Reviews (page 3 of 7)
Too notch karaoke music for a Tex Mex restaurant 3 margaritas deep
This album feels light, pure, and surprisingly catchy in the best way. While listening I felt a nice mix of easy-going warmth and real heart — it captures simple life in all its forms: the easy moments, the hard ones, the happy days, the sad ones, that quiet longing, and even some deeper beliefs about love and loss. It never tries too hard, and that’s exactly why it works so well. Dwight’s voice is smooth and honest, the honky-tonk instrumentation is tight without being flashy, and every song has this effortless charm. Tracks like “Streets of Bakersfield” and “I Got You” just stick with you. I really enjoyed every single second of it — it’s the kind of record that makes you tap your foot and feel something at the same time. It’s not the greatest country album ever made, and it doesn’t try to be revolutionary, but damn if it isn’t a really enjoyable, straightforward listen. Perfect for a long drive or just chilling at home. I liked it a lot.
Mediocre country that doesn't really do anything too new or interesting, but the musicianship is very impressive so it gets a pass. Also, what's up with the top review? That dude is seething about literally nothing lmao
2.5
"It's just that I won't use real silver. You know, like the big, old, heavy-ass forks and knives, I can't do that. It's the same thing as the antique furniture. I just don't like old stuff. I'm creeped out by it, and I have no explanation why ... I don't have a phobia about American antiques, it's mostly French—you know, like the big, old, gold-carved chairs with the velvet cushions. The Louis XIV type. That's what creeps me out. I can spot the imitation antiques a mile off. They have a different vibe. Not as much dust." - Billy Bob Thornton
Dwight Yoakam’s Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room is real-deal country—hard twang, high lonesome vocals, and enough Bakersfield bite to remind you why Yoakam was the genre’s great revivalist of the late ’80s. The record leans into its rootsy swagger from the jump, with “I Got You” balancing bright Telecaster snap and fiddle runs, and “What I Don’t Know” pushing things into brisk, boot-stomping territory. His duet with Buck Owens on “Streets of Bakersfield” adds a welcome zydeco-flavored lift thanks to that bubbling accordion, while “Send Me the Pillow” pairs Yoakam’s drawl with Maria McKee’s harmonies for one of the album’s warmest moments. And the title track, “Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room (She Wore Red Dresses),” turns sharply in its final verse, delivering the kind of dark narrative twist that shows Yoakam’s brand of tradition comes with real emotional stakes.
I like country, thought this was fun! Don't know if I'm a Dwight Yoakam convert but will see what I come back to.
Not bad, just not my style of music plus I think he has better albums/songs.
This collection could be called "Murderous Cucks," or "Cucks Prone to Domestic Violence." Country music, at its best, is about storytelling, and Yoakam spins some decent stories, even if the murderous cucks need the salvation of Jesus (See "Hold on to God," the last song) in the end. The musicianship is quite good. Overall, not my cup of tea.
Very standard country. Don't love it, don't hate it
I liked that a Dwight Yoakam album came up here. I'm not usually a big fan of American country, but I enjoyed this enough to grant it a slightly higher score than mediocre. No standout track, they all had a similar vibe, but it was overall a good exposition.
An excellent example of the genre, but it's not a genre I particularly enjoy
Not exactly my music but since I bought some cowboy boots yesterday I have to push my eating up by one star.
I gave the Nitty Gritty band a lot of shit, and good reason, but this Honky Tonk stuff is GOOD. He's not quite got the voice to pull it off sometimes, and I think the lyrics are a bit.... weird, but if this is the kind of country I have to listen to, I'll be much more grateful.
Favourite Songs: Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room (She Wore Red Dresses) I Hear You Knockin'
The 80s was not a good time for country music. This isn't bad but it's not great either.
Too country for me
No clue on what to expect, but I have a good feeling about this! Ok, so maybe I was naive to look at that title and expect a spanish sad album. Because this is not that! At all! While I'm not usually the biggest fan of country busic, this is not half bad! What i Don't Know tricks you, because what do you mean I've been banging my foot to a song about killing someone who's cheating? I've often heard this about older country songs, that the subject matter does not always match the lyrics, but this is the first encounter with that phenomenon that I've had. Fun! The same thing happens for the title track, but that one didn't impress me as much (or the song before that). I Sang Dixie somehow managed to make its way through my defenses and is now stuck in my head. Damn good song. Yeah same thing for Streets of Bakersfield. Don't have much to say, but this does make me want to speak in a southern accent and learn how to do that dance they do in movies. The rest of the record, while still enjoyable, does not reach the level of those two tracks in a row. Well, this was a very unexpected turn of events. Did I get countrypilled? Of all the things to happen to me in this list, I did not think I'd really like a country record! But yeah, this was enjoyable. Fun. Danceable. Yey!
When I say there needs to be more modern country on the list, I think I mean 80s/90s country. Even though I didn’t like it much, it had such a specific sound and vibe. Realizing the 80s were 40 years ago, I guess I can’t call it modern, but whatever era we consider it, it feels underrepresented on a list like this. I’m glad this album is here for that reason, but it was just alright. “Floyd County” was the highlight, and the rest was okay but kind of dragged considering how short the album was. This is a 2/2.5, but I wish there was some Garth Brooks or Toby Keith or Kenny Chesney to compare it to because I feel like I need to round up just so I can be like, “80s/90s country wasn’t all ass, some of it was mid to fine.” So 3 stars I guess.
This album was totally fine. Never cared much for Dwight's voice, but the backing band is pretty fun.
Typical sad country, but it's decent. better than the pop country stuff we see today.
Good folk album. In particular I enjoyed ‘I got you’ and ‘Streets of Bakersfield’. Rating 3/5- GEMV (9-10.03.2026]
Not really my lane. But a good record nonetheless. Well produced.
Just generic country. Inoffensive, but not really our thing and even after reading the Wiki we're not sure we understand why it made it's way on here.
I enjoy me some Dwight. This was great listening and I would do it again, just not that different from his other stuff. 3.
