Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
1998
Album Summary
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, released on June 30, 1998, by Mercury Records. The album was recorded and co-produced by Williams in Nashville, Tennessee and Canoga Park, California, and features guest appearances by Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris. Universally acclaimed by critics, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road was voted as the best album of 1998 in The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics poll, and ranked No. 98 on the 2020 revision of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. It won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 1999, and earned Williams' an additional nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the single "Can't Let Go". The album peaked at No. 68 on the Billboard 200, and remained on the chart for over five months, eventually becoming Williams' first album to be certified Gold by the RIAA. It remains Williams' best-selling album to date, with 872,000 copies sold in the US alone, as of October 2014. Additionally, it was certified Silver in the UK on July 22, 2013.
WikipediaIt's hard to understand how Car Wheels On A Gravel Road could be recommended at all, let alone make it onto a list like 1001 albums. The music is generic modern country, not distinguished by creative songwriting, kickass soloists, or anything else, unless you count the Cajun lilt on a few tunes. Maybe the blandness of the music is meant to highlight the stellar pipes of Lucina Williams? Nope. Her voice is as homely and dull as dishwater. But surely the lyrics are superior? Well, not really. Lucina Williams frontloads her best tunes; the first several songs demonstrate a keen grasp of quotidian life and a sure sense of place, but by the end of the album, the lyrics are so generic they could have been written by a computer program. The best compliment I can give Car Wheels On A Gravel Road is that it isn't actively unpleasant--just boring. Is this the best modern country has to offer? I sure hope not.
call it country or call it a comeback, it's a god damn masterpiece. love letter to dive bars, breakup letter to pain. fav track: 2 kool 2 be 4-gotten
Had no idea who this artist was (possibly a result of my overall lack of country music knowledge) but she's left an immediate impression on me. Just a country gal with a lot of soul. It's lonely, longing, but not depressing. It's a sort of familiar loneliness that you can appreciate and drift away with. The album never dwells on one feeling for too long though, as it picks up and slows down in nice peaks and valleys. Some songs lean further in a country rock direction than simple folk. This variation is welcomed and makes the music all the more enjoyable.
My rating for today is not based as much on the music or lyrics (which I did enjoy) as it is on the experience that this album gave to me today. My familiarity with Lucinda Williams comes from a friend including a selection of her tunes on some mixed tapes. Although that friend died a little over a year ago, she definitely accompanied me on my walk today as I listened to the album. She even made a point to give me a nod through a passer-by...The person asked me what time it was so that I could tell them the time and then mumble, "If you want to know the time, buy a watch."
“Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” by Lucinda Williams (2006) Never heard of this album or this artist. I took a different approach with this one: I read the Wikipedia article on the album and the one on Lucinda Williams, plus I checked out the lyrics, all before starting to listen. I was expecting something nice. I was disappointed. In the first couple of songs, the vocal quality is worse than not good—it’s uninteresting. Later in the album she does some vocal stylings in the upper parts of her range which are good, which reveals that her usual lazy, out-of-tune style is affected, not natural. It’s off putting to me. It lacks authenticity. Her voice is much better when she’s forced to blend with another singer—another indication that drunk-sounding style (as on “Drunken Angel”) is a put on. Also, she intentionally varies the degree of her southern accent. She really pours it on in the song “Concrete and Barbed Wire”. Creepy. In “Greenville“ her vocals are better, because, I think, in this case she’s forced to blend with Emmy Lou Harris. As in “Heartbreaker” by Ryan Adams (reviewed a few days back), here’s Emmy Lou again, putting in a mediocre backup performance. Williams and Harris don’t blend, but at least Williams appears to try. Standard chord structures and rhythms with good backing instrumentals and recording quality, but her contribution to the music is limited to guitar—not much to showcase. The songwriting is what she’s known for, and she does have some talent here, painting poetic pictures of southern lower middle class ambiance. But there’s nothing here that has power. Only pity. This recording won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album of 1998. Hmmm. 2/5
Never been all that much of a Country guy but when it comes to the travails of love and lust there is material like this that deftly trumps any rock and roll dicks out bombast... "I take off my watch and my earrings My bracelets and everything Lie on my back and moan at the ceiling Oh my baby" No content warning on that, damn.
