Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

Fine, not super special for me

Not bad. Not groundbreaking enough that I think it belongs on this list, though.

Liked it enough to listen to it two more times and it hit on the 3rd lesson. Will probably listen to some of her recent stuff, which seems to consist mostly of covers of interesting stuff.

The song the album is named after starts off sounding like Danny California or some California song by the chili peppers. I feel like this will be categorized in the same area as my review of Liz Phair. This album isn’t good enough for me to care about it but it’s good enough that I’m interested in listening to it. I don’t get what the sudden of in flux of women’s music is though. Is national woman’s day coming up? The 30th anniversary of Lilith Fair? Bad luck? What is it? So ya, I think this was Sheryl Crow before she knew who she was. If I’m wrong then they both released debut albums around the same time. This album is just north of dull sounding The music compliments that but yet there’s something special about it. Here I was thinking that this chick only sang that Crazy Mary song that Pearl Jam covered. I’d give this a thumbs up and a quarter up if I had thumbs ………. I do have thumbs

90s female singer songwriter but make it vaguely country. This was fine. The titular song was maybe the worst. Repetitive and boring.

What if Blue Rodeo had a female singer who couldn't carry a tune? I couldn't wait for this to be over. 2 stars because the actual music is good. The singing is just terrible.

If I had to listen to modern country I would play this, ⭐⭐⭐

Not too country, pretty chill

First impression was not good. This is my intro to Lucinda, but I’m drawn to come back. Will slot in the 3 spot and see if this grows on me. A down and dirty Sheryl Crowe? Not bad.

I've got a soft spot for Lucinda. Every phrase sounds like it's squeezed out between sips of whiskey and pulls from a cigarette. In the style of Sheryl Crow but with a little more edge. Great album for a sunday morning. It's not on this album but 'Fruits of My Labor' is probably one of my most listened to songs over the past few years.

The more country tunes were just alright IMO (background music at best). I liked the more rockin songs. Cant Let Go and I Lost It were my favorites. Not noteworthy, but not terrible

Lovely country specialty from a master at her craft.

Quite dull and unimpressive.

Pretty unremarkable country right here.

Fantastic

Too plain. Not relatable at the moment. First song is about longing for a lover

Not at all for me. But seems like it would be good for someone who's into this type of music. And it sounds like it means what it's saying. Can't say it's bad, just not my shit.

Tässä kuuluu kaiut ysäriltä ja 2000 luvun alulta. Haikeasti muistelen. What ever you do, right in time....

Country = 1 star

Not really my taste in music. I've never heard of her before. Very pleasant songs.

ok, nice voice, but pretty boring country arrangments

Album molt chill.

This feels like a parody album at times. ChatGPT, make an American country album...

This was not good. The production felt overly processed and the singing felt forced. Must have been a slow year for good albums in 1998?

God this was boring

basta de que todos los albumes sean country.

A fine dash of Americana, not unpleasant but not exceptionally memorable either

Not my style but enjoyable country. Not too much twang. I enjoyed the final song Jackson the most

Good stuff

Man, do I hate the singing on this. So affected and lazy-sounding that any enjoyment I might have gotten out of the songs is ruined once she starts singing.

Entré diciendo 51 minutos de la más pura normalidad folk / country yanki y terminé con un discazo. No innova, pero si van todas al ángulo termina siendo bueno igual. 8/10

95/1089 Started off kinda well, i liked the first track and the next few were nice, if not my faves. Then Concrete and Barbed Wire comes along and immediately takes me out of it completely. The overly-affected southern accent was so off-putting and the vibe was killed for me so i liked the first song and last song (Right in Time and Jackson) otherwise all the songs blended together and were really not for me 2 stars 24/100

This was a nice surprise! songwriting and vocals are great and it's clearly the progenitor of the 2000s Americana resurge. The production is a little clean, thin, and 90s for my taste on some tunes.

This feels so fake to me

Really enjoyable

This album feels like a standard example of female country, with nothing standout. Extra star coz I'm biased to country music. Tracks to Track: Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, Right In Time

Low 3? Generally fine, inoffensive, nothing crazy interesting though

Yes!! Was introduced to this years ago, have always wanted to revisit more deeply. Evokes such a world, such a mood.

This just really wasnt my thing.

Really good album. Had heard of her but had no idea how good her music was.

I really liked a few of these, the title track will be in my head for a while in a good way

Sounds very country, but more rocky

Fantastic, will return for further investigation

I'm a little torn here, cause this is a case of some good artistry and craftsmanship that just isn't my thing. I appreciate it, but it's just not something I think I'd ever reach for.

Play with my balls gargle gargle slurp testicle fur.

Overall vibe reminds me of Sheryl Crow. I like it. I feel like this album is growing on me with every listen so I'm going to skew higher.

I feel like this lives between Aimee Mann (whose songs and voice are a little too conventional for me) and Neko Case (whose amazing voice and weird, atmospheric songs are totally my thing). I wish the sound was more varied and unique, but it's all uniformly good.

Like Gillian Welch, who I rated too low, this grows on me with every listen. Smart, heartfelt lyrics, songs that vary from folky to more rocking country vibes, and husky vocals that sometimes stray into creakiness but don't necessarily appeal less for the very human sound.

I've said this a number of times now, but I'm not really big on country music at large. It's not a bad genre by any means. None of them are. Bad music genres simply don't exist in my eyes. However, country is one of the genres that I personally gravitate towards the least. With that said, this album's good. It's a solid country album. It's not my favorite, but it's not bad. Lucinda's voice does the job. The writing's good. Anything that isn't "whisky chevy jesus" or whatever gets played on the radio these days is good enough for me. There are some solid songs. The title track is pretty good. "Right in Time" is a nice opener. I'm not huge on every song though. "Joy" doesn't really work for me. I don't know why. The guitars are good. The album's a normal length. I respect this album, but I don't see myself going back to it much in the future. 3/5.

Lucinda wrote this album after accusing Len Houmous of stalking her. She referenced the sound of his car wheels on their gravel drive and the feeling of dread. He was never stalking her. It was her mum, Wilma Williams! 3.2 12/13 Joy

I don't know why but the 1001 albums to hear before I die challenge has been recommending me a bunch of Alt-Country, and it is a genre I have been wanting to get more into so I can't argue too much with being exposed to some great music. Lucinda Williams and her 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road are two things I have never heard of until now, but man did I really get a kick out of how soft this album was. It never feels forced or cheesy, even with the very authentic 90s Alt-Country sound, and comes off as a very nostalgic album for myself despite never hearing it before. This album feels like visiting my grandparents, whom live in a more rural borderline farm area, and watching the sunset go down over the rolling hills. It is a very comfy and simple at its' core to the point where I think just about anyone could pick this up and have a good time with it. Really glad I got around to this one as I really enjoyed what it had to offer myself.

Loved it

Good, back to basics country, with strong vocals and none of that nonsense like auto tune.

This feels so fake to me

pretty cut and dry country stuff going on

smooth

Found this a bit dull - not for me

Folk, 56eme album + Country, 31eme album =>1/5

I adore her voice and the music was good, but something about the album, maybe the songwriting, didn’t click with me. Might try out some of her other music.