Good country music. Heavy and prominent backbeats everywhere. Smoothing. Very good vocals. It was a pleasant listen
decent country album. i think the opening track really set the stage with "I Got You", signalling that this album was going to really be about community and the people that got him to where he is. i'll always appreciate that message i suppose, as opposed to where most "pop country" has gone today
Its not pop country, and I will always appreciate that. Not gonna complain about some classic country/western sounds, even if it isn't my favorite genre. I'd be more than happy to have this album playing in the background around a bonfire or hanging out on the porch during the summer.
This album has that classic country sound and all the issues that come with it. Growing up in the South I was always kind of annoyed by older country; however, after listening to this list, it's interesting to see how unique it actually is.
Best Track - "I Got You"
Definitely enjoy this album it picked up around song 3 and ended after song 8 a good time has potential to grow to a 4 but I’m gonna put it at a three definitely will look into this artist more
The instrumentation is excellent and would rate very high on its own but his voice is just too twangy for me
This is the music that turned Nashville into a powerhouse…before the towers fell and turned the whole genre into Republican pop music
A VERY pleasant surprise. For what I’m assuming is country this was enjoyable and I’ll definitely listen again. 3.5 if i could.
I liked this more than I expected. I hesitate to give it a four as it wasn't particularly memorable.
Radio country from the 80s. Not bad. Not great. His better stuff was on a previous album.
An alright country album. Just like yesterday’s album. The title track was my favorite
It’s sounds like my childhood but I didn’t know a single song.
Enjoyable
Not my type of music and not something I would listen to again, but as far as country goes it wasn't bad. Just not for me.
You know.... for a country album, I really enjoyed this. It isn't moaning about love and sadness in the way some of the other ones have. This one is different because of the energy and playfulness laced in each song. The accordion was fascinating to me -- that, in addition with some of the instrumentation really reminded me of the Mexican music I grew up listening to.
I Came Here Looking For Something 1001 Albums Generator 219 (2/3/2025) Gosh, old-fashioned country just has such a charm to it, doesn't it? Of course, while this album has the sound of old-fashioned country, it's a bit of a facade, having come out in 1988! But Dwight Yoakam clearly has a deep love and respect for game, covering a Johnny Cash song (Home of the Blues) and featuring fellow Bakersfield legend Buck Owens on the wonderful cover of Streets of Bakersfield. Also, there are absolutely more "modern" elements here, like the recording and production on the drums throughout, but I feel like that distracts pretty minimally from the album overall. I found myself surprised at the constant bits of maximalist orchestration, with constant back-and-forths between Dwight's voice and various fiddles, mandolins, banjos, guitars, and more. It's all really well-composed. Also, the bits of Hispanic-sounding instrumentation (accordions?), like on the title track, are a really nice touch. The way that a lot of traditional Hispanic music and country intertwine is interesting generally. My biggest issue with this album is in the slower songs, like One More Name, that I just don't think are super interesting. Overall, I enjoyed my time with it, but I'm not sure I'd come back to the whole thing. 3.5/5, rounded down to a 3. Favs: I Got You Streets of Bakersfield Hold On To God Least Fav: One More Name
Uff, schon sehr gemächlich das Tempo dieses Albums. Stellenweise etwas zu gemächlich und fast schon einlullend.
ganz nette countrysounds
Chillig
3.5. Quite enjoyable honky tonkin
Pretty good, the kind of down-in-the-dumps, traditional country style that I like seeing a lot of '80s artists take on. While the production is a bit more involved and detailed than your typical classic country album, pulling in a slew of different instruments, the overall vibe is the same - super mopey. You get that right from the opening 'I Got You', with the protagonist aiming his grievances at society, or the title track, which is maybe the darkest track here, with the whole thing ending in a homicide of an unfaithful lady, as the protagonist loses his mind in heartbreak. Some other highlights here: I really liked the strings that come in on 'I Sang Dixie,' and the more upbeat accordion-backed 'Streets of Bakersfield' was a nice change of pace, and maybe the catchiest thing here. Overall, though, all the singing of death and heartbreak does get a bit tired by the end, especially over these mostly samey instrumentals and vocal style. Still a pretty solid listen, and not too long.
Some good classic country. Some weird obsessions with cheating and killing the cheater. Probably some other Yoakam I like better but not bad.
I do love a banjo
This doesn't make me feel anything but it's not hard to listen to
I love country music. A lot. And I am constantly upset there isn't more country artists on this list. While I do think Dwight is extremely influential, I can name 100 country artists more influential. And I am not sure this is even his best (or most influential) album - how many times you hear Guitars, Cadillacs?
Mix of older country and modern pop country. Some songs I really enjoyed and some were a little too modern for me.
thought this was a guaranteed 2 star but i actually like a few songs enough to listen to add to the rotation, and even the songs i wasn't crazy about usually had a riff or melody or something i at least found interesting
i didn't hate it and in fact my toe tapped at a few places. i'm sure this is the most milquetoast opinion on the face of the earth but country really was so much better in the 80s and 90s before somebody in nashville heard a migos song and said 'what if we just add a trap beat to every truck song?'
6/10
I appreciate this style of country much more than the current pop drivel that country has become. I see why the genre changed to appeal to the masses and to changing tastes, but it wasn’t a change for the betterment of the music.
I enjoyed the songs that blended mariachi music, however some songs definitely follow the typical country formula that we see today, along with some gospel and confederate apologist sentiments.
I dig this kind of country but thought the album was just okay.
Well, he’s consistent in his murderous ways, singing multiple times about killing his woman including shooting her in the head. Things lighten up later in the album but I missed the killing.
This was great, I wish country music was still like this instead of the america loving pop garbage it is now
First half was pretty good, especially title track. Bible thumping second half was boring
mi abuela es una puta
Pretty decent country but it sort of felt like it was going through the motions a bit. What I Don’t Know was good. High 3.
Pretty traditional sounding country music. Not special or different.
A good country album, maybe it was more influential back in the day? Not sure at 100% how long is on the list, but it’s really quality stuff. It starts.
