I’m a Lonesome Fugitive

Track 1 got the memo and Had More Cowbell. Country isn't my fave genre, but Merle's pure voice doesn't offend too much, but fits the woebegone tracks to a T. Then he had to go and rage kill his mate,,,

I would like more albums BY women and fewer albums with songs about murdering them.

Yet more bloody country music. I genuinely don't understand why so much of this gets featured when there's practically no traditional music from other countries. And unless it's Johnny Cash, I just can't take this outlaw country thing seriously at all. It's all performative misery and cosplaying as cowboys. Most of this album felt like a parody to me.

bah - i really dislike country

Fint men inte hans bästa

Trallvänligt men ointressant. Svag trea

Samma, i och för sig ganska härliga, formulär 1A-countrylåt i 30 minuter. 2an avrundas uppåt för kontrasten mellan glättigheten och de becksvarta gangstatexterna

Asså det var rätt bjäring, sorry Merle

Rätt go mysig country om att vara brottsling

i enjoyed listening to this, pretty voice. but 'if you want to be my woman' made me beel triggered

Oh god it's more country I gave it a chance, i listened through, and Merle gives us tales of woman blaming, toxic masculinity, using his exes to explain why he's such an arsehole... but don't worry because he's a folksy Christian boy so you should still love him. Yeah, country isn't for me.

This is some serious country, which is why I don't know how to elaborate on it, except to say that I like it

Jesus... I understand that Dolly Parton died, but didn't realize that meant I'd have to suffer a full week of country albums being generated here. I can't stand this. The whole album sounds like nails on a chalkboard. It's like a master class in everything I hate about this genre.

Not for me

It’s just very boring and bland

Decent country album. 3/5

Not really my thing but not terrible and some of the later songs on the album were interesting.

Meh. Old country. Was OK.

I’m not going to pretend I didn’t like this!

I thought this was not too bad at the start but I was over it after a few songs

Just solid classic country.

This was fun to listen to! It kind of lost some energy in the middle of things, but I feel like it came back near the end.

Drink up and be somebody, and If you want to be my woman. I was ready to rip the album cover thinking Merle looks like he'd never hobo'd a ride on a train and the man spent time on the inside. Never judge a book..

country. non l’ho finito perché mi ero annoiata, ma è carino come sottofondo e il country non è mai terribilissimo

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It was still full of the usual Country cliches but he has certain gritty approach to the genre

skipeado

I'm sure I've heard some Merle Haggard over the years. Seem to remember an ex girlfriend's dad was a big fan of old country music. I've been more interested in this type of music lately maybe it's getting older or just needing a break from heavier music. Didn't recognize any songs on this one but still sounded good. I like his baritone voice and the steel guitar of course.

1967.

396/1089 oh god, here we go… really wasn’t a fan of this. I’m glad i heard it as part of the project i guess?? since i would never have otherwise but i’m just absolutely not the audience 12/100

I just don't really like most country music and this album is no exception.

About as classic as country gets, what more do you need to know?

uninspring country

Easy listening country! Nothing to really differentiate the songs on an individual level but it was all so relaxing I really didn’t care.

2.8

This was unfortunately not the correct Merle Haggard album for token inclusion on the list.

I really liked this album, but I particularly enjoy albums that have a running theme or overall 'story'. A definite add to my library.

I feel you have to be in a particular mood for country music. And today I am not in that mood.

Ikke dumt, bare ikke min greie.

Kort å behagelig

OG country. Fin plate med litt glimt i øyet. Trekker litt for steel guitar.

Låten blir så veldig lik hverandre at det blir kjedelig etter hvert. Veldig deilig når You Want To Be My Woman kommer å rocke litt.

Traller av gårde, lille Merle, med den sidrompa kåbbåikøntrien sin.

Another short kinda forgettable album Not sure if this one is a pedo, so he gets 2 stars

I like Merle Haggard well enough but I'm not sure what it is about THIS album that needed to be on the list

I was just gonna give it 4 stars because I love some good ol' classic Bakersfield country, but I'm gonna go ahead and bump it up to 5 to spite the dickhead with the top review. They gave Limp Bizkit and The Prodigy 5 stars. What a tool.

Straight up, no-nonsense country album, losing your woman, getting drunk, going to prison, going on the run, all to the accompaniment of steel guitar. quite listenable.

Right after a really good country album I got another in the same genre. This wasn't as good though. Some parts were catchy but mostly it was an okay but forgetable album as a whole. I can't say I really remember any song after it was over.

I quite liked Merle’s voice, but after the first two tracks it just started to bore me.

This was just your typical country album, which is fine - just not really my thing.