Gotta look for more of her music

"Greenville" broke me. Awful.

Enjoyable folky album. 4/5

It's the female equivalent of dad rock. Mum folk/country. Consequently gets exactly the same rating.

Cute album. Enjoyed quite a few of these songs early on here, especially 'Car Wheels On A Gravel Road' and '2 Kool 1 Be-4-Gotten', and the vocals and lyrics I found were generally enjoyable; there's something mildly comedic about a good chunk of the way these songs are presented (and also pretty dark in the song 'Lake Charles'). Also, quite a few strong melodic hooks here, like with 'Metal Firecracker', which is driven by this slick little guitar riff. But overall, I'd say it falls into your standard '90s country-rock alley (especially in the pretty forgettable instrumentals, clean mixing, and lack of interesting fusions or song structures). Nothing mind-blowing, but totally manageable, and honestly didn't feel as long as it was.

1001 Album Users try not to make fun of Country Challenge: (Impossible) Fun sound, great lyrics and unbelievable storytelling. 8/10

I am familiar with her from listening to SXM’s Outlaw Country channel. This was OK. The kind of music that would play at a dusty roadside bar in the middle of nowhere Texas. The storytelling is good, but with this kind of music I would prefer Ray Wylie Hubbard. 3/5

This is the best Sheryl Crow album I have ever heard. Give it an extra half-star for the all-star lineup of backing musicians, including the excellently-named Gerf Morlix.

A fine album but low relisten probability for me.

Cover 6 Another artist that I wish I'd listened to sooner. This album is pop folk. Sometimes she sounds a lot like Sheryl Crow (maybe more folksy). This album might be as good as Sheryl's Tuesday Night Music Club. It sounds like it could have been a follow-up album. So if you like Sheryl Crow, you might give this a try. FYI, her sister, Veronica Williams, is also very talented, though I'm not familiar with the entire catalog of either.

3 sterne

At this point you’ve really got to question what the criteria for getting on this list is. This sounds like a poorer version of early 90s Sheryl Crow and any album that has a track titled “2 kool 2 Be 4-Gotten” needs to get in the bin.

DUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLL!

Begint goed

I like this record - it’s good. I like her voice, I like her evocative lyrics, the music is good. I like the cover art. I bought it when it came out - I thought it was good then and I think it’s good now. Is it among the greatest 1,001 albums ever? No. But it’s good.

Off the cuff remark: I was introduced to Lucinda Williams and this album on its release, by Uncut and it was an instant love. Perhaps it was the timing but gorgeous vocals, some lovely lyrical bits and pieces that really paint a sense of place and I was hooked for life. Standout track: every track is great, title track particularly good but could choose any at a different moment. Revisit?: a regularly played album, had to listen to it twice through before even considering anything else this time round

Very decent album. Some very nice songs on this. Good flow throughout

A FIVE MINUTE meandering track around listing place names in Louisiana (I think, not a native) her ex or whatever used to drive to like there is some significant symbollogy or complex trauma behind them only to then reveal that - and this might sound utterly incredible to you, dear reader - he goes there because he likes it. Why even write songs if you are so utterly devoid of any meaningful thing to say. Music as empty, superficial and meaningless as its lyrics

A little alternative country. Pretty decent

No standouts

Spoko ale kawałki są do siebie bardzo podobne

Dupy nie urywa, ale gitara momentami niezła. Doszedłem do wniosku że po pierwszych 4 utworach perkusista zasnął z nudów jak mu kazali grać 5 raz z rzędu to samo.

Drunken Angel is about Blaze Foley, a dude who should be on this list somewhere. Overall, this sounds like a typical Texas alt country album of the late 90s. It's solid, but there are better examples.

Bland, generic country

Dull

Storytelling perfection without the worst instrument ever invented the steel guitar. This is country I can enjoy

OK, this album isn’t bad; it’s just not that good. Her voice is good, I like that, but some of the lyrics are corny. 5/100

She reminded me a lot Sheryl Crow. I wonder if she was inspiration for Sheryl Crow?🤷🏿‍♂️

No it was alright. Country vibes. First couple songs. It was okay but nothing special

Voice sounds scratchy, music is fine, not fan of the voice

This was good! Very folk rock and Americana! I love the songwriting here and how open it feels! Enjoyed this album lot and Lucinda's voice is fantastic! Actual rating....3.5. Liked Songs: "Right In Time" , "2 Kool 2 Be 4-gotten" , "Drunken Angel" , "Lake Charles" , "Can't Let Go" , "Metal Firecracker" , "Greenville" , "Joy"

Pretty ok. Not a huge fan of the vocals 2.75

Фоном, когда что-то делаешь, идёт очень хорошо, я бы даже сказал душевно. Но вообще довольно однообразная музыка и продолжительность можно было бы сделать минут на 10-15 меньше. 6,5 из 10.

Something dad could listen to

Catchy and shit.

Really liked this Not too twangy country and leaned more heavily on a rougher sound

Overall pretty good album. Standout songs: Drunken Angel Greenville

This a very good album with some well written songs and some nice guitar playing. I particularly liked Drunken Angel Can't Let Go and Jackson. A good LP to add to your collection.

3/6

I don't want to say this is awful, but to me, this is awful. Mid music, mid vocals. It must be about the lyrics or something.

Started pretty strong and kind of fizzled out by the end.

A very good album from start to finish. 5 stars or A-.

I had never heard of this artist and that’s probably because I’d say she is country and not rock like Apple Music classifies the genre as. Now, me and country don’t normally go well together but this album is a bit different. It hasn’t got the usual over the top twangs that you normally associate with country music. Yes, you can hear it’s country but it’s not over done and her voice is very interesting. All in all I quite enjoyed it, will I listen again? Probably not but it was a little bit country and I didn’t hate it!

Sounds like temu Cheryl Crow. Respect her voice and writing. Not my cup of tea.

I tried to give this a chance, I really did. I made it to "Concrete and Barbed Wire" and gave up. Just not for me at all.

I really don't care for country music. This album did not change my mind.

Fine if a bit plodding and repetitive.

Not too big a fan of the tropes of the country genre, but I liked her.

Lucinda cool. But not that cool. Always liked this album cover.

No entiendo porqué este álbum está en la lista. Extremádamente genérico y poco inspirado. Ni la voz ni la música tienen algo especial. Me da lástima decirlo porque tampoco creo que sea un mal álbum, musical y técnicamente hablando está bien, pero es demasiado tibio. Tal vez es simplemente una estética que no entiendo, pero a grandes rasgos me pareció un álbum irrelevante.

I mean it's fine, but am I really glad I got to listen to this before I died? Great voice though, almost like Sheryl Crow and sounds very 90s. 6/10

90s-00s era country music is among some of my least favorite music, but this album (while not immune to those influences) at least shows some progress toward the "Americana"/roots style music that is IMO much better.