This just really isn't my vibe or my jam. I'm not a country fan so I went into this telling myself to listen for technical precision and great lyrics and strong music. Sure, I got a good deal of all of that but it still just doesn't trip my trigger and this is not anything that I will return to. By the way, a couple of tracks made me feel like I should be sipping a margarita and eating chips and guac at the local Mexican place so maybe that's why I felt hungry after listening?
2,7*
Can't go wrong with this one for a solid country album. Make sure to be on a 10 hour roadtrip and put on endless.
Very average
While not really being that impressive, it's a decent album from an era where country went really pop. It's halfway between Vince Gill and Willie Nelson, just polished and pop enough to fit in the 80's, but lacking the rougher edge I like in a country album. The Buck Owens duet was pretty nice and I dug every song on here to some extent. All his other albums from the era are a much better showcase of his compositional talents though.
It was country music, not my preference, but I did not turn it off.
I don’t know enough about the genre to understand why this was chosen over any other album, but I think it represents the genre adequately.
Not that familiar with country although I do appreciate classic country and Townes van Zandt. This album is not bad, but it does get a bit boring and repetitive after a while.
Country really isen't my genre. But this was pretty ok. Some nice ballads in here.
Did not expect a country album. Was good, a little one dimensional by the end but was a great vibe.
Big fan of the Latin influences, not a big fan of the songs about murdering an ex-lover or cheating partner. Sad cowboys need break-up songs too I suppose.
I was hoping to like this more. It created the Bakersfield country sub-genre.
Today’s album gets a low 3 from me, I actually quite like the honky tonk sound but there wasn’t much special about this record and some of it was not to my taste, I also agree with some of the other reviewers re: the lyrics
ok western fare
Not my style and didnt listen the whole way through, but had some cool instrumentation and good writing from what I did listen to.
Twang a ding dong dang, not very distinctive
Enjoyable. I miss this kind of country music.
3.5 - I can appreciate that musically this is a good album but country just isn’t my thing…
I am not a country fan, for now, but strangely this help me focus
Sounds like the music that'd be playing in the background of some Southern themed chain of restaurants called 'Ole' Bob's Smokehouse' or something.
That's not my taste in music - But ok
My first country album from this list! And it’s a good one. This feels MILES away from modern country to me. Dwight sings with a twang. There are only a few instruments on each track- including fiddle, pedal steel, and accordion. There are no hip hop beats or Power Choruses. The songs tell stories. While this isn’t really my type of music it is well made, and I find it hard not to like. THREE STARS
Pretty good, worth sitting through
Was good, country music not being my thing but was enjoyable
A decent country album. Lots of guitar twang. Highlights: "I Hear You Knockin'" and "Floyd County"
Alright for country
Nao é o estilo de musica que escuto, mais é bem calma e parece trazer historia consigo Gostei, mais nao é o tipo que escuto
Poppy country. Seems like it would be a good live show but not my genre
I like the instrumentals quite a bit as it is very similar to old style country but more poppy and catchy. I really don’t like the vocals much, they’ve got that overly-emotional voice-cracky tinge to them which a lot of country artists seem to do. It’s not unbearable or anything but it’s just kind of annoying, it worked for like 2 songs which I’ll mention later. The lyrics were also pretty awful as a lot of them seemed to focus on him being annoyed at his partner cheating and him being way too aggressive about it and threatening murder which is a bit extreme. I much prefer the lyrical focus on old-style country themes in here like Floyd County snd streets of Bakersfield. It was a decent album but nothing I’m dying to go back to barr like 2 songs I liked. Favourites: Floyd County and Streets of Bakersfield. Overall, 5/10.
Good country singer. Definite country voice. Good music.
Twangy redneck shit.
Didn’t mind it, the first authentic country album I’ve listened to
Better than average country
Trad’ 80s country. The instruments all sound plastic and hollow, and the songs plod along at a regular pace. Still, some toes were tapped during the listening of this album.
I love the Bakersfield sound and country music in general, so I was pretty excited to get this album. It was honestly a little disappointing. The writing and instrumentation were a little underwhelming. I enjoyed the listen, but I would have expected an album in this genre to move me more. The songs never seemed to go anywhere energy-wise, even when the lyrics tried to point to a climax of a song. Overall, it’s decent, but there are significantly better examples of this genre and sound out there.
Nice familiar country
Not really my kind of thing, so not sure how to write a fair review. I can tell there’s good musicianship. Some of the songs have some melodies that are alright. I’ll just give it three stars. 3/5
Quite a good country album.
Your standard melancholy country and western. The vocals are good and the guitar diddys are nice.
Nice. A bit contrived and repressed. The music sounds super trad and so smooth the beauty becomes dull at some points but this is a country thing
3.5 Not bad - I didn't really know any of these songs and I do like some of Dwight's radio hits but it was a solid 'full album' that plays out loosely as a concept album
Classic tapedeck country music. I’m sure a lot of these lyrics don’t age all that well, but I can’t be bothered to listen that closely. I don't need the specifics to know Dwight is vaguely sad and that's really all I need from my country music. Dwight Yoakam was a borderline-unfortunate looking guy in 1988, and time hasn’t blessed him in that respect. Fortunately, he can sing and play enough guitar to support himself. I trust that he’s experienced with heartbreak and things not going his way, so these songs sound genuinely autobiographical to me.
Oikein mukava ja lepposa country levy jossa haisee Amerikka. Ei tätä montaa tuntia pitempää jaksaisi luukuttaa mutta ihan positiivinen lopputulema
Oispa 16 wheeler -rekka jolla ajella pitkin Arkansasia tätä kuunnellen. Menisi kyllä aika rattoisasti. Oikeasti tykkäsin! Tosi ajatonta musaa, joskin soundit kyllä vähän kasaria, mutta sillain hyvällä tavalla. Hienoja stemmoja, viulua ja kantrimelodioita. Välillä soi vähän haitarikin, siitä aina plussaa. Ihan liian vähän käytetty hieno instrumentti populaarimusiikissa. Laulajan äänestä en kauheasti pitänyt, mutta toisaalta ihan kanrrimieheltä se kuulosti. En tiedä tuleeko koskaan enää tätä kuunneltua, mutta olen iloinen että edes kerran elämässäni kuuntelin tämän levyn :) Ei kyllä kehtaa neljää tähteä antaa, kun Rush sai vaan kolme, niin mennään kolmella.