One of those albums where it immediately became apparent that, genre-wide, this wasn't going to be my kinda thing, so I settled in for 30 odd minutes of perfectly pleasant background noise... "While Mama used to pray my crops would fail" What? Some seriously questionable parenting there... I have settled into a sort of pattern with a lot of these country and bluegrass albums, which is imagining they are the soundtrack to a Coen Brothers film. In that context, this would be pretty darn good. However, this sort of croony slide guitar country stuff is never going to be something I would want to put on when I want to listen to some music. I am going to be kind and say 2 because I liked Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart, but this is really a 1.5 for me. 2/5

This was way too country for me. I did not enjoy this. Not for me. I like some old country, but not this.

Fine.

This guy has a nice voice. The first track, the title track, it was quite nice for what it was. This genre has never really been my thing but there’s genuinely some good stuff here. All of me belongs to you had a lovely little flow to it with the musics. I liked the steady guitar in the background punctuated with just a few notes. House of memories was nice. Still doesn’t outrank the PATD track on my “House of Memories” tier list, but a solid effort. Life in prison was fine. Whatever happened to me was again nice and steady, his voice was nice in this one. Drink up and be somebody had a nice little guitar solo. If you want to be my woman was the first track in here I felt there was a possibility of dancing to. Mary’s mine was very sweet. Skid row, aside from the subject matter, was actually quite fun. Mixed up mess of a heart was actually great and an awesome way to end this. This list tricked me into enjoying a country album. Welp, it was pretty good. 3.5/5 ⭐️ 216/1089

Carefree country spirit flows freely from the tender vocals and calming slide guitar on this classic outlaw tearjerker. Does it have much staying power, though? Unfortunate that the answer is no. Looking forward to listening to his greatest hits- I think the real hard-hitters will be present there

This is the kind of country music that I can listen to, the old stuff. New country is a pretty big turn off for me, it seems dull and cliche. This album, however is great especially the title song. I'm a fan of his work and enjoy his collaborations too. The music is classic and his vocals are top notch. I'm sure I will listen to this one again.

Ugh country, the bar is so high for me to even tolerate it. First two seconds of the first song, when I only heard guitar, I was like, "oooh this is nice," and then he started singing. Ughhh. 2* because the music itself is not bad, but it's not for me at all.

Love that Bakersfield sound! I like old school country and this was a good one.

Good album

The last hip-hop album was 54 listens ago. Though Merle it’s probably my least favorite outlaw. This is still an excellent album thoroughly enjoyed.

no soy tan fan, pero no esta ,mal

Merle. Cornerstone of classic country.

Solid country album

Surprised how much I enjoyed that. Knew the name but never listened to an album. 4/5.

Music like this is why dive bars were created.

Ooooh this is what country music’s all about. Just some ballads, lonely hearts, outlaw energy, and probs drunk.

Visions of Pappy Wayne, behind the wheel of the white van, staring into the sun with tears in his eyes. Merle + Biggie = BFFs in the Great Beyond

Haggard is one of country's most iconic singer/songwriters. Shines quite a lot when there's harmonies involved. Surprisingly, he only has one album on this list when he could at least have one or two more. Nevertheless, I'm A Lonesome Fugitive is probably not Haggard's best work, but definitely up there as one of his more essential records. Even for anti-country snobs (as they are many here), this is some of the best music you can find from the genre that isn't just Johnny Cash, or that one Ween album.

Country vibe these days ! Its perfectly fine but I don't know when to listen to that outside of Buffalo Grill !!

Fun and found a few songs stuck in my head for a little while.

The negative reviews are insane this is really good so far; almost like a mix between Johnny Cash & Glen Campbell Merle Haggard has a good voice A no skip album for me I'm gonna come back to this one

i am severely disappointed about this being the album yall generated on my BIRTHDAY like bro thats not me

A classic outlaw country album but not really for me

A decent country album, though for me nothing really jumps out amongst the tracks.

I don’t usually listen to country music(old or new) but if I do it’s this type, not the kind that sounds like a megachurch band.

HICK MUSIC FUCK YEAAAAAAA

This is country I can handle- old school, folksy/bluesy, not obnoxiously twangy and centered on trucks.

Felt the emotions behind the songs. I didn’t think it challenged much in terms of country

I prefer older country music, though I have never heard a Merle Haggard album before. This is my first and I did not know any of these songs either. I guess I'm a Merle Haggard novice. I absolutely think I'm a Lonesome Fugitive should be in the book, but I didn't really connect with the music as much as I anticipated that I would. Maybe it takes more listens than I gave the album and it's not like I wouldn't listen to this music if it were on the radio. I should add this music to my personal collection of 1001 albums that I must hear, just because it's Merle Haggard and interesting music to hear. Worthy of inclusion but I didn't enjoy it as much as I had anticipated. My favorite songs: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive House of Memories Whatever Happened to Me Drink Up and Be Somebody Someone Told My Story Mixed Up Mess of a Heart

Classic country that makes me wanna throw my cowboy boots and boot scoot across the floor

Boring, slow, country.