Sometimes boring, sometimes quite nice. Some songs sound like an off-brand country version of PJ Harvey. I really thought this was going to be some lofi indie based on the cover and name tbh. Title track is probably the worst song on this album, I think drunken angel might've been my favorite? Idk

First listen

Thought it was okay but not sure what makes it so special. Another one that might improve with another listen but I don't actually want to listen to it again

Enjoyable enough as background music, at little slow overall for what I like to listen to

I have listened to it before and did t really like it. But now I kind of enjoyed the record. Still not a favourite of mine but pretty good!

This is one of these solid country rock albums that lift up your spirits and are straightforward enjoyment, but nothing I'd consider something I would've ever listened to if it weren't for this list. I'd also say they would be nothing one needs to listen before they die.

Pretty good, for a country album. I didn’t love her voice initially but it definitely grew on me over the course of the album. I thought the album as a whole was way stronger than the sum of its parts.

Intro had me ready for Mary Chapin Carpenter. This fell short.

I loved this album. Very raw feeling and honest like a person pouring their heart out or observing the world with no social filter to fit in. I especially loved 'Right in Time' but the entire album was great. Not in my normal genre so was nice to go outside the box and experience something new to me.

I've never been a big fan of this genre, but hearing Lucinda Williams and this album for the first time has definitely given me a new appreciation for it. The songs on this album are so catchy and extremely easy to throw on in the background of your day. I've had the chance to listen to this album multiple times after my first listen and many songs are still on repeat. The only song I don't like is Concrete and Barbed Wire which feels a bit too country to me in a bad way. If I had to pick 3 of my favorite songs from this album it would be Drunken Angel, Metal Firecracker, and Still I Long For Your Kiss. Other honorable mentions are Jackson, Right In Time, and Car Wheels On a Gravel Road.

Americana is not my thing. I'm conflicted cuz they mention a lot of places I grew up near, but it's really not my thing.

General thoughts: Most songs go full country cliche, same with the lyrics. There are a couple of songs that add a spice of pop, or folk, or even a kinda christian-music tune. First two songs actually made me think this could be actually decent only to nosedive completely. I'm more of a Johnny Cash kind of Country, never been into the more recent developments of the genre. Boring to the core. Outstanding song(s): Car Wheels on a Gravel Road Worst song(s): Particularly- Concreate and Barbed Wire Cover: Simple but it expresses the general feeling of the album Real rating: 1.80

2 hours of country? FFS.... Overdriven Telcasters and a twangy voice. Hank Marvin references, lots of clichés. Its albums like this that make me appreciative of the good things I have in my life. Honestly sounds like a version of Sheryl Crow that I don't particularly like. Musically its great tho, just too derivative and generic.

Boring, late-90s singer-songwriter chick rock with a country flair.

Other than the track "Joy", I definitely didn't hate it, but this did absolutely nothing for me. I'm not the target audience for this, and that's ok. Definitely competent for what it is.

4.5

More country than I usually like, but I enjoyed this album a lot. Blues and folk as much as it is country, and I like how it’s recorded.

Everyone involved with this record seems bored. The band is basically sleep walking through every song. Her voice is nice but she doesn’t stretch it or do anything interesting with it.

This is somehow the most generic thing I have ever heard while also sounding like cats being strangled. This may be the most grating record I have heard.

I don't like Country Music. This is no exception.

for the love of louisiana

Very pleasant.

High 4 Really liked this one. Nice clean sound, melodic song writing.

This was a decent album for rootsy folk rock and Americana. I can’t say it’s something I see myself coming back to, but it was good for what it was. It definitely has its time and place, even if it didn’t fully click with me personally.

That was wonderful and calm and made me think of Sheryl crow.

Its Ok. But essentially if you give me an album with songs of Shania Twain, Lucinda and Sherryl Crow and tell me to name whoch song is who's, I will fail miserably

It's not often that you listen to an album and actually hear the influence that it had on later artists. But this is one of those albums. It's almost Promethian; Lucia as Prometheus handing the spark down to lesser beings. It's laconic, twangy goodness.

okay alt country-emo album I guess. This lady sure is fucking sad.

Country

Nice one.

Meh

I’ve never heard this album before and feel like I really missed out.

I discovered this too late in life. Love it so much. She is so wonderful. 5*

Country music so not a fan. Not terrible though.

This was a decent album for rootsy folk rock and Americana. I can’t say it’s something I see myself coming back to, but it was good for what it was. It definitely has its time and place, even if it didn’t fully click with me personally.

I've been trying to figure out what's missing here. The song-writing and production are outstanding, and Williams has a voice that can soar or ache as the situation warrants. I'm old enough to remember the acclaim this album received when it came out nearly three decades ago, and it certainly deserves all the plaudits. But it never really grabbed me emotionally, so it's not a recording I've thought about in at least fifteen years. This latest listen didn't move the needle at all. Put it down to the subjectivity of musical taste, I guess.

This album cover is vaguely familiar. I think I may have seen it around before, though I’m confident I’ve never heard a Lucinda Williams song. Guess I have nothing else to do but get into this album. Yup, country. About what I was expecting. That, or midwest emo. This album is a good enough time. Very easygoing and stripped back, though there isn’t too much going on under the hood. Williams is a decent vocalist and the instrumentals are competent across the board, yet there’s something deeply stale and “rigid” about this music which fails to resonate much with me. On to the music. “2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten" is an insane title for a country song, but it isn’t half bad. I like the guitars in the background, and Williams’ vocals are pretty alright. Very dreamy – I like em. “Drunken Angel” has a very 90s vocal style, though I’m not complaining. The instrumental isn’t good too, especially around the chorus. “Joy” is a fun song. I dig the songwriting and vocals. Checking the book for why this is in here. “... as flawless a work of songcraft and record production as has appeared in the last ten years.” Biiiiiiiig call. An album that gets better with repeat listens. Consulting Wikipedia reveals that this album is massively acclaimed, decently successful and won a Grammy. Hmm. Not convinced by this inclusion. I think I’ll give it the snub. In place of this album, I humbly submit The Magnolia Electric Co. by Songs: Ohia. A good example of a modern, kickass country album

Enjoyed.

Favorites: Right in Time Car Wheels On A Gravel Road Drunken Angel Concrete and Barbed Wire Lake Charles Can't Let Go (very bluesy and catchy!) Metal Firecracker Greenville Still I Long For Your Kiss Joy (mostly because of the instrumental parts) Jackson Mellow. Easy listening. Thoughtful lyrics about Williams’ lovers and Southern cities. Wonderfully unabashed Americana blues.

Skilled guitarist. I am not a big country fan though.

Pleasantly surprised by this album. “It’s Country (Jim!) but not as we know it” springs to mind. Not your normal “Papa sittin’ on the porch” or “Mama hollering at Billy Jo” but some thought provoking lyrics and good melodies. Good melodies are always a hit for me. Pretty good production sounding great on my system. 3/5 20/8/25

im a fan

6/10 - had some nice moments. Sounded like a sad cowgirl

Some solid country ish indie ish stuff. Liked it, probably won’t listen agaib

This album put me in mind of a grittier (or should that be more gravelly?) Sheryl Crow, which isn't something I knew I needed in my life. I liked this a lot - it's not re-inventing the wheel (more title puns), but I enjoyed the rawer take on country and there are some strong songs here.

point2.