The good thing about this list is that it doesn't really celebrate pop country music. This is more like a modern take on traditional country, and it is tolerable.
Not the worst country i’ve listened to. A lot of blues influence in this.
Like I’m at a quinceanera in Orange County
Didn’t hate, didn’t love. 2.5/5
I think I’m a cowboy, now.
Yoakam?! I hardly know ‘em! Good album, just wasn’t in the mood for it.
Not really feeling the country that I've had lately. 2.6/5
One foot in old good country and one in the new garbage that is modern country
A great sounding and well sung bunch of perfectly fine, unmemorable country tunes. Cool title though.
A classic for sure.
This must be one of the lower rated albums from this list over on rateyourmusic but I love the man’s first two albums and have always wanted to check out more of his music. I rate Dwight Yoakam’s performance in Panic Room a 5/5 and this album a 3/5. Not sure why this one of Yoakam’s made the cut to be honest.
80s country blues picks: I sang dixie, I got you, streets of Bakersfield
3.25
The new Bakersfield sound gets a little old after a while but solid album
This is very country. And somehow most of the songs sound very similar. But I suppose if you're a country fan, you like it that way. Not that it is bad and Yoakam seems to be very popular, but it's not really my music.
Ok. Nothing special.
Reminds me of Hymns sung in an old Baptist Church. The writing on this was impeccable! Dwight Yoakam has amazing tone and I understand why this made the book.
First song was OK. On the whole, nothing as good as All My Exes Live in Texas, let's be honest.
old twangy country. its ok but not a regular
I was born and raised in Bakersfield, and somehow, I’ve never heard this version of “Streets of Bakersfield” until now. I’m not a country guy, but I’m giving it a pass for that.
Yes, nice. Love the older country (newer country not so much).
io grande fan del country non cantato e lui canta sempre e non mi piace
The production, engineering, and mixing of this album is very impressive.
Meh it was fine.
country is not really my kind of music but i enjoyed listening to this album ONCE
Competent country music.
Send Me the Pillow so I can nod off to these tunes.
Tex-Mex murder ballads for the nihilistic romantic.
Extra point for having a cool name.
If it didn't have any lyrics it'd be at least a 4, but killing an ex for breaking up with him felt unsettling to listen to.
Not sure I needed to listen to this before I died, but I did like it.
I am not a country fan, I am however a fan of Dwight Yoakam. 'What I don't know' is fantastic. Its too bad country and western music these days is just 80's butt rock cosplaying as cowboys.
3.5
This type of country music is some of the most boring and unimaginative music I've listened to. It's music that usually plays on american tv shows when a scene is set in a bar full of cowboys. It's not unpleasant to the ear. The playing is good for what it needs to be and Dwight can definitely sing, but listening to this was a chore. I couldn't wait for it to end. A painfully "meh" experience. 2.5/5
Not my cup of tea but not bad
not bad, not great
Well produced and great songwriting for the genre, cohesive, just not my cup of tea in terms of lyrics and tones.
Not really my jam. But I listened to this while in a lonely room in Guatemala, and for this it gets a 3.
I don’t expect to listen to this again but it’s ok. Very country, not what I expected from the cover or the title. Speaking of, title track is best song.
Un álbum ciertamente extraño que combina elementos del country tradicional con el tex mex. Personalmente me inclino más por los momentos más tradicionales pero esos toques con instrumentos de viento le dan algo de personalidad. No está mal. 3/5
Not generally a fan of country, but I did like this album
Sturdy late-80s country fare that isn’t too dated. Makes me want a light beer at a small town bar after fishing at the cabin. Not sure if I’ll revisit, but I enjoyed it fine. He has a rich voice, the guitar work is classic and unfussy, and the writing is mostly* pretty good. (*Hearing anyone wax poetic about "Rebel pride” is weird and off-putting to me.)
Not my genre. Good vibes though
Liked his debut a lot better.
Can be rather samey, but it's not terrible country music.
i liked it. Not a huge country fan, but i liked it. Felt very old school. They would play this when they go jiving.
Some nice tracks, but overall not my thiny
Fine. Kinda generic country.
Some great guitar work. A little too twangy for me.
Not too bad actually for newer country.
This was not the vibe I was expecting based on his name and album name. I feel like once you’ve listened to one country album like this you’ve heard them all. Simpsons: No
This was better than I was expecting from the album title. This is better than some of the other country albums that we have had, and it was nice and short.
Schysst country, kanske inte min bag men ... Trea
The Good: We are wished a good night! The Bad: The room is lonely… The Ugly: Realizing Dwight’s real name is Akam… Having lived in Texas in the ‘90s, I am more than familiar with Dwight’s work. Not from a fan standpoint, but more a “you live in a zoo, you’re going to know some animals…” I’m not a big fan of C&W, and this here album, being so similar to ranchera music, as far as I’m concerned, is not my cup of tea. However, I do prefer to listen to this than many other shit albums on this list… so I will shoot down the ally and hope I don’t hit Dwight off of his horse… 3*
Pretty approachable modern hockey tonk. Guitar fiddle drums and vocals. Interesting and sad stories. I dig it
Very very nice Mr. Yolkem. Amazing to see how this egg of an idea hatched and came to life. I was all scrambled up when it comes to giving this a 3 or a 4, but now that it's OVER it's EASY to settle on a 3. Omelette. Fav song: One More Name
An interesting approach to country music.
Music was fine. Lyrics etc. not my cup of tea.
Let me start by saying I do not think this is bad music, its just not for me. His vocals are solid for the genre and there is some solid guitar playing throughout. But I got tired of this pretty quickly and find it hard to really appreciate this rather than imagine it as some generic filler music. Like I think the individual songs can be fun (like Streets of Bakersfield) but its nothing I would ever go out of my way for. For that this earns a 3 in my book.
We are on a country run. Another solid one with few notes. Not something I'm putting on for myself, but still enjoyable enough of a listen.
solid
This sound of country is just not my cup of tea. Interesting sounds, however!