I like how much older country there is on this list, there's just something to pre-80s country albums that get to me. I'd say that this is on the weaker side of all the old country I've gotten on the list so far, but it's still a pretty good time. There's a lot of good lyricism on the record and I'll never complain about a honky-tonk piano.

Cool country, filled with enjoyable oldies. An average listening experience.

Old country is actually good.

3+/5

In the hard-living country tradition of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. The steel guitars and bass reminded me of wood-paneled stereos and watching Hee Haw with my parents on Saturday nights.

I question the entries on this list often especially the country albums. Most of them seemed to be picked from a hat. Merle definitely deserves to be on this list but this album? It’s just ok

This trots along rather pleasantly and inoffensively. I don’t hate it but it’s not something I would ever choose to listen to

Servicable early country record. Merle's live albums are bit more interesting and fun to listen to. For people that wish they liked this more, or people who loved it, try his 1985 live album Amber Waves of Grain.

Between Okie from Muskogee and Fighting side of me, parts of this were pretty hard to get through. His voice is lovely though which made up for the cringy parts.

Quite good tunes thx

This is so good. Some of the songs are a bit trite and old fashioned. But all of the other pieces mesh so well that I'm more than willing to overlook my nitpicks.

5/10… country / honky tonk / *1967

Country clásico. Sin más

I cannot remember almost anything about this and I listened to it yesterday.

meh. first couple tracks were pretty good

The top review is a country hating one. Typical. Doesn't matter, none of us, *especially* that reviewer, will be half the man that Haggard was. A native of the Bakersfield region (look it up, it's the land that time forgot), he taught himself to play the guitar at age 12, and by 13 he was robbing and riding freight trains at a young age and then did time many times over. Later, as an adult and inmate at San Quentin, he attended Johnny Cash's concert, which profoundly influenced his desire to be a recording artist. It's like this guy was destined to be a country music outlaw. It's a shame that comps are not allowed, as I feel that they represent Merle a lot better than this album, but this was an important release for its time as he wrote almost all of the songs himself, and it sold well in spite of the rather rugged and in-your-face content. So, it gets a 4.5, only because it's the only Haggard album on the list. Plus, once again, this kind of country music is GREAT. True stories and wonderful melodies and harmonies. Can't wait when we get past the "I listen to everything but country and hip-hop" phase of humanity.

Solid, but nothing magical.

Very solid roots country album. Would give 3.5 stars if I could

Ehh

Some folk’ll never eat a skunk, but then again some folk’ll, like Cletus the slack-jawed yokel. (I did find the title track beautiful though)

Jaunty little country album with some blues style woes peppered throughout. Classic American style guitar with twanging lyrics about the bad stuff that he has had to go through. The backing band is solid to get the job done, did enjoy the upbeat piano that starts on If You Want To Be My Woman specifically. Good old school country, not my genre but well done

Ole Hagg never misses. Love the breezy guitar that he features in a lot of his songs. His songwriting is arguably the best of his era, always raw and real. He’s the working man’s poet for a reason.

Ripper of a 60s country album. If you can take this schmoozy time capsule at face value, it's very charming. The lyrical content is the star here, very "cowboy poet." Though Merle's voice is at the center, that doesn't stop the strings from providing some soulful solos, as well as some great call and response bits with the vocals like on tracks like My Rough and Rowdy Ways. This is one of my favorite eras of country music, so it's easy for me to look past this albums shortcomings. If you're not into country as much as I am, you'll probably rate this lower, but I implore you to cast aside preconceived notions of who this album is for. Do you get lovesick? Depressed? Confused? Ever had to drink to give yourself some liquid courage? This album is for you.

Merle Haggard's I'm Lonesome isn't among his most essential albums, but I enjoyed it more than I expected. What stood out most was its laid-back, melancholy vibe. The album settles into a consistent mood of loneliness and reflection without ever feeling overly dramatic, making it an easy record to get lost in. The songs are rooted in traditional country, with understated arrangements that let Haggard's warm, weathered voice take center stage. While there aren't many tracks that rank among his all-time classics, the album is consistently enjoyable and never feels forced. Its strength lies in the atmosphere it creates rather than in individual standout moments. Overall, I'm Lonesome is a solid, comforting listen. I liked it for its unhurried pace and genuine, lived-in feel. Its honest songwriting and relaxed vibe make it well worth hearing for fans of classic country.

Old-school country, genuinely enjoyed.

Classic old country. I ‘likey

it sounds samey but it's also short and i liked listening to it

This is the music my father played when I was young. I loathed most of it. This isn't as bad as I remember but it could be the nostalgia factor.

this was shockingly soothing in like, a "yes, I would perhaps listen to this again" way

its funny I relate this kind of country music with Johnny Cash as if he was the only one in the genre with more serious and sometimes fun themes. I enjoyed this quite a bit more than I expected, its got that classic slide guitar all over it and some good ol' dirt road driving charm.