Beautiful - it doesn't sound like she's copying an older band but still is remaining true to country roots while sounding modern and fresh.
I’m shocked how much I liked this, not at all my typical style but it’s just so good.
Not sure if I'd rank this as one of the "1001 best ever", but I really liked this! I love Americana, and the crossroads of Blues, Country, and Rock. Titular track, Lake Charles, Greenville, and Still Long For Your Kiss are all highlights.
I really like her voice and style, it reminds me of a feminine version of the guy from the Eels for some reason. Great songs throughout. I just wish it didn’t get so samey, but that’s the nature of the genre sometimes.
Dette er omtrent så bra country kan bli for min del! Lydbildet tar meg rett til Nashvilles skitne underside, med triste små barer og kjærester i fengsel. Tekstene har så klart litt av de vanlige country-klisjeene, men føles dypere, skarpere og mer inderlig enn det meste man hører i sjangeren. Og vokalen til Williams passer perfekt, fra savnet på Drunken Angel, til rebelsk "twang" på Joy. Låtene spenner fra klassiske country-ballader (Jackson 💕) til bluesrock, og jeg koser meg hele veien. Liker spesielt godt Joy, Drunken Angel, car wheels...
A good album, reminds me of Tori Amos (or is it the other way round) a bit, or even a female Steve Forbert maybe? Some good tunes though and lyrically very strong I think.
I got this album on release. As soon as I heard her lyrics refer to the "Drunken Angel" as a "derelict in duck tape shoes", it easily became my favourite album I bought in years and one of my ATF country albums. She was loaded with angst at the time she wrote this and poured her soul into it. The subsequent albums she made (that I've heard) haven't come close to this gem. I guess she became happier. Good for her.
Just oozes authenticity. This is perhaps a bit less raggedly confessional or emotionally raw as some of her other records, which might cost a bit of power, but it also avoids the risk of sloppy sentimentality (which has been a bit of a occupational hazard for Lu) and gives a sense of control and mastery of every song. This is musicmaking at a very high level, well conceived, extremely well executed, and not overdone or showy. Every song works, and the first five are uniformly strong. The songwriting is terrific, the playing expertly professional. She's a true artist it's hard to believe there's only one of her records on this esteemed list.
"Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" is the fifth studio album from American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. The style of music is a mixture of country, pop, blues and folk and really one the albums that began and popularized the Americana/alt country genre. Yeah, when you begin a genre that's a pretty big thing and this album is worthy of that. There are guest appearances by Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris and were multiple producers in Earle, Roy Brittan, Ray Kennedy and Lucinda herself. A good description of the album are themes of heartbreak, love and losing formers lovers and friends with imagery of traveling through/in cities in the US South. The album won the 1998 Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album and Village Voice voted it the best 1998 album. Well deserved. A twangy guitar and Lucinda's exhausted voice begins "Right in Time." A great melody and pretty much a perfect sounding pop song. About her losing someone that you thought was perfect for you and, then, ummm, about enjoying yourself thinking about him. Lucinda adds some urgency in her voice to "Drunken Angels." Boy, the layered guitar production is great on this album. A more rock song. The song is about musician Blaze Foley who was shot by his friend's son in a drunken fight. The guitars give "Can't Let Go" a jamming, grinding feel. Great slide guitar and guitar solo. A guy left her and she can't forget about him. "Still I Long for Your Kiss" has a country-rock vibe. Some more great layered guitars and solos. Another song about not wanting to let someone go. Lucinda gives a rap singing style to "Joy" with bluesy guitars and a slide guitar. She traveling from town to town and about a former lover. The album concludes with the soulful/gospel-esque ballad "Jackson." She's traveling from Lafayette to Baton Rouge to Jackson trying to convince herself she won't miss her boyfriend. The album sounded absolutely great not aging since 1998. The production is fantastic and the album just moves along. Multiple styles heard but really in its own category. A must listen.