Nice, calm background music.
2.8
Country, especially modern country pop is shit music devoid of anything but, perhaps, an artistic expression of the obsession with fame and greed that is US culture. So when I saw the genre and date, I was concerned. Fortunately, this is not that. The album was a mix of various old time country sounds with a modern, decidedly non-Nashville, twist. I liked it more than I thought I would, but it still isn't my jam.
Never listened to this album before today. I enjoyed the listen. Not alway a huge fan of the vocals.
Twangy honky-tonk. Sounds fine for what it is.
Pretty good country.
Not something I ever would have listened to, but it was more enjoyable than expected. Even with the dated misogyny.
I don’t think I had ever heard one song on the album. And I’ve listened to country at times. This was not the album for me, but if you like grassroots, twangy country it’s probably 5 stars for you. So I give it a 3 and found the middle ground.
Although I am not typically a big fan of this genre I will gueb credit where credit is due. Almost every song had me wanting to line dance a little bit. His vocals and musical approach to some of these standards seemed fresh and more exciting then the somewhat monotonous sound rockabilly and honky tonk typically have. Highlights include "what I don't know" and "I sang dixie". 3.5🌟
I typically hate country, so this review is going to be coloured by that. The first track has a nice jangle to it at least though, it isn't as soulless as most of the genre. I don't mind the slide guitar here and there, and the guitar work in general elevates this above your average country rock album though. 3/5
During one of the songs Spotify glitched and played the intro to BUSSIT by Joey Valance and Brae over the song and that was the most enjoyable part
While I don’t mind country, this was a little too contemporary sad sack country for me.
I got a deep love of classic country. But this was unique and different, not really my taste. But I enjoyed the world music influence of the Mexican themes. Still in the context of what constitutes "good" country this is poor, kinda stadium country precursor vibes.
If I’m listening to songs about murder, much prefer Nick cave. Music was great tho.
Easy listening country album with some nice songs, really liked the Bakersfield song, 3/5
I like the classic cowboy sound, but it wasn’t as compelling as time went on.
Enjoyed the tunes. Nothing I’ll go back to.
I'm normally not a country person, but once "What I don't know" started playing, it was too groovy not to vibe to.
It had some good tracks, largely forgettable
Dig me some Dwight. Tough to go wrong with Streets of Bakersfield A Thousand Miles from Nowhere Buenas Noches From a lonely Room One more name
Fav: What I Don't Know
Great voice, love the storytelling and the musicality of this one. Recognized Streets of Bakersfield, the rest was new to me. I could see returning to this one from time to time for sure.
better than i expected. dig the music and he has a great voice. i am not a country guy by any stretch but i could dig it
Ok listen
7/10 I’ve been tainted from most country music but I love Buenas Noches. Story telling, nice guitar chords that have that special country element. Still can't say I "love" this album, but it's the best of what it is.
54/100. A passable country album, but it didn’t quite live up to the expectations the title set. It’s simple and feels fairly generic, lacking the emotional depth or uniqueness I anticipated.
A cute little country record with cuter diverse flourishes, not only from Traditional country, but also of Mexican and Tex-Mex musical traditions. I say it’s cute because it’s never actually serious; for murder ballads and kiss offs, it rarely feels like there’s anything at stake, on wax or off. These are good, well-written songs, for sure, especially on the first half, but they’re not lived in. And that kind of strips them of a lot of their potential power. I like Yoakam as a singer, guitarist, and country band frontman, but he’s no actor. Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson can play the character, and Yoakam….really can’t. On top of that, account for that slick ‘80s production, and you end up with a record that feels way too polished for its self-proclaimed grit. It’s antithetical, really. But again, the songs are really good! The first 3 tracks are easily the best here, and feel like they have the most punch, but I also adore the title track and how it blends in those Tex-Mex flavors so thematically. I also vibe with “Streets of Bakersfield” for its historic value, though it’s far from a favorite, and “Send Me the Pillow,” because I’m a sap. The rest of the record, though, loses so much edge. Maybe it’s because Yoakam isn’t a convincing cover artist, and a much stronger songwriter on his own merits. Well, maybe, except the Yoakam-penned cuts on Side B leave little to be desired, largely because they go against theme, or maybe because the cover tracks took us on such a longwinded tangent that we forgot what the theme even was. The gut-punch for me is the closing track, with its Southern gosepl-country messaging that just reminds me why I swore off this entire genre for so long. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Which is lame, because learning that Yoakam himself was a frequent player on the punk circuit and a major spark for Cowpunk does endear him to me. As a person, he seems as fine as any male country artist could be in my eyes. But then I recall the message of “Hold on to God,” and I feel hesitant to stand by anyone who wrote that song. Then again, the duality of man. And that’s overall how I feel about Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room. It’s a real Duality of Man™️ record. Lots of diverse influences that are blended together, but ruined by shiny production; lots of excellent self-penned songs, but they lack any earnestness; lots of good cover choices, but they don’t feel relevant here. I’m mostly okay with this record while it’s on, minus that closer, but it’s definitely not going to leave a mark on me, or turn me into a country gal. Maybe I’ll check out more Yoakam– I know he has more well-renowned records than this– but I think I might just star a couple songs and enjoy them on a shuffle if they ever come up once in a while, and just leave it at that.
Another entry for the Bakersfield sound. He has a great voice, and it seems his reputation proceeds him. I know of him, but I couldn't tell you any of his famous albums or tracks.
For some reason, I just didn't like it.
Love the instrumentals, not so much the story.
A lot more “gonna shoot my lover” lines vibes than I was expecting…
3/5. I was checking out other people were saying about and I feel like people have not heard of concept albums before. Red Headed Stranger is a clear influence for this album but no one thinks Willie killed someone. This is just called writing, like in other works of fiction. Same thing with Johnny Cash on Folsom Prison Blues. I get if you don't like the music just maybe use some media literacy before reading everything surface level. Upon further listening, there are some songs that are a little problematic like I Sang Dixie kind of romanticizing the Southern pride. And Hold on to God feels satirical but doesn't land quite right so it just sounds like direct Gospel. Additionally, after a while, the songs do start to sound similar. I don't think this was a perfect album but I can enjoy some old timey country music with a modern flair. Best Song: I Got You, What I Don't Know, Streets of Bakersfield
A Good listen. Twanging & singing works well for his sound.
