Release Date: 24 August, 2004
Audio CD
Tracks
- The Revolution Starts?…
- Home To Houston
- Rich Man's War
- Warrior
- The Gringo's Tale
- Condi, Condi
- F The CC
- Comin' Around
- I Thought You Should Know
- The Seeker
- The Revolution Starts Now
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Rating 3.5
Some good songs, but not Steve's bestThis album has some songs that make you want to drive fast with the windows down and the radio up loud - F. the FCC, The Seeker and The Revolution Starts now, for example.
This album has some of the classic story songs with a consciense we've come to expect from Earle - Home to Houston, Rich Man's War.
Unfortunately, it also has a sketchy reggae-flavored tune - the Condi song just isn't musically satisfying, and I know that Steve CAN do reggae (a version of Rivers of Babylon with Emmylou Harris or his take on Johnny Too Bad are proof) - but he didn't pull it off here.
The Gringo's tale doesn't measure up to other story songs on this album, let alone to his best ones like Copperhead Road or Devil's Right Hand.
And, Comin' Around isn't the best duet he's ever done - not even the best one with Emmylou Harris.
So if it sounds like I think Steve Earle albums are a little formulaic, well, you are right. Thing is, it is a formula (3-4 real rockers, a couple of ballad/story songs, an couple of mid-tempo numbers, and a duet with a female singer) I typically like. However, if you are going to follow a formula, you need to get better each time you do it - this album didn't do that - the songs weren't of a consistent high quality like Jerusalem or Guitar Town or Transcendental Blues.
As for the politics of the album, no complaints here - but all of us who reviewed this album knew before we bought it what to expect there, so it seems a little disingenuous to review the album negatively based on those views (versus how well he executes the musical expression of them) - kind of like reviewing a Ted Nugent album and talking about what you thought of the guns rather than the songsDiamonds in the Rough4.5 stars, actually. This review is aimed at those whom I consider to be too harshly critical of Steve Earle's political bent of late. His views don't threaten me in the least. I'm comfortable being challenged by opposing points of view but I'm not really the opposition here. Fundamentally, I believe Earle is right on when he talks about what democracy is and should be. Now, to the music:
I don't generally do the track by track analysis, but this disc is somewhat uneven in my opinion and I don't want the great tunes to get short shrift by the averaging process. Before you get too worried about the "uneven" comment above, realize that I like this disc very much and enjoy listening to it as a whole and even repeatedly. For certain, there are songs on this disc some folks won't care for, but the good tunes are really good. Yes, it's political, but for the most part, I think it is in the finest folk music tradition. My track-by track analysis:
1) and 10) The title song is on twice, first and last, so I initially got a little tired of it but lately I like it more. It's a song that kicks but as a message it never had a chance in this day and age and that's a huge pity. 7/10
2) Home to Houston: This one is pretty good Earle twang and is a great song about being a real grunt in the war with your neck stuck out. 6/10
3) Rich Man's War: Vintage Earle lyrics, telling the same old story. Could have been written by Fogerty in the 60's - maybe Fortunate Son was the inspiration? 9/10
4) Warrior: Spoken word. The message is harsh and overall it doesn't move me - at least not yet. Sort of an anthropological study, it seems. But as a piece of art, I like it and appreciate the sound sculpture. 5/10
5) The Gringo's Tale: Vintage Earle lyrics and superb delivery. A modern day classic. Rich stuff. 9.8/10
6) Condi, Condi: Kinda cutesy reggae tune, but short on substance. 4/10
7) F the CC. The profanity will blackball this for most, but I think the song is hilarious and potent all at the same time. Protest music '05. I bet Bob Dylan likes it. 9.5/10
8) Comin Around: duet with Emmylou. Not a bad tune but not the highlight by a long shot. 6/10
9) The Seeker: Another great Steve Earle folk tune, rich in color and texture. What an incredible storyteller he is. What a great way to communicate philosophy on a CD devoted to political commentary. Grand slam. 9.8/10.
So on average, it's not his best work, but it's close and you don't want to be without the good ones there. In my way of ranking songs, 6/10 is pretty strong stuff that I can listen to repeatedly. It is a must-have disc for fans and critics alike. This music will live forever. Long live the king!
ExcellentDidn't Care for it much the first few spins, but grew on me big time. I listened to the old stuff (Guitar Town, Exit 0, Copperhead Road, The Hard Way) 'til the groves wore off. I appreciate this newer music more though. Takes a lot of guts to make a record that says something. Some people forget that some of (if not all of) the best music was built on anger and controversy - an actual message. F the CC is the best. If you believe these establishments should go pound sand, why hold back? They don't. Really loved the live show. It's when you see Steve sing and talk about the songs and the message, you see it's not hype and grandstanding for attention - it's for real and that's what makes this such a good album. Never be afraid to speak your mind, and to hell with the nilly willy's. |
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