Not Sheryl Crow’s best album, but it is up there.

#DÍA 28: 1001 Discos Que Hay Que Escuchar Antes De Morir (English Translation Below) Vaya, porras, otro álbum de Country. He intentado escuchar este de un modo más optimista dado que se trata de una mujer en los 90s, así que pensé que podría ser más atrevido de lo que he escuchado dentro del género. Lucinda Williams presenta aquí una serie de canciones de Country Alternativo y de Americana que, aún pecando estilísticamente de ser algo monótonas, son salvables, principalmente por el enfoque personal que da en gran parte del LP. Algo que espero escuchar en un proyecto de country es que el artista aporte su visión, sus vivencias, sus sentimientos, a partir de narraciones basadas en la cultura rural y los paisajes de su país, algo que en ocasiones termina cayendo en estereotipos y con poca profundidad emocional, pero bien hecho puede ser fantástico (Véase mi reseña de Hejira de Joni Mitchell). En el tema de apertura Lucinda canta con bastante sinceridad acerca de su sexualidad, con un acompañamiento de Country Rock sólido que da un inicio bastante decente y prometedor líricamente al álbum. Algo que se mantiene en la siguiente pista, la canción homónima, que trata sobre los paralelismos que la cantante encuentra entre su vida actual y los recuerdos de su infancia, viajando de un lugar pobre a otro en coche. 2 Kool 2 be 4-Gotten es un buen homenaje a un local de música del que Lucinda guardaba fotografías, llegas a sentirte algo nostálgico por el lugar. Las letras con contenidos interesantes se mantienen presentes, como el recuerdo de un viejo amante en Lake Charles o la reflexión acerca del deseo de encontrarte con aquel que extrañas en Concrete and Barbed Wire. En sí la primera mitad del LP es bastante sólida, pero en la segunda mitad comienza a flojear mucho en las letras y las instrumentales no mejoran. Parece perder la personalidad progresivamente, con canciones cuyas letras se alejan más y más de las vivencias personales para simplemente expresar sentimientos comunes en los que toda la audiencia pueda verse reflejada. Ejemplos de ello son Still I Long for Your Kiss o Joy, que empiezan a ser ya demasiado repetitivas estéticamente también. Acaba cayendo en los estereotipos que me temo en la canción Jackson, la cual en concepto puede parecer interesante —ilustrar el proceso de pasar por una ruptura a lo largo de un viaje— pero termina siendo sólo una canción que hace poco más que simplemente nombrar lugares para romantizarlos de forma barata. Es respetable, termina bastante mal para mi gusto pero tampoco es un álbum que me ofenda o que no pueda escuchar. Es interesante leer las vivencias de Lucinda Williams pero hasta ahí empieza y termina mi interés real por este disco. También es un género de música con el que suelo conectar más bien poco por ahora, siento ser tan despectivo con el mismo pero es que no puedo parar de pensar en lo ridículas que serían las letras si se cambiasen los nombres por lugares de España… Albacete, Robregordo, Ibeas de Juarros… En fin. Favoritas: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, 2 Kool 2 be 4-Gotten Menos favorita: Jackson

beautiful!

Ok I may be weird but why do I kind of wanna be in the picture

The music equivalent of a plate of beige food

Sorti en 1998 après une gestation quasi légendaire par sa difficulté et son perfectionnisme, "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road", l'album-monument de Lucinda Williams est un bloc de vérité brute, taillé dans la roche du blues, poli par la poésie folk et électrifié par une âme rock'n'roll. Ce qui frappe d'emblée, c'est le son. La production est un miracle d'équilibre, à la fois granuleuse et limpide. Chaque instrument semble suinter l'air moite du Sud américain. Les guitares glissent, mordent et pleurent, créant un écrin parfait pour la véritable star du disque : la voix de Lucinda. Ce n'est pas une voix techniquement parfaite selon les standards académiques. C'est une voix qui a vécu. Elle est râpeuse, parfois fêlée, mais elle porte en elle chaque mot avec un poids et une authenticité désarmants. Williams ne chante pas pour être jolie, elle chante parce qu'il le faut, parce que les histoires qu'elle raconte doivent sortir. C'est la voix de la résilience, de la peine et du désir sans fard. Là où l'album atteint des sommets, c'est quand la poésie de Williams rencontre une énergie brute, presque sauvage. C'est le cas sur les deux morceaux qui, à juste titre, méritent une mention spéciale. D'abord, l'immense "2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten". Plus qu'un morceau, c'est un polaroid musical, une photographie sonore d'une Amérique oubliée. Avec sa rythmique lancinante, Williams nous plonge dans l'atmosphère d'un bar perdu, et par petites touches, elle peint une scène d'une précision et d'une mélancolie folles. Chaque détail, des inscriptions sur le mur au son de la guitare, est une histoire en soi. Puis, vient la déflagration. Le coup de poing. "Joy". Ce titre est une rupture totale. Un riff unique, teigneux, presque punk dans son obstination, et une Lucinda Williams qui ne chante plus, mais qui scande, qui exige, qui crache sa rage. "You took my joy, I want it back". C'est un cri primal, un exorcisme en trois minutes. La chanson est la preuve irréfutable que la douceur apparente de l'Americana peut cacher une fureur volcanique. C'est un hymne à la reconquête de soi, d'une puissance qui vous laisse physiquement secoué. Cependant, malgré ces sommets indiscutables et d'autres perles comme le poignant "Drunken Angel" (un hommage au musicien Blaze Foley) ou le sensuel "Lake Charles", l'album n'est pas exempt de quelques baisses de régime relatives. Certains morceaux, bien que très bien écrits et interprétés, n'ont pas la même force d'impact. Des titres comme "Concrete and Barbed Wire" ou "I Lost It", tout en restant de très bonne facture, peuvent sembler un peu plus convenus en comparaison des fulgurances qui les entourent. Cette légère inconstance, loin de discréditer l'œuvre, lui confère une sorte de vulnérabilité. Elle nous rappelle que ce voyage n'est pas une ligne droite triomphale, mais une route sinueuse, avec ses paysages à couper le souffle et ses plaines plus monotones. Alors, pourquoi 4 étoiles et non 5 ? Parce qu'après de telles secousses sismiques, l'intensité retombe inévitablement. L'album est si fort dans ses moments de bravoure qu'il crée lui-même une attente presque impossible à maintenir. Certains morceaux, bien que de très bonne facture, n'ont pas la même force de frappe viscérale. Ils semblent plus sages, plus posés, et peuvent paraître un peu moins marquants en comparaison des sommets que sont "Joy" ou "2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten". Cette inconstance n'est pas un défaut majeur, mais elle crée un léger déséquilibre. C'est la différence entre un très grand album et un chef-d'œuvre absolu et parfait de la première à la dernière seconde. En conclusion, "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" reste une pièce maîtresse, un disque essentiel pour quiconque s'intéresse à la musique américaine. C'est un album qui demande de l'attention, qui se mérite. Ses moments les plus forts sont d'une puissance rare, et si tous les titres ne atteignent pas ce niveau d'incandescence, l'ensemble forme une œuvre à la fois poignante, dure et profondément humaine. Une œuvre d'art imparfaite, et donc absolument indispensable.