I liked this one because of the sound, but all reviews shade the lyrics. I didn't listen to the lyrics and now I am afraid to.
Not bad for pop country.
Good enough for inclusion on a list of 1001 albums and glad to see Buck Owens recognized in the process.
Just like rock and roll, Country Music has gone through several revisions. The California, Western swing sound was revitalized by Buck Owens as the Bakersfield sound - the same sound that would inspire and influence a lot of what cam out of Laurel Canyon (so again, Rock and Roll steals from others to improve itself). This is a completely fine album from Dwight Yoakam and probably one of two of his I would include on this list. However, the fact that Dwight is here while Buck Owens is not is more criminal, but I guess it's not UK 90's synth pop, right? 3.5/5
Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room is an alright album. I'm not really the biggest fan of country music so i wasn't going in with the highest of expectations but it is a decent listen. The songs are pleasant and well done with good vocals, good instrumentation, good rhythms, and the album is really well produced. My main issue with this album (like a lot of other albums like it) is the songs are not diverse enough. They all seem to rely on more or less the same formula which sounds fine but gets a little bit tiring even with this album's fairly short runtime. This album isn't a huge recommendation from me but it isn't a stay-away either. Best Song: What I Don't Know Worst Song: Send Me the Pillow
I often peep at other people's reviews before I listen to the album. Maybe I shouldn't do that...should I listen first? Anyway, I think that people had a few critiques about this album, mainly the surprise domestic violence murder and how he sings a song that references "Dixie" or maybe IS "Dixie" I'm not sure I haven't listened to it yet. The murder WAS just as surprising as the other reviewers had put. All of a sudden we're just sad and then "Oh yeah, I held her head to the gun and now she's dead." Ha. I did enjoy the addition of the Mexican elements that he placed in that song (maybe elsewhere I haven't gotten to yet). Okay now we're at "Dixie" and the song sucks. It's just a song about someone dying and as the guy was dying, Dwight sang him Dixie. If you're gonna GO THERE talking about Dixie, at least make sure it wasn't for nought... I can see why people like this record, maybe more at the time it came out than now. Yoakam's voice is stellar but he's less fun than someone from a slightly similar time, Alan Jackson. It seems like he sort of likes the country ballad pretty much exclusively, which isn't necessarily a bad thing just something I noticed. Just as I typed that, "Bakersfield" started and it's way more upbeat..lol. "Bakersfield" kind of makes me laugh because no red blooded country singer writes a country song about California anymore...or maybe ever? Three more songs left. "Floyd County" is a another sad song about someone dying...lol. "Send me a Pillow" maybe I missed it because I was putting away laundry? Last song "Hold On to God" is a Christian country song. I like it's more upbeat. Maybe he only sings upbeat songs if the songs are about Jesus. haha. Overall I don't think I will return to it but I enjoyed listening today while doing chores.
A country album that I actually enjoyed listening to is a rarity so this was nice
3/5
Grew on me somewhat over time. Oddly the middle was probably my favorite section. That blues track was pretty nice.
As far as country albums go, I liked it a lot. I'd listen again, which probably makes it a 4, but we'll come back. Good, twangy, good for sitting around in the backyard watching the dogs relax. Which is what i was doing =D
Not usually a country music fan, but I like some. This wasn't bad.
Country. Yeehaw. Praise jaysus n murica y’all
When I heard Dwight Yoakam's debut album, I found it a refreshing take on country music, as it was dubbed "new alternative country" and had me interested in exploring a music I usually considered dull and dumb. Buenas Noches is Yoakam's third album and by now he is considered a bit of a veteran of the scene and this is my first time hearing this. I must say it was underwhelming and mediocre and though I enjoyed the music, the playing is fine and seemingly authentic, but Dwight's writing and vocals don't inspire me rushing out and buying the rest of his music catalog. It's okay and definitely listenable, except "What I don't Know", but in no way in hell this should be on this list or considered essential.
I am not fond of country but this album was very very country, nice balanced pace throught, well produced, melodic voice, good guitar playing overall a pleasant listening experince. Me not hating it is a really good sign. This is cpuntry true to their roots and sounds.
Album 694 of 1001 Dwight Yoakam - Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room (1988) Rating : 3 / 5 Not a huge country fan but I feel this has more of the "western" than the "country". Nice mix of upbeat tracks and ballads. Well produced.
5/10 - It was alright country. He sounded sad most of the time.
- kurzweiliges, stimmiges Country Album - viele Tracks klingen zwar sehr ähnlich, aber irgendwie kann man sich das auch ab und zu gut mal geben - stimmige Hintergrundmusik war es definitiv 2,75 / 5
I recognise this is good for what it is but I am discovering that country is really not the genre for me
Country twang
I wouldn’t walk out of a bar because of this music, unless they were playing the Dixie song, but I would never seek it out. Whatever.
The music and vocals are fine but I'm not really into his lyrics. Hold on To God was a nice bluegrass tune to end with. 3.5 rounded down.
Nice set of country tunes about love, heartache and cheating lovers. There are also a few songs about working hard but still feeling like you're short on money. It's a sad but sweet album. All good songs.
Some pretty nice traditional American country tunes. While not entirely my style, I can tell that if you stripped some of these songs from their a bit over-the-top country sound, they would still be enjoyable to listen to. I think that's always the litmus test that I have with any genre of music: if you break it down to it's harmony and melody, is it still good? Could you take any piece and play it in it's simplest forms and have it still be enjoyable? This passes the test for me, but admittedly probably not something I would come back and listen to.
poco altro
Pre: Never heard of him, never heard of any of the songs. Post: I bet this hits so much better if you're American. The guitar is decent at least, sometimes actually great. Wasn't a fan at the start and around 4 songs in I was more on board, but the slower ones kinda lose me a bit. I am impressed that it has a lot more Latin influence than I expected, like the accordion on Bakersfield. Big fan of the first song immediately name dropping a car. I wish I could hear genres I listen to often like Rock or Metal and maybe Funk the way I hear Country. I think I'm blind to a lot of the clichés in those genres now. Highlight: I Hear You Knockin'
3.5
Ganz okay. Bicht allzu nervige Countrymusik, ganz eingängig, aber alle Songs waren irgendwie gleich. 2 1/2.