Je sais pas pourquoi mais je me rend compte que j'adore le country,surtour pour des al ums ecoeurant comme ca et a petite dose. 5
Whatever else you might think of the genre, there’s no denying that this is a finely crafted, beautifully assembled collection of songs. The production is excellent and the arrangements are terrific. Williams has a knack for evocative images and storytelling. There’s a veracity and an authenticity to the writing.
It was a few years after-the-fact when I first listened to this one but it deserves every single bit of praise it gets. An all-timer.
interesting voice and tempo, the sound quality is pretty nice and most songs are good
First song is a old indie country bop, and the rest is good country songs if i am in the mood for that relaxing country
Despite this being a country album, quite enjoyed some of the songs, especially the last song, Jackson.
Great album all around! I've listened through the regular version, but the deluxe is a nice step up. Disk 2 is all live versions, so I didn't get that far, but I love Lucinda!
I love Lucinda Williams and I love this album... but the song title 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten detracts a star.
Not the sort of thing I'd normally listen to but really enjoyed this. Will listen again.
I thought i would know what this would sound like being a hater of country music, but it was more like a rock album and absolutely loved it. Song 7 was the highlight - Can't Let Go. Will give it another listen 4 stars
wow, I was familiar with her, but I didn't know Lucinda Williams had an album this good
Never heard of Lucinda Williams before, but loved this album. Favorite song was can’t let go.
Really solid Southern roots rock/country featuring Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle. What else could you want? I enjoyed reading about how Lucinda persevered and made it in the music business despite all of the forces working against her. Best track: Drunken Angel
4.0 - Enjoyed this! Honest American songwriting, blues and country inflected. Straightforward instrumentation with a live studio recording feel. Some pleasant storytelling, shoutouts to Louisiana. Nice driving record and a crowd pleaser.
More of Jess bag than Ian. But her voice conveys pain and longing. Certainly a lot of depth and attests to a life lived.
Lo escuché muy a gusto, pensé que es una antecedente de Taylor Swift (???) y su voz me agrada bastante. Canciones fav: la que da título al disco, "Can't Let Go" y "I Lost It". 8/10
Somber morning Americana with some excellent twang to it embellished by guest vocals.
I really liked this album, and would never have found it if not for this website.
Uh, 2 CD-a. Iznenađujuće dobar đir. Možda bi bilo malo dosadno da san slušala i ne radila ništa, a ne da san radila još dosadniji labos. Greenwill mi je najbolja. Nikad čula za Lucindu, al bolje nego većina ostalih country koje san slušala do sad
Great surprise. I really liked it. The melodies are great. More a rock and pop album than a country album.
A few years ago I was listening to spotify similar to playlists and songs from this album were on that list. Prior to this I was never really into any form of country music, but I enjoyed the songs and decided to listen to this album in full. It completely worked for me and introduce me to the genre. Lucinda Williams has led me to other country acts and it's a genre that has some really great music if you avoid the mediocre radio pushed country. 4.5/5
Love the album cover for some reason... And hey, it's pretty good roots, blues, souly country AND western. Generous 4/5
As a country album, it's an equivalent of a white bread. And... I liked it. Being a perfectionist, Williams reportedly released this album six yees after her previous one. While conflicts does contribute to this delay, I can still observe the sanitized feel of the album. I love her voice. It's soothing and when used well, it carries emotion like it's a wave. But even that is generic. Not even the admittedly nice interaction with the male backing vocals made it a unique voice. The instrumentals are pretty good. Everything is in the right place, but ultimately, it becomes a bit predictable, and therefore uninteresting. The production is neat, but again, generic. The critics were praising her songwriting skills. Judging by the tracks' titles, it might be interesting but I don't want to explore it further. Again, this is like white bread. That mass produced, generic commodity that one can find in the local store. Her perfectionism might have made her album overtidy and uninteresting, but I've got to admit that she still did a great job crafting its overall sound. I unashamedly enjoyed this white bread, and I don't mind consuming it again... after a while.