Country.. :S Muy soso

I'm not one to have the mindset "all country music sucks" but this certainly makes me feel otherwise. It's only saving grace is that I've heard worse. 2 Kool

Always found her a bit too ‘country’ before but this album is stunning. What a voice (recorded live) and such great songs. I enjoyed the guitar playing aswell and I will keep coming back to this album.

It feels like I just spent an hour deep in the mid-west, and I really enjoyed it.

Mum, can we get Sheryl Crowe? No, we have Sheryl Crowe at home.

I actually enjoyed this quite a bit.

It’s hard to see how Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams earned a place on such a prestigious list as 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. To my ears, this is average, formulaic modern country. From the very first track, you know exactly what’s coming — and the next dozen songs stick to the same formula. Williams has a pleasant voice, but the songwriting feels forgettable, with nothing that truly grabs you. I can’t help but think there are stronger albums in this genre that deserve the spot more. Favourite tracks: “Can’t Let Go,” “Joy,” and “Still I Long for Your Kiss” — a little more up-tempo and lively compared to the rest of the album. Least favourite track: Honestly, most of them could fit here; the record felt basic and uninspired overall. Album artwork: Simple yet appealing.

Nu uh

I haven't listened to this in a while, but it's as charming as ever.

Probably my favorite country album ever. Right in Time, 2 Kool to Be 4-gotten, Metal Firecracker, I Lost It, Drunken Angel are all perfect songs, and the rest of the album is pretty great too. Amazing voice, songwriting and guitar work. Need to get this on vinyl.

Rating: 6/10 Starts off great, the title track is especially amazing. The rest of it is pretty boring stereotypical radio-friendly country.

A western crashout

Better than coldplay

osittain hurmaava musiikki revitään palasiksi heti kuin lucinda kulta alkaa laulamaan ja ääntää asiat oudosti. omgggg joo uskomaton nostalgia fiilis kun auto renkaat sora tiellä waaaauu minkälaisia kuvia tulee mieleen tästä waaaaauuu waaaauuutssiiii. ei ison kaupungin asfalttikulkijat ymmärrä fiilistä ymmärrä tätä fiilistä millään tajua et-tajuu-viela ei ei ei!! dark forest = urbans scared to go into (just ask). nähnykkään luontoa vittu ja haistakaaa paSKAAA HAISTAKAA PASKAA JOSE T LUONTOA NÄHNYYYt. kaupunkilaiset... kaupungi city folk city folk. we put on zz top, and turn them up real loud.. ja siihen lyriikkaan lähti armahdustähti pois. right in time

At last count, I had around 2,000 albums in my collection, which is by no means a lot when it comes to record collections, but I am pretty sure each one of those 2,000 is objectively more "essential" than this. Structurally, lyrically, melodically, and harmonically uninspired - never mind the gravel road, this album only serves to invoke the figurative road music of this kind clings desperately to the middle of. Dull.

Singer songwriter/americana that is possible to like. Great voice and music. Very repetitive lyrics.

Uninspiring and dull. I didn't like her voice, although some of the music wasn't too awful. Two stars.

39/1001 Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ I'd previously heard of Lucinda Williams before and may have heard a track or two, but never delved deeper. First things first, I really like Williams's voice. It's got this soulful country lilt that works. It's full of longing, lust and loneliness and the arrangements and general production are top notch.

My threshold for quite sad country-ish women from the good old heartlands of the USA is extremely high, so this low rating is a very parental 'not angry, just disappointed, Lucinda'. She's got a lovely voice, and there are moments of really interesting songs on here - not least in the title track - but in the main it's just a bit too one paced and mooning.

4.2 One of my Dad's favorites. A great album and great Americana. I went to Lucinda william concert where she played this in its entierty in Toronto. Unfortuanlty they switched venues the day before from Danforth music hall to someplace I forget the name of. The Danforth is a pretty old-school (and cool) spot.

Lucinda Williams just opened a Honkey Tonk in NYC this week. Pretty solid album. I don't know if I should now listen to Steve Earle, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crowe or Liz Phair.

Though charming at first I found her to be a little grating towards the end. The mix felt a tad weak somehow?

This girl can rock. I appreciate that. Songwriting is beautiful. All the songs have this handcrafted, no machines involved kind of feel. Also “borbed whar”! Some of her best songs and overall, probably her best record. It’s got range and everything. It’s just gorgeous start to finish and I enjoy it a lot. 4/5

YAY A WOMAN! I have had to do a little bit of research into this album, a I'm aware there's some lore behind this, and wanted to be somewhat clued up before reviewing. Aside from the often deeply dark lyrics, Williams’ voice is reminiscent of Dylan’s. It’s beautifully flawed, she doesn’t have a huge range, although she does have plenty of power to call on when needed. Personally what really did stand out to me when listening to this album, is the emotional journeys that Williams manages to portray with a series of stunning songs. (I love a storytelling album). Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the standout of this album, is the strength and beauty of Lucinda Williams lyrics as she conjures up the imagery of life along those dusty, two-lane southern country highways. I enjoyed ! I love women ! - 3/5 - HF xo New album day shows a very southern, country esc vibe to it. Lyrically this album does well to tell a story, though Williams vocal range is limited, it's exactly how it needs to be to tell the emotional tales it does. Whether it's the sense of longing in Right in Time, Concrete and Barbed Wires speaking of life's many painful obstacles in many forms and Can't Let Go about hanging onto a failed relationship unable to actually let it go (oh look at me relating to that, kill me). One of my personal favourites is Drunken Angel, speaking of the life of Blaze Foley, a musician who I enjoy quite a bit who died quite tragically. Overall this album has a great sound to it, whether it be almost pillow soft acoustic guitar chords or ripping slide guitar backed by tight sounding drumlines, I'd happily give this album another go around. 2.8/5 MTW

Not bad, considering I don't really like country. 2*, since I'm never going to listen to this again.

Not really my jam, but generally well created album with good performances

Pretty bland. Listenable, but bland.

You know, I was ready to dismiss this album as modern country trash. Then I heard the first song and thought that I might actually enjoy this album. But then, somehow it got worse as it progressed and I now just dismiss it as modern country trash. The songs, god, how many of them does Lucinda just repeat the title over and over again? And Lucinda is borderline monotone on some of these songs. There are shades of a good album here, hence why it gets spared from a one-star. But all that’s here is just mediocre. Favorite track: Right In Time Other hits: I Lost It

First confused her with someone else and was hovering over the button worried about what I was going to hear. Never been so glad to be confused in my life. This album is dirty, gritty, and a force.

