Country music is probably the most divisive musical genre. It’s very easy to be snooty about it or just see it as schmaltzy stuff for rednecks and hillbillies, and to be fair there is, as with every other type of music, a lot of dross out there. On the other side of coin, the very best country music taps into authentic America folk traditions and is played with genuine emotion and talent.
This album falls somewhere in the middle. I was all prepared to write this off as some sort of parody, judging by the opening title track which leans into the familiar tropes with glee. Indeed, one of the later songs is called ‘Good Ol’ Boy’ without a trace of irony.
However, it didn’t take long for Steve Earle to win me over. It’s obvious that he loves the music and the songs, and it’s nicely done without going over the top. On top of that, he seems like a genuinely nice guy - he’s a socialist, pro-choice and anti-death penalty, and he’s not been afraid to criticise the current president, as well as pointing out that the Democrats should do more to engage with working class Americans.
Not the world’s greatest country album, but a solid three stars nonetheless.
https://album.link/gb/i/1440839053
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