482: Steve Earle, "Guitar Town"

Before: I think he's referenced in the lyrics of a song or two that I know. And I think my parents like him. That's all I got.

After: I feel ready to hear of alcohol-tinged, country-voice, middle aged rock 'n' groove sort of trip that will take me within smelling distance of Jimmy' Buffet's Margaritaville. I also sense some Billy Joel, triggered by the moments given to the piano to shine. I have a feeling that this is going to feel like a very long album, even though I'll make an effort to appreciate something in each song. But still... UGH! This is NOT my jam! This song is literally called "Hillbilly Highway". Really?

"Just when I knew that every ray of hope was gone..." This song has all the possible cheese factors in it to make me abhor it: that twang in the background that sounds like a sulking, jealous child. That tear-choked-sounding voice. The soft female accompaniment that sounds like a girlfriend trying to be the guys's girlfriend and mother because he's so broken. The really dumb line "my old friend the blues". YUCK.

(HALFWAY DONE: PHEW.)

I don't know if I could be friends with this guy because his voice is so treacherously tacky. He just keeps talking about the same overcooked subjects I hear so often in country music: "this small old town", heartbreak, the blues, pickup trucks, meager incomes, marriage problems, alcohol... the list goes on. But I guess mainstream music, in many of its genres, also focuses on heartbreak and alcohol, so maybe I should rethink how I define country music. Nah, I dislike it too much. Besides Taylor Swift (barely country anymore) and some Kacey Musgraves (she's actually amazing and you should check her out), along with some oldies country. But even then, it's usually mixed with folk or singer/songwriter genres.

Actually, this hyper-twang-electronic thing about two min into "Fearless Heart" is actually affecting me. I don't feel I can relate to this guy like he's my girlfriend, but I do identify with having a heart that seems to have an agenda of its own. Maybe he isn't as tacky as a bulletin board... he just speaks in a dialect that makes me cringe. But his feelings are understandable. (Wow, I related to this guy in a less-than-ugly light!)

Oh wait, now he's talking about Arkansas and said "little guy". Ugh.

I can imagine listening to "Little Rock 'N' Roller" as a five year old boy and feeling so loved and excited for the future. It's sweet. But still twangy.

The last song, "Down the Road", has an optimistic feel to it. It's bearable.

As soon as I finished the album (only 30 minutes, but 30 minutes of torture), I cleansed my mental musical palate with some King Charles' "Ivory Road". But it's like eating vegetables- I still did it!