Rough and gritty, yet soothing and meditative. (Much like, wouldn’t you know it, car wheels on a gravel road. It’s poetic and whatnot.) Some great stuff on this album. Best song: Greenville

Decent listen, but nothing note worthy.

if you can’t sing, maybe write a good song? Repeating the title of the song at the end of every verse, and then immediately singing it again in the chorus…… I wanna pull my hair out. We get it. Car wheels. On a gravel road. Cool. Great. Concrete and barbed wire. We know. And hey- I like plenty of vocalists who can’t sing. But Lucinda can’t sing in a way that I can’t deal with. I might not finish this one. ONE STAR

Pleasant, but possibly forgettable.

I almost don't want to admit it. I listened to too much punk rock and alternative music in my youth to not at least wince when saying it but here goes: "country music can actually be pretty good." When I listened to this I was trying to justify why I was enjoying it the whole time. I thought to myself, she kind of sounds like Alanis Morissette who kicks ass so that must be it. It's more rock than country so maybe that's it. Or, the bluegrass tones are pretty cool so maybe that's why I like it. I think in the end I need to get over myself, suck it up and admit that I genuinely liked this album.

I’ve never been much of a country fan, but I ended up enjoying this one way more than I was expecting. It was a pretty good listen. I actually did know Metal Firecracker through the Tallest Man on Earth’s cover album, Too Late for Edelweiss. Still fairly unlikely that I’ll seek this out on my own in the future though

I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. Kinda vanilla. Sometimes that hits the spot though. 3/5 #135

Is this all the same song over again?

Persoonlijke favoriet, vijf sterren!

Great country music

There’s something I kinda like about the 90s production and her lazy delivery. Not bad for a night time car ride home.

I really like a lot of this album, having only discovered it about a year ago. I do find it a bit repetitive, and that it dips in quality a bit in the middle, but her songwriting is excellent. I just wish the music was a bit more interesting. The best songs are the ones with better instrumentation and melodies, like the title track, 2 Kool, and Joy. Also really enjoy Lake Charles.

Great album

Sounds like KT Tunstell. Lol or Sheryl Crow. She’s cool tho- I liked it

I like Lucinda Williams but didn't care for this album. Enjoyed "can't let go".

If Sheryl Crow is rock/country, this is country/rock. With country being one of the genres that disappoints me most profoundly, I will say that at first this album was a delightful surprise. However, I eventually grew weary of it, and I wasn’t sure whether my mood or the music had changed. I went back to the earlier part of the album, and it had lost its shine. Not that it isn’t a fine enough album, but I just can’t buy into it fully. And I really don’t need the ever present references to other country artist and Southern towns, as if she really really wants you to know that she is a country artist, seriously. Feels Too polished and self-conscious. Instead of rounding up to 4, I have to round down to 3.

Lucinda Williams has an excellent reputation as a songwriter, and I remember lots of buzz when this album came out. I think the deeper cuts on the album are a bit better than the singles, but on the whole I was disappointed. Apple Music calls this "Rock" but it feels to me like country in denial. The lyrics were often compelling, but the compositions were just ok. Appropriate album title.

This was solid. I bet I would like it more, if I was from any of the dozen, southern towns she sings about. Imo, there is better stuff in this genre.

Sounds about two or three years past the prime years for this kind of sound, so not sure why it's on this list. It's decent for the style of Americana folkish rock, though. I'm just glad it's not all country, as the name kind of suggested. Just near country, somewhere along the spectrum between Tom Petty and Dolly Parton. 2/5

Enjoyed the first few tracks - and I thought maybe this will be a unknown gem for me as I am partial to a little bit of soft country rock. Unfortunately the quality begins to diminish and they all begin to merge into one big country twang. It reminded me a little of Cardigans country album - long gone before midnight - which I love and have listened to hundred of times. I'm sure if I listened to this enough it would grow alot more on me but sadly only managed a couple of listens due to its length. A high 3.

Car Wheels on a Gravel Road I’ve never listened to this, despite having always been very aware of it. It’s quite 90s sounding, particularly the space in the drums, but it's not too distracting, and you can definitely hear Steve Earle’s hand in things, it does sound like a few of his late 90s/early 00s albums. It also has a slight Sheryl Crow feel on the less overtly country songs, sharing a similar tasteful and enjoyable atmosphere, but with a bit more earthiness and rasp to her voice - although sometimes it feels as though it needs a little more of that grit and earthiness to match the album title and the evocative artwork. The title track is great, I love the chorus, and that little descending guitar figure on 2 Kool 2 Be-4-Gotten (such a 90s title) is rather lovely and it has a great vocal. Concrete and Barbwire is an excellent country ditty. And I love the Louisiana/creole/french sounding accordion on Lake Charles, taking it in a slightly unexpected direction. Can’t Let Go I like too, and Greenville is a nice downcast track. The slide heavy Joy is great, a nice shot of dusty bluesiness and it finishes with the excellent Jackon. In between the songs are decent if a little forgettable, so I think this lands as a very high 3, not quite making it to 4, as its just missing a few more really good songs, despite her excellent voice and the nice atmosphere 🚗🚗🚗 Playlist submission: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Although it's sometimes dressed in the trappings of the country style I despise (overbearing southern accent and singing about sad shit), for the most part this is a highly tasteful, laid back album, with a vocal completely absent of any arrogance - it's just straight down the line story tellin' (Suzanne Vega comes to mind). I really appreciated the vibe of this, and I appreciated the often lovely melodies that don't rely on clichéd country progression but carve their own path. It's as good as Guitar Town, and nice to see Steve Earle is heavily involved here. Still doesn't come close to Nancy Griffiths, but this was a very pleasant surprise. I may even listen again.

- Here's another example of the difficulty of this whole idea of rating these albums; I just can't place this record in the context of when it was released even though I'm certain that I heard then. My memory fails me. Listening to it now, the sound seems somewhat boring but, at the time of it's release, it was refreshing. I'm just unable to reclaim that experience ..... that's a failing on my part. It's a solid record with good writing and good performances. It's quite enjoyable. She made art and I'm not qualified to judge ..... -

Sheryl Crowe - similar.

Starting to understand country a bit more. Listened 3 times, on the 3rd… it clicked. Not a big lyrics guy but some great stories on this album.

I am not in the mood for this one. To follow Emerson, Lake, and Palmer with this is a travesty. I actually did not like this at any point in the album. I was happy when it ended. I didn't like the boring music, or her voice. I found myself getting more anxious as the album went on. I kept checking to see when it was going to be over, and I was disappointed every time until it was finally over. Lyrics were well written, so that will take this to a 2. Sorry, it just wasn't for me, and not on this day.

soft, kinda soothing country music from the deep south. this album tries its hardest to transport you right to the rural areas of america, on a dingy little road trip. this album is fine. the lyrics are nice and the instrumentals are fine... i guess this is just an album that i have nothing to say about, and i didn't really feel any emotions listening to. these are songs alright, but they aren't really amazing. i guess it won a grammy.

Not a fan of folk.

Pretty good. I think I can add this to the list of “I never realized how influential Springsteen was until hearing this” records.