Really enjoyable country album. Life In Prison is one of the funniest songs about a man praying for the sweet release of death. And it will be sweet!

I like Buck Owens more, but I’m giving this a four because I owe a great debt to Bakersfield.

Although I'm not convinced this record necessarily belongs on a list like this, it's definitely a style of music I can blissfully lose myself in from time to time. That said, I am much more likely to reach for a Willie Nelson album when this particular need arises - there's something very 'clean' about this record and I much prefer Nelson's more ragged approach. A nice listen though.

In the country oeuvre I have no doubt Merle Haggard rides high. It passed by as a series of dusty tracks, love woes, down and out moments and some humour as most of the best country does, without ever really arresting my attention. Solid "proper" country without anything standout to these ears.

Fun classic country

Continuing a week of meh albums for me

the only tracks this guy should stick with are train tracks or moose 2/5

Elvisy voice. I like I'm a lonesome fugitive the most. Too slow for my liking though.

What a cool surprise! Very deep lyrics embedded in nice livily melodies

Lidt for country til min smag

Merle is another legend that I'll always listen to. 10/5

3.5

3.75

This was just kind of ok. I was hoping for less twang, but then the stories didnt really grab to excuse the twang. That said, I admit I just had it on in the background and wasnt paying close attention, but for the most part a lot of these songs feel kind of lazy. Especially for 1967, this feels dated, but I might be comparing it to Johnny Cash, which isnt fair. He has a nice voice, but it sounds like a guy who is singing someone else's experience but pretending like he did.

Kinda cool. I like the guy's delivery. I think think this generator thing is getting me into country. This one is very listenable and very satisfying. Not going to melt my mind and unlikely to become my absolute favourite, but actually pleasant in a way that I can't take for granted

Music to be a vapid racist to. Gave it a 2 only because it didn't break me nearly as much as Western did.

This was really catchy. I like his voice. I'll give it a 4

It's all there, the strong vocals, the slide guitars and the subtly honky-tonk pianos, the lyrics portraying tormented characters... but man, I wish Merle would have spent even a single second on this album thinking outside the box called "country ballads".

Twangy old school country is not my thing.

People will complain that this album is dull or not experimental, but they won't consider that it's just classic, clean Country. Nice vocals - gorgeous guitar.

Not my speed and didnt win me over

This is just country. Doesn't seem new or innovative

Country music is so funny - happy music while lyrics go "oh its better that i die now" or "someone wrote a song about you cheated on me" or "my girlfriend wants to settle down but i love gambling"

Nah not for me

I didn't expect to like this album at all but I ended up really liking it

Album #181 Merle Haggard: I’m A Lonesome Fugitive I’m not even one of those “I’ll listen to anything but country guys”, but I’d be lying if I said that only a country album can make 30 minutes feel like a slog. The main issue with bad/boring country is the lack of grit; for an album supposedly about fugitives, in a genre called ‘outlaw’ country, you would think there would be some gunslinging; instead, all we are left with is one-note, sappy woe-is-me ballads. I mean, I guess there is a time and place for sad cowboy songs, but after about five I think we get the point. I say it ad nauseum, but truly Townes Van Zandt is country done right: sentimental yet powerful, presents a message yet stays relatable. Alt-country also does really well in paving over the flaws of classic country, keeping the same melancholy vibe but channelling it into angst. Oh well, at least I now know what to listen to when I drop by the old saloon in a desert town. Best Songs: I’m A Lonesome Fugitive, House of Memories, Drink Up And Be Somebody Worst Song: Skid Row Score out of 10: 4.5

Not terrible but not super enjoyable.

Honestly found more to like here than I would have expected. This is at its best when he leans into the outlaw vibe and at its worst when it's more just love songs, but some songs here kinda hit actually. Life in Prison is such a weird mashup of sort of peppy music but suicidal ideation?? The music is variable but some good pedal steel, and I like the sort of rockier/blusier vibe of Skid Row. Not something I'd listen to a lot honestly, but as someone that very much is not a country fan, this is the style I can get more behind.

Kind of a snooze fest, no?

This is not my favorite sound in country music, so there's a strike against it for that. It's also not terribly exciting from a lyrical ground or covers new storytelling territory. So, *shrug*.

I really loved this album!

06/09 Boring

Reminds me of my childhood and listening to the radio in Grandpa's car

It doesn’t feel like a boast, but more like a statement. He’s a bad man who loves his woman. Nothing fancy just simple effective songs of life on the road and lam.

Great, nostalgic album. Didn't do anything new or exciting with the genre.