I should really ask people who know more than me about country for recs. I dunno, it's nice but a bit repetitive.
I can drink to this =)
Skal innrømme at denne formen for country er litt guilty pleasure for meg. Har sikkert Fallout å takke for det. Dette er sikkert ikke noe jeg ville satt på ellers, men nå ble det hørt på en litt sliten morgen på hjemmekontor, og det traff liksom helt perfekt.
Standard twangy guitar, twangy voice country music, from the time immediately before Garth Crooks et al made country popular (and listenable). Standard, uninteresting fayre.
Great album that blends mariachi, zydeco and Texas sounds with trad country. His yodel is on point and I almost wish he would use it and fill more with it.
Inessential but dependable neo-traditional country. 3.5/5
# Playlist track - Streets of Bakersfield # Notes - As stereotypical as it can be. From the accent to the instruments, this is as comically country as you can be. - Not horrible, but very predictable and boring. - I guess it would be amazing for die hard american country fans, but I'm not that demographic at all.
Didn’t mind this at all. Reading about Yoakam’s zero fucks approach to country, and the flak he took for it in Nashville, I quite rate his attitude. The record doesn’t suffer from the washes of 80s indulgence that detract from albums like Steve Earle’s Guitar Town. ‘Buenas Noches…’ pays more faithful homage to the forerunners of country, with fairly minimalist arrangements that compliment Yoakam’s songwriting. It’s not exactly a revolutionary record - if anything, his machinist pining comes off a bit reactionary at times - but it’s a decent record, and very interesting to note the evolution of the genre through this list.
3.5
Musically, this is a fine country album with no complaints. Lyrically, it leaves a bit to be desired. Dwight needs to let this chick leave him and let her be. It's ok to be sad, but he's a little extra here.
Better than most country from the 80's on. Good for an occasional listen, but I don't think I could enjoy this sound often, so it's not going in my rotation.
This was rather forgettable. Not in a bad way. Probably just not the kind of thing for me
This album was a lot better than I expected. The vibe - small town country fair.
it's a nice sound, but Buenas noches From a Lonely Room often comes off as too homogenous and gives you a lot to compare parts of itself with. "I Sang Dixie" is a great song with a slow swaying tempo, and "Send Me the Pillow" hits the same beats but less effectively. the same goes for the rockin' numbers, "I Got You" and "Streets of Bakersfield" are great, while "What I Don't Know" does the same thing but worse. it also does the whole "you cheated, now die" thing worse than the title track. i'm not against neo-trad country, but it seems to have a problem in shaking things up throughout a full LP.
Not my favourite period for country music, but this record does has some great tracks and redeeming qualities. There are point where Dwight Yoakham sounds like what might have been had Gram Parsons lived long enought to see the late '80s, and that's no bad thing!
Clear 90's country sound. Not bad and I liked Home of the Blues. I don't know that I would rush to come back to this album but if it came on I wouldn't turn it off. Solid 3 for me
Good album but not a terribly big fan of country, liked this country for the most part though
Love Dwight’s voice and the couple of well known songs on the album.
Music for those who are a bit too fond of their cousin. I don't mind it though. The music, that is.
Helvetin hyvää kantria. Laulajalla tyylikäs ääni. Vähän meksikolainen viba kanssa. Parhaat: Streets Of Bakerfield, Home of the Blues
Average tune
He’s good. Don’t care for some of his songs. And not someone I listen to generally.
“Well, there was fast ones and there was slow ones.”
Nice enough
Don’t know much about the history of country music bedsides the ancient and recent. I enjoyed the minimalist approach along with more modern production Rating: 3.4
This album really feels like a country opera. Again, it manages the country music magic trick of singing the most dreary pathos in the most toe-tapping peppy way. I liked it more than I thought I would.
This is a hard one. I like it more than pop country, for sure. It feels outlaw-adjacent, but doesn’t rise to the level of the others.
Country is weird for me since I never love nor hate any of it here. It’s all just fine.
A really enjoyable listen. Always dig Dwight. And have always liked how he bucked the Nashville machine and carved his own path his own way. This is a strong 3+ rating. Interestingly enough my favorite tracks were the collaborations with Buck Owens and Maria McKee (of incredibly underrated Lone Justice fame).
I can get down with this type of country. The pop country just drives me nuts so appreciate Dwight not falling into that. Overall a solid album and enjoyable listen. Nice guitar work with a lil 🐔 pick in’ And a great album title. 3.25
I’m surprised by the low ratings on this album. It was an enjoyable, albeit corny, listen. Considered a 4 banger but doubt I’ll be drawn to revisit anytime soon, so I’m downgrading to 3. 3.5/5
im not educated enough on country to say if this album revolutionzed country as we know it and birthed the modern country sound or it just sounds completely standard for its time but it was a sufficiently fun listen
Taman kad pomislim da ništa nije previše country za mene 😃naiđe ovako nešto. Nije da je loše nego mi jednostavno...previše😃
Pleasant country - can't say more than that
Favourite track: Streets of Bakersfield.
This is an odd one. I don’t mind country music like some people do, but the choice to include this instead of other major classics that aren’t on the list is curious. This album isn’t insanely offensive, but much like his voice, it’s very average. Instrumentation is the highlight, in my opinion. They do a great job of keeping the album on track. Arrangement is a tad strange. Why include a weak cover of “Send Me the Pillow”. Very middle of the road country record, but I enjoyed most of it. 3/5
When I was a kid, my grandma used to leave the FM radio on for her dogs when she left. It was always tuned to country music and I'd bet her dogs liked Dwight Yoakam. There's some fun guitar work on here but the 80's sound that came out in some of the songs knocked it down a notch.
Not a big country guy. Dwight is a big country guy!