I was in the midst of a huge alt-country (that was what we called it then, the term “Americana” came later) phase at the time this album came out. Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, Son Volt, Ryan Adams, the Jayhawks, the Bottlerockets, Wilco, the Old 97’s, the Mavericks, Gillian Welch, Slobberbone, Golden Smog, and -more than any other - this album. Even though I’m not still in that phase, I enjoy all that music to this day and have great residual affection for it. I would rank this album as one of my favorites of all time and think there is an argument that it represents the ultimate culmination of the alt-country genre. Alt-country cut out all the cheese of 80’s and 90’s country and stripped it back to basics, but also made it new. Alt-country artists were making country music with one eye on Hank and the other on the Ramones. Musically, “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” leaned more traditional than a lot of the other bands doing this at the time but still sounded incredibly fresh. Lyrically, this album surpassed all of its contemporaries, which is hard to do when you’re talking about Jeff Tweedy at his absolute best. Lucinda Williams’s lyrics perfectly describe the world of the rural South that I grew up in, or maybe that I have just made up in my head from scraps of memories and stories and popular culture. “When I get back this room better be picked up”; “Sorry no credit don’t ask, bathroom wall reads ‘Is God the answer? Yes!’”. That world couldn’t have survived modernity because it was like a junebug in a hurricane, and it shouldn’t have because it was full of absolute horrors. But those dark parts made the light spots glow like a neon sign in the middle of nowhere on a pitch black night. Those parts of that time and place were too cool to be forgotten. “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” helps keep their memory alive.

basic and boring

1.5/5

I guess this is country pop? Mellow sounding and a bit bland.

this was ok but just not really my thing :(

Stunning album by an incredible artist. Many coming through the alt-country current structure owe a debt to her.

I particularly enjoyed the (strangely titled) 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten, which leans more heartland rock than country I guess. There's a bit of Dylan influence at times, but she has a distinctive voice and her own brand of Americana, updated for the 90s. Some of this sounds like stuff Taylor Swift would like... The middle section is almost all good, with only Concrete and Barbed Wire missing the mark for me. Metal Firecracker might be the best of the bunch, bendy guitar blending harmoniously with her drawl. Jackson is a great closer, mournful voice full of vibrato amid gentle acoustic backing.

It’s not bad but it’s not great. Kind of reminds me of the sort of CD npr would send you as a thank you to donating.

Good.

This sounds like Sheryl Crow without the fun hit singles. It grew on me as it went in though. A score of 3.5 because it was nice enough and I could bing it in again. But I don’t know if I ever will.

Very 90’s sounding in a good way and not surprising as released in 1998 - pleasant.

country music is so bad

Very nice vocals and good songwriting for a pretty mainstream singer-songwriter/country record. Not my favorite style, but I’d never be upset if it was playing in a room I’m in.

oh man, this hits home for sure. big fan of Steve Earle and Emmylou Harries, and I've seen all 3 of them on San Fran festival stages in the park early mornings. that whole scene of modern country incorporating more influences from other genres is represented here. its a fun record, even if you don't like country. she is a firecracker (with a song called Metal Firecracker) both lyrically and vocally. Right In Time is a basically a perfect opener, country aside. her style continues to be felt today even though you may have never heard of her. its simple and playful, stripped of pretention and judgement. I will say this would be something i listened to later in my life and have come to appreciate it more, def did not grow up liking these songs. but me and parents loved goin to see her live and listening to Drunken Angel having beers in the park. that grit of country living with the painful remorse of loss is a theme running throughout. its got that 90's feel as well that gives it that uniqueness from what came before and after. the debutante of country music is a memory of the past, Lucinda tells how its ugly as well as beautiful. its not for everyone, but the people within this scene agree that she is one of the greatest of all time. having seen her live, (18 years AFTER this record) she still has that spirit. its almost a 4/5 for how important to music it is and my personal connection, but truthfully, i prob wouldn't turn it on without other people. its clear that she loves music and puts out honestly. Joy is a banger. its music made for the live experience and the community that sprouts from it. "sometimes people just want to have fun." Jackson is slow and super country, a somber yet appropriate ending.

Pretty basic country songs. Not as bad as some reviews are making out, but hardly exciting enough to make the list either in my opinion.

3.5

Hræðilegt

Encore un album du musilot de China China. Rempli de maudites bonnes chansons. J'adore la voix de Lucinda Williams.

You can't hear pictures. Car wheels on a gravel road cover: Super belle découverte, je l'ai écouté 3x en une journée.

Excellent country! Belle voix un peu écorchée, belle instrumentation, refrains catchy. Parfois un peu répétitif mais je suis prêt à pardonner. Etrangement elle est bonne pour chanter au sujet de villes, certaines de mes préférées étant Greenville et Jackson (et Druken Angel, et Can’t let go)

I'm back and pretty into it babyyyyy

Good country twang, but became fairly monotonous.

¿Por qué coño hacen los discos tan largos? Realmente está bien y suena todo muy bonito, pero esta mujer no tiene rango vocal para cantar tanto.

Real solid. Might put this back on

Not being a fan of country, it's a bit too twangy for me, too much Americana. In spite of that, I feel like this is a more accessible country record that others in this list, like Steve Earle's Guitar Town (who is a producer here). The record also feels a bit flat, like it never really turns the energy up from the slow Americana ballad. Her songwriting is very good though, she's a good storyteller. Her lyrics feel personal and her singing makes it feel more emotional. "Lake Charles" is the best example of this, as Williams sings about the death of her ex. Musically, the best for me was "Still I Long For Your Kiss", which was a bit more lively and has a fun guitar solo.

28/06/2025 Not really my thing, but it was listenable.

I saw alternative country and rolled my eyes. However, this ended up being more enjoyable than I anticipated. It leans into country, but not too far. Well done Lucinda.

Overall: 4/10 While there are some good moments on here, I found it pretty underwhelming overall. The big highlight is the lyrics. I think if the instrumentals were better I'd enjoy this more but I found them bland, especially the drums. Not for me. Fav Song: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten (what a dumb 90s name) Least Fav Song: Greenville

This might rival Gold by Ryan Adams as the most boring album I’ve had so far. It was completely unremarkable in every way. Seriously I’m writing this and I cannot remember anything about this album.

Title track is such a good one! Layered, catchy thoughtful album the whole way through.

Lovely album. Will listen to more of her music.

Sometimes I wonder if listening to all these albums is worth it, but then I get gems like these and I know that opening my mind and trying new things is always, always worth it. Oh my god. There's just something so relatable to CWOAGR, even though I am the perfect opposite of a small town Southern american broken-hearted lady - I guess some experiences are truly shared amongst all women, such as longing for home and mourning the loss of girlhood. Anyways. I LOVE FOLK COUNTRY

Pretty dece is she from LA

Fantastic album. What a voice

I’m not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t this. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is a beautiful Americana album, not typically my style. Williams is clearly a great songwriter. Highlights are the opening Right on Time and the title track. At times it’s almost too clean and produced 7.1/10

Basically a taste of what would become the downfall of country music

Much like the sound of car wheels on a gravel road, this album is pleasant yet unspectacular.

4.5 stars This may be a 5 star album that I’m reluctant to praise so highly because I knew nothing about it before listening to it. But it’s clearly powerful and transcendent. Great songwriting that boosts Lucinda Williams from a name I’m familiar to someone I’m going to continue to explore.