There’s definitely some bangers on this album a lot of songs kind of sound the same and they can get a tiresome, but this is a solid country album

I understand people’s gripes with country, and maybe I’m just biased from my nostalgia for growing up and listening to this kind of country on the radio with my dad, but there’s just something so pleasant and inviting about this era of country music. Haggard’s voice is very good and I even think these arrangements are a lot more fun and musical than other similar country albums. Writing is a bit cliche but not bad either. All in all, it’s short, sweet, and enjoyable.

The country in this list do far, for me personally. has never been bad, but never been very good either.

Country, country; and more country

Liked it more than I thought

I've learnt to like a lot of older country, but this didn't really hit like Johnny Cash or that Ray Charles country album that rules.

Pre Listen: Merle Haggard and The Strangers are complete strangers to me. The album cover doesn't give me the vibes of something I'd likely enjoy, but I'm keeping an open mind. Notable Tracks: Life In Prison - A stand-out song to me as one I enjoyed more than the rest. Not my favorite, but for the overall country sound that most of the album has, this one does it best. If You Want To Be My Woman - My favorite track on the album. It stood out to me from the rest as being closer to classic rock than country. Reminds me of Elvis. Good sound. My Rough And Rowdy Ways - Least favorite track on the album. One of the few that felt like it realllyy dragged. Boring lyrics about being useless. Post Listen: It was pretty much what I expected with little exception. I do prefer this sort of classic-country to modern day pop-country. The lyrical work of this album compared to today's country songs which without fail talk exclusively about either guns, girls, god, beer, or trucks, is great. The lead singer's voice is consistently good, and he strikes great harmonies with the other vocalists. The sliding electric guitar throughout the album is another highlight, I love that nostalgic feeling it carries. Sadly this is another such case where the songs start to really blend. No least favorite track, nothing terribly offensive, just nothing amazing again. The album felt like it was dragging towards the end. I can absolutely see how anyone could enjoy the sleepy melodies, it is quality music, it's just too sleepy for me. Sounds like something I'd hear in Fallout New Vegas. 3/5

https://youtube.com/shorts/SjJxi_E0hEA?si=GRpdQziR3KW2lwY-

6 / 10

2.5

This was so bad. It Made me feel like a divorced dad mourning a relationship I ruined

'if you wanna be my woman then you know you gotta let me be your man' okay...?

Pretty run of the mill country album. Definitely a few songs I would put on in the background but nothing I think I’d sing along to or that. Harmless album not a must listen tho.

Generic country music. There is plenty more far better done.

Forgettable, but okay.

how was this made in 2001

Alright. It sounded nice. But like the blues albums, it becomes a bit stale after a while

1. fugitive - 2 2. belongz - 2 3. memoriez - 2 4. prizon - 1 5. happened - 2 6. drink - 2 7. ztory - 1 8. uuoman - 1 9. mine - 2 10. zkid - 1 11. rough - 1 12. heart - 1

I REALLY enjoyed this record. It's classic country that I'd not really dug into much before. The songs are catchy, there's a decided blues influence on the guitar and his singing is simply amazing.

Очень мелодичный кантри-альбом. Все песни похожи по стилю между собой, но их звучание приятное и не надоедает.

Love me some old country. Why do they always kill a woman though? 🤔

Love this era of country music. Nice variety of songs, from ballads to even a rock n’ roller which I was not expecting. Great voice, great guitar work.

Old school country The bottle let me down Swinging doors

Not my cup of tea, but I appreciate why others would like it.

This is the absolute epitome of twee country bollocks. Every song is just a relentless depressing dirge of how shit life is. Fucking awful.

5/25/26. Didn’t think I’d like this as much when this came up. The songs are simple, but great storytelling that nails the country genre in my opinion. Vocals are spot on too.

There wasn't anything wrong with the album, but nothing really stood out to me from it. I can appreciate the occasional country song, but I wasn't hooked.

This is so charming.

Surely there are better Merle Haggard albums

cool album. nice suggestions

I’ve heard this before. This is great classic country with some good outlaw tunes and none of the more reactionary songs he put out in the 70s. (He got his shit straight later during the Bush administration and I admire that about him) Like a lot of classic country from this era, some of the songs blend together, especially the slower ones with the kind of call/response thing with vocals and lap steel, but most of them stand out on their own. It starts and ends on a series of bangers and just a bit of filler as mentioned above. Solid classic Bakersfield country.

Wasn't drunk enough for this one

slow and sentimental

Decent story telling but god I hate country music.

Entspannend

Okay so this fully gives USA USA USA vibes but I don't...hate it? Like it's comforting? Surely not my fav but yeehaw I guess

Them's some jaunty ditties, boy. Shout out for the cover art: hard as nails!

#133/1001 🇺🇸 Sorry, this didn't do much for me. I'm sure that in the right moment and in the right place it makes sense. He has a good voice but it was grating on me by the 3rd track in. Best tracks: Drink up and be Somebody, House of Memories.

