Black listed by Nashville, shunned by LA, Steve Earle has spent a career refusing to fit into anyones niche yet has somehow managed to nurture a career. How? By churning out excellent songs. Texas born this is decidedly country fare yet his subject matter and approach allows it to cross boundaries. You wont find any new-country cheese, “patriotic” jingo’ism that Nashville seems to have exploding diarrhea fits with these days here. Au contraire, there is enough protest music in here to get you through the next four years. Earle reminds us that Texas was the original home of the anti-federalist rebel, that the state refused to conform, once upon a time. Its no small irony, or sign, that this cd doesn’t have a red (country/bluegrass) sticker. Play this with your other protest music, alt.country, mopey indie rock. Note anti-war songs 3, 5, the anti FCC song 7 (but don’t play it!), and the love song written to Condileeza Rice 6.

1) simple mid paced roots rock with great message “the revolution starts now” but a little too slick for my tastes
2) good hard country, trucks, texas, what else you want?
3) “just another poor boy off to fight a rich man’s war”, excellent with pleasant south of the border feel
4) wow, spoken word venom intro to heavy alt.country feel
5) pleasant western twang to this harsh out anti war song, pro-pacifism
6) carribo flare, love song for Condileeza Rice (!)
7) FCCs “fuck the FCC”
8) duet with female vocalist, just a great song
9) bitter jaded song about love, great
10) borders on a new country feel with soaring melody hook
11) redux of track 1