Meh

J,aime pas tant les arrangements, mais certaine tounes sont bonnes. La premiere est d'ailleurs excellente.

Ça m'a pas trop dérangé mais j'vais jamais réécouter. Des bouttes j'ai l'impression qu'elle exagère un peu son drag en chantant. Un peu over-compressé dans l'ensemble. Y'a aissi des bruits de fond vraiment gossant des fois.

A note about (other people's) methodology: This isn't Ms Williams' first, or last, or best album. (on the last point, try Essence, for example). It is, though, the first album she made that got 'breakthrough' attention – reviews in the broadsheets, appearances on late night music programmes, etc. (These are UK reference points, I should point out. But since this list is subtly UK-centric, I think that's ok.) Equally important is that this album is from a time before streaming, where it was actually rather difficult to check out an album without, you know, buying it. (There's a lot to be said about how this may have influenced attachment to music, and the perceived disposability of much new music nowadays. This is a discussion for another time and place.) The point here is that it was possible to have a perception of an album without having engaged very closely with it. A reputation built on the amplified opinions of a few taste makers. (Another example, that ticks all the boxes above, is Yo La Tengo's Summer Sun) Anyway. This isn't the Lucinda Williams album I'll take with me to a desert island.

Country.

An album that I both feel like I like, and like I don't like it. Not sure what to think of it in the end. Weird thing. I think that it has potential to be a bit more, but it's not there. It's such a tricky thing to describe.

Certainly a 90s vibe to this. The music is solid but you have to really be in the mood for this vibe.

I liked this album when it came out, and I still find it easy to listen to. It does suffer from a bit of a mundane sameness quality, in that there are only a few tracks that stand out from the others. But I like her voice and the vibe overall.

Amazingly constructed breakup album

Not what I expected at all, and I ended up really liking it!

Is it a good country album? I think that's undeniable. There's some really great songwriting, and a lot of catchy tunes that I was thinking about after the album was over. Is this one of the best country albums ever, let alone or of the best albums ever made? I'm not sure I would say that, I don't listen to a lot of country, but I really enjoy it as a mood, and I don't think that country was in a really good place creatively in 1998 when this came out if this made that huge of an impact on the genre, because ultimately outside of a few songs this sounds like a by the numbers country album. Not that there's really anything fundamentally wrong with that, if you like your country music to be catchy and very similar sounding this has that to offer, but I wouldn't go as far as to say this is anything too memorable. Maybe I'm being too harsh on it, if I ever get the urge to listen to this again I will, but I think this is pretty decent at best, and too reliant on country stereotypes to be interesting at worst

I’m not averse to a bit of Americana and I initially had high hopes for this album - songs like the title track and one called Barbed Wire and Concrete have a gritty, Springsteen-esque feel to them. However, the reality fell somewhat short - it’s fairly by the numbers alt-country stuff, with barely a fiddle or banjo to be heard. There’s also a car crash of a production process detailed on the wiki page, with 90% of the songs being scrapped and a falling out with her long time producer.

This sounds like very cliché American country music. And it is pretty forgettable, nothing is really outstanding here. Doesn't hate it but this is boring.

I liked this more than I expected. I don't like most "modern country" and so pretty much anything after 1980 is usually not all that interesting for me. She's got a great voice, and these are interesting songs, with good instrumentation. Very traditional overall, with a nice bit of a folk and blues influence tucked in here and there.

Well here's a name I've known forever but never bothered to listen do. Stupid me. I'll be digging into this discography now.

I thought this was reasonably good. I liked her voice more than others here seem to (she sounded a bit like Laura Marling on the first track).

This was a great album. Super well recorded and produced. I enjoyed the songs and it was a great listen. I'll definitely dive into this again.

For me, a lot of highs, and a lot of... Yeah that was just okay. Highlights include "2 Kool to be forgotten", "can't let go", "Jackson".

Sheryl Crow vibe

Rock country like Cheryl Crow

7/1001. Many of my friends have said that recently they listen to mostly country music. Well screw them! ;) Ok, jokes aside. As a matter of fact I do own one Lucinda Williams cd, her voice is great and songs are simple enough. But thats maybe the problem - too simple songs – for me nothing really stands out here, and to call this album a masterpiece, or that it should be included in the list of albums one should hear before they die is just too much for my musical taste. Mellow and smooth and sometimes sad, sometimes funny, but hey, so are millions of other albums as well. Blame me for not understanding country & western and I'll go drink one for you. When I get to Inari I don't think I miss this record that much. Or even remember any of its songs.

another folksy singer songwriter record!! how fun

It was fine, but nothing I’ll ever think about again.

Really interesting country/rock/pop style album. Really like the sound and voice.

It's not bad, just unexciting. It's not for me. Favorite song: can't let go.

This was very good. I was familiar with the tracks Car Wheels On A Gravel Road and Can't Let Go but the remaining numbers were pretty new to me. Right In Time has been added to my playlist of faves. It's a very well-produced album with fantastic instrumentation and an all-round great Americana country/folk sound.

01) Right in Time - 7,5 02) Car Wheels on a Gravel Road - 7,0 03) 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten - 7,0 04) Drunken Angel - 6,5 05) Concrete and Barbed Wire - 6,0 06) Lake Charles - 6,0 07) Can't Let Go - 7,0 08) I Lost It - 6,5 09) Metal Firecracker - 6,0 10) Greenville - 6,0 11) Still I Long for Your Kiss - 6,0 12) Joy - 6,0 13) Jackson - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,46 (65/100) Current ranking: 400/560

Not a country fan to begin with, and liked this less than I was hoping. The title track is repetitive in the worst way possible. The instruments can't save this one.

Great Americana album

Chillig Love to imagine doing cartwheels on a gravel road Yee haw I fell asleep

Lethargic, dull, uninspired. She sounds drunk and half asleep. The lyrics are the caliber you'd expect from an amateur at an open mic night on a Tuesday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A low-rent Sheryl Crow, at least she sounds like a real person and not a 50-foot tall pop monstrosity, but that's the most praise I can give.

This is an album I really want to like and have tried many times to enjoy, the title track is really good, the production and feel of the album are great but the songs themselves leave me flat.

Cleanly produced solid country singer-songwriter. There’s nothing wrong with this - but is it mind-blowing, nah.

first let’s get this out of the way… she’s not a great singer. i would describe her voice as four parts sheryl crow and one part courtney love. this was ok, but i wasn’t really blown away.

Her voice gets on me sometimes but this is a pretty fun record. Think I listened to it before.

Итс окэй, приятная музыка, важные темы. Лучшая песня - Right in Time.

A few bangers, but plenty of whiny songs

Very good country rock that occasionally sounds like Jack White. Slightly too long considering a lot of the songs sound very similar. Never properly moves me.

Pretty generic country pop. There's nothing that would make me spin this one again.

On folk/country/rock category thai album is easy listening. Still slightly boring

Why is this in this list, I cannot understand. Didn't even have a stamina to listen this through.