I really like Gram Parsons and listening to this I can hear he must have been very influenced Merle Haggard. Country isn’t my comfort zone but if it’s done well I can dig it, good stories, plenty of lap steel and some tight harmonies. There are some stand out tracks on here and in general I like it. Totally appreciate that if you don’t like the genre you won’t like this album but this is an example of high quality country music of the 60’s / 70’s. 3.4

Some good tracks and some not so good. Probably influences a lot of the more modern country, some of which I like.

I don't remember a time when Merle Haggard looked or sounded less than old and, well, haggard, so hearing a much younger version of his voice is pretty novel. Ironically I think these songs probably sound more authentic with his later voice even though he'd lived them already at this point.

Hard to rate this one. One I’ll be going back to. Definitely enjoyed it.

some pretty non offensive nice sounding classic country

not for me

I appreciate merles crisp clean clear vocals.

I’m glad there’s a Merle Haggard album on this list, and I’m glad it’s the one that contains’My Rough and Rowdy Ways’ (I’d bet my stack of antique Triplicates this is where Dylan got the idea). But, this album doesn’t stand out on its own. It’s so short that I didn’t even realize it’d begun before it was over. The Rolling Stone 500 list includes compilations, and their’s selects a career-spanning epic of Merle Haggard songs. It’s a conundrum. I’m here for albums and to get a flavor of the history of popular music. Merle Haggard should be included, but his albums aren’t much to write home about. I’m not here for compilations, but in this case, you really get to live in the vibe when you have like 75 songs instead of 10. So, a five for Merle as an artist. A lackluster 2 for I’m a Lonesome Fugitive as an album.

On a train #hobolife

I was going to say “like George Jones but not as dark!” Then I heard “Life in Prison!” 🙀 Not my favorite type of Country. That is, a little too corny and there’s a lot of tropes. Some nice playing obviously, Glen Campbell is on here and there’s shades of the Bakersfield sound some proto-rockin’-country that seems like the only thing I heard in the 90s. It’s alright, Haggard has a nice voice, and some of the songs evoke the later outlaw country trend. Too polished for me though.

music is love

I wasn’t as into this album as I expected to be. Still a good listen but just not excited by it.

I think im a sucker for this music in the right setting

yay

Ещё один кантри альбом который ты слушаешь пока едешь на заднем сидении за город на старом разваливающимся Форде твоей бабушки, а летний свет бьет тебе в лицо. Я вслушался в текст на House of Memories и понимаю что это грустная песня для грустных мужчин среднего возраста, но я хз почему я обязан это послушать Серьёзно, я хз почему в этом списке так много каких-то кантри-альбомов. Я оценил Will The Circle Be Unbroken выше остальных, хотя бы потому что это был интересный исторический прецедент, ну и некоторые песни действительно знаковые и легендарные, которые знаю даже я, чел которому пихуй на жанр. А зачем здесь I’m a Lonesome Fugitive ? Не знаю. Я устал от кантри, помогите...

4/5

3.5. I love classic country and I love Merle. These songs are all great, I just know there are better overall records of his out there.

Yes I listened to this but it was an insta 4+ stars, let’s be real

album is awesome but if there's no townes van zandt albums on this list i may end my life

Thank God that's over.

I'm not really a fan of country music. This was okay, but it didn't change my opinion of the genre much.

Nice country song! ;)

When Hag passes on To the great unknown They'll find written on the front Of his headstone "Here lies a man Who had a hell-of-a-band And who would never had made it alone."

gives you the feeling of being on a road trip anywhere you are, i was on the way to Budapest

Good ol classic country.

achy breaky country

Loved this. I might even come back and give it a 5 later. For now it's a 4.5 falling to a 4, just because I'm not always in the mood for classic country - but when I am, this would be an excellent spin.

This is almost parody-levels of country. Songs about Cadillacs, how women have “done me wrong” all packaged up in the classic Southern country vocals and slide guitars. This album is a classic example of what I mean when I tell people I don’t like country. Couple of bluesier tracks are ok.

#933. Back before the ultra-commercialization of country music where all they sing about is cold beer and trucks, you had this kind of country. Where all they sing about is prison, trains, and sadness. And that's uh... better, I think. 4/5: good

Some country. Maybe slightly edgier/better than other country, but......

Вкусненько

99 okies from Muscogee agree, this is a good album

Country sucks, but beyond that I have a hard time buying Haggard's "outlaw" persona with as deep of folk influence as this album has. I just keep picturing folk hippies trying to act tough and it doesn't work.

Not really with this but didn’t hate

듣기 좋은 컨츄리

I'm not a country family that was a pleasant bike ride to work

I have heard enough country to last me a life time

★★½

Not bad, but it felt like the same song for 30 minutes.