I love Folk Rock so Americana and some Alt Country is fully in my lane. And knowing that she toured with Jason Isbell just makes me like her and this album more. "Right In Time" and the titular track were two of my favorites. I certainly attach more to the Americana aspects, but it is good Country music too. A very re-listenable album for sure!
I haven't listened to Lucinda Williams that I recall. But I have heard the songs she has written. She has an authentic feel that is appealing. I feel like I just walked into a dive bar where someone better than the joint is performing. Not my favorite country album, but still pretty darn good.
Good solid bluesy country folk, reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Alison Krauss. Very nice.
This was a new name for me, but I know I have heard Lucinda Williams' music before, playing on our public radio station's morning show. This album definitely painted lovely pictures of the South, and I enjoyed the ride. The title itself evokes such memories and stirs up emotions as it repeats through the title song.
Loving this. Been on a mission to seek out more female rock/country artists, and Lucinda just shot to the top of my list. After a quick Google seems like she's doing some shows with Waxahatchee, which makes perfect sense to be now. Incredible voice, great musicality, perfect for listing to on these hot summer evenings. I'm not a massive country fan, but there's more than enough bluesy toe-tapping, head-nodding, guitar-sliding goodness here to get me on board
Earthy, languid, bittersweet and sexy. Effortless, bluesy sound that probably launched a hundred alt-country bands, all inferior. This is such a perfect listen for a late summer afternoon. Fave Songs: I Lost It, Metal Firecracker, Right in Time, Can't Let Go, Drunken Angel, Still I Long for Your Kiss, Joy
A great combo of traditional country with all it's southern rural hurtin' themes and a modern, rocky, but not overproduced sound. Her voice seems weak and flawed at times but that adds to her vulnerability. I especially like it on Drunken Angel and believe that there may be a few alt country singers influenced by that sound, based on what Spotify sends me. One more listen might get a 5 from me.
Perfect Sunday soundtrack that just rolls through the heart. Even though I now barely drink and haven't touch a cigarette in over a decade, for me this album envokes the sweet haze of a mild hangover, more sleep deprived than feeling ill, your body infused with the scent of stale cigarettes as you chainsmoke lying in the afternoon sun
I really like Folk music and Americana so this album is right up my alley. Great songwriting and imagery of life in America.
I liked it, solid background. Nothing stood out but it was a good listen overall.
Didn't think I was all that keen on country, but this album was pretty rocking. Full of feeling but with enough power to feel a bit feisty. Lovely stuff
Objectively, this is a really good album. She influenced and outlasted artists like Sheryl Crow and KT Tunstall. Good voice, great story-telling. Good shit.
Felt abit of blues, country and some folk. Overall good variety solid album.
Pretty freakin cool we got to see her perform at Red Rocks #humblebrag
Beautiful heartfelt country record that overstays it's welcome just a bit too much. Side A is in my opinion the stronger side, while side B drags on a bit. Still very enjoyable and a great listen! Favorite lyrics: - The telephone poles, trees, and wires fly on by. - Some kind of savior singin' the blues. A derelict in your duct tape shoes. - Did an angel whisper in your ear? And hold you close, and take away your fear? In those long, last moments. - I got a big chain around my neck. And I'm broken down like a train wreck. Favorite tracks: - Right In Time - Car Wheels On A Gravel Road - 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten - Drunken Angel - Lake Charles - Can't Let Go 7,5 out of 10
Feels a little bad comparing this to the Sheryl Crow album from a few weeks back, but another polished roots-rock record this certainly is. My impressions are mostly the same, though this project has much more potential to grow on me.
At first I assumed this was a Country Album based on the everything about it, but I wouldn't classify it with frat-boy-blue-jeans-and-beer country. Williams has a pretty pronounced twang in her voice, but beyond that, her voice is light and airy and pretty beautiful imo. Still not my type of music and not very lyrically complex (compared to say, Dolly Parton) but I like it!
I think there is a part in me that likes country style music. To me this is a country style album. I liked it. An unknown artist to me. She only reached the Dutch album Top100 for a few weeks on 6 albums of the 14 she released up to now.