
We knew he was going to do a blues album, and that’s what we got with Terraplane. I like the blues and I think it’s a good album. The Colvin and Earle cd lets us down because there’s very little new stuff……still worth getting.
I like the new one fine. Much of it reminds me of his first 2 albums. I’m putting that down to him returning to Richard Bennett as the producer. There’s a little 3 note descending guitar lick all through this album which is also on the first two. That’s Bennett’s work.
So far, I like the duet with Miranda Lambert best, but I’m a sucker for duets.
retropath2 says
Where do you place El Corazon in the pecking, @stevet ? It’s my fave and if you say it is as good, I’ll be a tenner, or thereabouts, shorter.
John Walters says
“Transcendental Blues” is my favourite.
Junior Wells says
I’m with @John-Waters, Transcendental is my favourite and the dirty sounding guitar and very gravelly voice has it more in the Ashes /Transcendental era – and that ain’t a bad thing.
I agree it gets better as it goes in and it is also better than Justin’s album. He has more colours in his palette than Justin.
SteveT says
Agree re Richard Bennett @bigsteviecook – he has done a great production job. He is part of Mark Knopflers touring band and an incredible guitarist in his own right.
Where do I place El Corozon in the pecking order @retropath2 – maybe 2nd or 3rd. I have a heavy bias towards Guitar Town as I played it continuously upon release and is still my favourite. El Corazon would vie for second place with Train A Comin the splendid album he released after getting out of nick. Even the more recent albums have some good stuff on them. The one I find hardest to like is The Mountain principally because I am really not that keen on bluegrass.
Junior Wells says
The Mountain in top 4
Pretty much a sequence
Corazon Mountain Transcendental Ashes for me
bigstevie says
I assume that you mean Jerusalem Junior?
Does no one have any love for his output after Jerusalem?
The Revolution Starts Now won a Grammy, even though it contains the risible Condi Condi and F the CC. First and last tracks are the same one. Does he think we’re stupid? Otherwise, I think it’s a good album.
Some soppy love songs on Washington Square Serenade but he wasn’t long married, so that’s fine. Won a Grammy again.
Just An American Boy is a great live album. What’s a fan not gonna like?
Townes. Much as I like TVZ, I don’t like this album. Only played it a couple of times.
I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive has soppy stuff, political stuff and a couple of great songs out of Treme. I like it.
Getting all political again on The Low Highway but more great stuff from Treme again. To be honest, after Townes, this is my least favourite.
Lots of great stuff in there. Maybe we’ve all got too much music to listen to and don’t spend enough time on new purchases.
Don’t mind me. I’m a fanboy and he can’t do much wrong in my book.
Baron Harkonnen says
What he said. ^^^^^
Junior Wells says
Yeah Jerusalem. Low Highway is quite good but probably sounded better because of what preceded it.Revolution Starts Now is really good and the live album of that period is tops. Washington Serenade was the pits and Townes was SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT. I mean how could he fuck that up. One of the great songwriters of his oeuvre and a friend and the album is fucking boring.
dai says
Thanks, will get this. For me his best 3 are El Corazon, Train a Comin and I Feel Alright. Early ones are pretty good too especially Guitar Town and Copperhead Rd , love The Mountain too
Twang says
I’m pretty much with Dai here. I Feel Alright is probably my all out favourite. I got the New York one and nothing since. Probably need to visit his Spotify presence to sample the more recent ones before buying.
bobness says
10 months between posts? Thanks for reminding me Twang.
Big fan here, for 25+ years, seen him close to double figures times times. El Corazon is my fave, probably next is Jerusalem, then Transcendental Blues, then Train a Comin, then I feel Alright, then Copperhead road etc etc. I have a soft spot for the Hard Way, despite the big bad biker image makeover.
He certainly never makes the same album twice.
WSS is probably my least favourite (as above, it seems).
This album is a grower, certainly.
A 20 song “best of SE” playlist would be a mighty 90 minutes or so indeed.
Amerika V6.0 is an unusual song in that it has no chorus as such, save a monster “riff”, which serves as such. That’s a thread in itself…