In a nutshell: it's a hard knock life... It's earnest and explores the various moments Merle is confined or dejected in life. Not just as a former inmate, but a scorned love and as a guy trying to integrate himself in the world again. I know jack shit about country music. What I do know is that one has to acknowledge the roots of a genre or sub genre. For the Bakersfield sound- country music fostered California- the 1001 Albums and 1001 Songs books (well in the editions I have anyway) are missing the guy who pioneered the genre in the first place- Wynn Stewart. Buck Owens and Merle Haggard are the predecessors. Household names. I'd recommend Marty Robbins or Buck Owens over Merle Haggard as an entry point to be honest. I can see how this album is important and a next step though. Overall: 3/10

Even though I'm not lonesome, and not a fugitive, I can't help, but think this album is awful. Favorite Track: "If You Want To Be My Woman".

good country album with very american taste of music

Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop. The forlorn Merle sings about how she done him wrong in every song. Cept Mary (and she’s likely to die on him any day.) Pretty sure I coulda made it through life without hearing Lonely Fugitive, but OK - I don’t want my half hour back. (1.3*s) Still just not that into country.

Merle the Haggard...sounds like a character from some fantasy novel. Music doesn't though. Some throwback country although 1967 is not that long ago. I'll actually take this over the newer pop-country garbage. This at least has some roots and the ramblin' adventures of a cowboy hitchin' trains and boozin'. For such a tough guy though, his heart is susceptible to a woman's games. Not sure why this album stands out and makes the list and don't need more...1.23 stars.

A little more upbeat than I expected from some 1960's country but its still firmly in the wheelhouse of the genre. I'm not a country fan by any means but this wasn't slog to get through. Just some run of the mill jaunty country tunes from an apparent ex-con. I'm sure this was influential to the early county fans but it does little for me 60 years later. Put it in the realm of everything else that came from this genre and era for me. 1.58 stars

Fun

In this house, we like two kinds of music... Country and Western, and this album is the real deal. It's pure Bakersfield Sound, with the kind of honesty you just don't get in the shitty pop country these days. The steel guitar is amazing, and Merle's voice? It's like a warm hug from a 1967 Ford truck AM radio. The stories are great, too, with themes of prison, heartbreak, and life on the run. Even without the big hits, every song feels essential. It's a quick 30 minute lesson in Americana that shows why Merle Haggard is a legend. If you want some good, old-fashioned country to listen to and think about life, this is it.

Not bad but a bit bland for me

I don't hate country, but its just a bit boring ain't it? This was no difference, it sounded like every other country song.

Even though I’m not a fan of the genre, I have found some Country albums throughout this that I have really enjoyed. This is not one of them. I did really like the track If You Want To Be My Woman. Unfortunately I absolutely hated everything else about it.

As USA country as they come

3.5

Some solid, toe-tapping country from a real deal. Imagine being in San Quentin when Johnny Cash performed and deciding, "You know what? I wanna do that," and then doing it.

Didn’t like this as much as I hoped

I wasn't looking forward to listening to this because I loathe country music. I can recognize that Haggard is very good at what he's doing, but what he's doing does absolutely nothing for me. On the plus side, the songs are mercifully short. I generally like storytelling in lyrics, and this is something that Haggard is doing in just about every song. I did enjoy the mismatch between the bright music and dark lyrics on "Life In Prison" where he's singing about hoping to die to cheery instrumentation. Even with all that, I did start singing along with "Someone Told My Story," so some of it is catchy.

This was great, and unexpected. I love this era of country!!

Another country album… not terrible though.

A totally fine classic country album. Competent and well-produced, but also slight and underwhelming. Lacks the gravitas of its contemporaries. Haggard has a pleasant, warbly voice, but lots of country singers have that same pleasant, warbly voice. (I did enjoy the harmonies across the album.) I’d be happy hearing this in a bar or at a county fair, but I won’t be throwing this on again for my own recreation.

country, aliviantemente não sendo as merdas que enfia elemento eletrônico tipo beat e autotune e fica uma bosta completa esse tipo de country "minimalista cordas voz" acalma, é bem foda e se tirar a noção de que essa música é apropriada por estadunidense trumpista retardado ela melhora 6/10 / 3/5 por n ser meu estilo

It's pretty generic sounding country music.

i love whiney depressing old country this shit rocks

A few of the slower songs were not good, but mostly this was good old country. 3.0/5.0: Good

a buddy of mine opened for merle once and merle bit his fingers off. aside from that the album is great

Another outlaw? This one's okay, I guess

I like country normally, but I like more protest country, stick it to the man country. This was "poor miserable me and poor miserable you" for 31 minutes.

Oh you poor broke mixed up mess of a heart... Very melodramatic album, and I found myself being grateful it was only 31 minutes long. I've heard better country. That being said, the people who rate this album a 1 just because it's country are lame.

There's no way he was a criminal… oh wait. Cringeworthy country but I am not saying that to his face even if he is dead.