First song: awww, so sweet The rest: I'll kill you for cheating on me, I wanna die, betrayal, literal death... oh, and I love Jesus
One of country's great names from the Bakersfield Sound. Yoakam's naturally cool vocals make him a fitting candidate for the genre, and the songs are slick with a clear honky tonk influence and some occasional Tejano flair. Unfortunately, not much about the songs on Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room makes Yoakam stand out from his contemporaries.
La música country encontró en Dwight Yoakam su adalid a finales de los 80. Con él no sólo se revitalizó la música de raíces campestres, también consiguió que el público del rock volviera a mirar hacia los sonidos countries del honky tonk. Este de 1988 fue su tercer álbum, y en el destacó el sencillo "I Sang Dixie" con el que alcanzó el número en las listas de éxitos, una lacrimógena balada dedicada a un borracho harto de la vida. También destaca "I Got You", tema sobre un amor obsesivo hasta el propio abandono, o las dramáticas "What I Don't Know" o "Buenos Noches From a Lonely Room (She Wore Red Dresses)" (fantástico el acordeón de Flaco Jiménez) sobre celos asesinos y, en mi opinión demasiado condescendiente con una visión posesiva y machista de la mujer. Lo compensa en parte con la versión de la canción de amor "Send Me the Pillow". Pero quizás la canción que más me gusta de este disco, con aires de ranchera, es el dueto con Buck Owens "Streets Of Bakersfield" escrita en los 70 por Homer Joy como un himno al orgullo de los vagabundos (podría interpretarse también inmigrantes de ayer y de hoy) frente a un mundo que los rechaza, y sobre todo un alegato contra los prejuicios.
I love country music I guess
bão
Not a country fan, but some of this was okay.
Very enjoyable honky tonk record with darkness hiding behind shimmering fiddles, guitars and harmonies. The first five songs are the best.
I Got You 3.3 One More Name 2.5 What I Don't Know 2.8 Home of the Blues 2.7 Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room (She Wore Red Dresses) 3 I Hear You Knockin' 3 I Sang Dixie 2.7 Streets of Bakersfield 3 Floyd County 2.4 Send Me the Pillow 2.3 Hold On to God 2.4 Score: 2.736363636
Not my normal fair, but it's not bad.
This was fine as honky-tonk country but perhaps because it wasn't his album that I grew up hearing all the time on long road trips (This Time) it didn't really stand out to me. His voice is still great which makes it inoffensive despite the super grim and bleak subject matter the lyrics entail. Standout is the foot-tapping inducing "Streets of Bakersfield".
The Hillbilly King
Mér leist ekki á blikinu í fyrsta laginu, en svo skánaði þetta nú aðeins. Raddbeitingin er svaka köntrí og ekki mjög sjarmerandi, en lögin eru basic og fín sem slík, og fiðlurnar hjálpa. Ætla ekki að renna aftur, en gat alveg hlustað á þetta eins og eitthvað annað.
3.36
Really country Too country for me. 3/5
Not my thing but not terrible I guess
As American as it gets.
jumala kiittää goood... gooood.... bless us gooooood... gawd.... Lupaan uskollisuuden Amerikan yhdysvaltojen lipulle ja tasavallalle, jota se edustaa, yhdelle kansakunnalle Jumalan alaisuudessa, jakamattomassa, vapaudessa ja oikeudenmukaisuudessa kaikille. ja kaikille vitun huorille!!! saatana margareetta miksi jätit mut!!!!!!!!! Jumala........ yksi ylhäväinen........ kaikkitietävä katselija......... luoja lumoitsija........ pliiis pliiis pliiis!!!!!!! posauta margareetti lutka pää tohjoksi!!!!!!!! streets of bakersfield
Perfectly fine.
Some pleasant and easy-to-listen to country. Not an incredibly stand-out album but one that feels authentic to its genre and remains charming all the way through. Oh, and it’s also a concept album about cheating and a murder which is kinda cool (not the murder, the concept)
From someone who doesn’t really like country music, this wasn’t too bad
I’m shocked at how much I liked this. It’s still country, I’ll probably never listen to this again, but I enjoyed it
was chill
Good
I'm usually not into country music (especially pop country, makes my ears bleed) unless we're talking Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings (outlaw, storytelling country) or George Strait, Randy Travis and even Garth Brooks if the air is just right. But this album is not bad. It becomes a little slow and monotonous with little uptempo, but the lyrics are great. This is a great feeling sorry for yourself with a bottle of your favorite dizzy water. Overall, a good country album!
Pretty decent for country music. Didn't sound too '80s except for some of the drums. I recognized Buck Owens singing on one of the songs, so doing this challenge is paying off. Still has some of the annoying country music trappings that I'm not a fan of, like letting his voice crack, and he's got a nasally voice sometimes.
Fun music, nicely twangy voice, not so sure about the content. I mean I know Roger Daltrey isn't a pinball wizard; I realize Dwight Yoakam didn't actually kill a girl for cheating. But still, it's little off putting. (I'm less sure what to do with some of the other questionable lyrics.) Otherwise, quite a lot of fun to listen to. 3.5
All Dwight is good, but this ain’t his best album by a longshot.
It’s great to hear some country mixed up in this collection. DY has a really good voice and the songs are interesting vignettes but it all does blur into one for me.
This was a really easy listen. Good songs, good arrangements. That said, I couldn't get to a 4-star. A solid 3.5, but I guess there is still something about the genre I have yet to embrace.
middle of the road 3 stars
Okay. So I do not like country music. Like at all. That being said, I didn't mind this album so much, because there was some breaks from the repetitiveness. Although overall it was rather repetitive. I don't know country music just all sort of sounds the same to me. But like I said some of the songs on this album did stuff a little differently and that was a nice break. I also have enjoyed Dwight Yoakam in some of his acting roles that I've seen so that helped. I am also more inclined to appreciate this style of country music, when compared to modern country music. Because well, this is actual music. Whereas modern country music is nothing more than corporate, paint by numbers pandering. As Bo Burnham said, it's textbook pandering. And it's honestly insulting. So I appreciate the fact that there is actual musicianship here. But with all that being said, I still don't like country music... Like at all.