I really have no idea if this is good for country music or not. I enjoyed it, but not enough to seek out more Merle.

I just picture Hank Hill listening to this when I hear it. That’s not a bad thing

Why is this here. Just generic country.

*Cries about country music, gives Limp Bizkit a 5. Fuckin teens man. Also, while I'm reviewing reviews: 'Okie from Muskokie' is not jingoistic. Amazing that you know that word but have zero grasp of subtly or irony. Old mate probably holds that belief whilst concurrently being that reddit guy who blows up when people mistakenly treat 'Born in the USA' as patriotic. Fuck, I'm the reddit guy now. Didn't mean to get this riled about a middling Merle album but this list is boring me and I've had 5 beers, here's the real review: Some good Merles on here. Not sure it's his best but I'm no expert.

I listened to this album twice, so I tip my hat for being the first album that made me do that. I am not hugely a country fan, but my partner is, so after listening to it all the way through I put it on whilst spending time with her, given it sounded enough like artists she often listens to like Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, and their ilk, to get a more informed opinion. The album's short enough it can be listened to twice after all. The verdict came back as it being liked, though lacking some of the story-telling the previously named artists achieved. So it certainly could be worse. For my own two shiny nickels, exposure to country through said partner has certainly softened my opinion on it, and I liked it well enough too. Perfectly standard country, with some lyricism and tunes I enjoyed in the moment, but have no real desire to return to regularly.

Merle’s velvety raspy voice and slide guitar?! That’s 4 stars all day.

My Uncle Terry was 5’1”, had one leg 3 inches shorter than the other, had crones disease, and (according to my Dad) would beat the shit out of anyone who made fun of him about any of this (which was often, again according to my Dad). He had big strong hands and shoveled concrete most of his life and beat a painkiller addiction with sheer willpower (and coors lights). Anyway, he loved Merle Haggard and it made me want to love Merle Haggard too. Unfortunately I was a little bored by this album, sorry Uncle Terry.

3.8 This cant be the perfect country & western album because he hadn't said anything at all about mama. I guess he did have trains, trucks, prison, and getting' drunk, thats worth a 4 star in my books

“sir” “ma’am”

I like the reviews of this where people talk about how their grandparents or parents liked this. That wasn’t my experience, though I remember we did have a tape of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard’s Pancho and Lefty, so I suppose this music touched my childhood to an extent too. It’s not really my thing, but it’s a good listen. I particularly enjoyed it when he kicks up the tempo a little bit on songs like “If You Wanna Be My Woman”. This is one of those albums for me that I prefer on in the background over it being an active listen, and I don’t mean that as a criticism. Sometimes you want something to accompany you during your day and this one does that just fine.

Good for Roadtrips but i couldnt listen for very long. There are a few way better songs and albums from him in my opinion.

This is definitely one of Merle’s best records, though once again, I think a collection would have been a more suitable selection. Down Every Road is an incredible box set, and probably not longer than Ella’s Gershwin record. Anyway, some great tracks here, most notably Drink Up and Be Somebody and the title track. There's also some creamy relics of the past, like If You Want To Be My Woman. Ick.

++: I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, All of Me Belongs to You, Whatever Happened to Me, If You Want to Be My Woman, Skid Row, My Rough and Rowdy Ways, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart +: Life in Prison, Drink Up and Be Somebody, Someone Told My Story +-: House of Memories, Mary's Mine 7,6/10

This was a great listen! I’m not a huge listener of country music but the old stuff sounds the best to me. Like gangsta rap music, the outlaw, fugitive, on-the-run thing, doesn’t mean much to me but makes for great fantasy. The thing that really rwaonates though are the love songs including the broken hearted kind. Now that I can relate to! The clincher though is that Merle Haggard has a great voice! The tone of his voice as well as how he enunciates and sings his words sound so damn musical! I have heard his music before and it just came and went but this one finally clicked with me. I hope I have some time left in my life to dive into the rest of his vast discography!

"It gets longer in between each time you call me" If I was going for the cheap laugh I'd make a penis joke about that line, but I think he means the time between phone calls. Plenty of heartbreak, men a-doin' what a man's gotta do and jail time. Even, in If You Want to be my Woman, a bit a sexual coercion that really hasn't aged well. "Mary's mine" brings a bit of happiness, about a man who was living a life without meaning, but who found a reason for carrying on in the love a true hearted girl gave him. But the next song is about a man whose girl left him and now he's om skid row, so maybe Mary wasn't so true after all. Then Jimmy Rogers song about a man who found a good woman but can't give up his rough and rowdy ways. Then a song about a man who had his mixed up mess of a heart torn apart by a little bitty woman. This guy really has some problems with his attitude to the ladies. Seriously, it's probably A grade, old style country, but I admit I find myself listening to it as a sort of camp kitsch. So let's give it a three and move on

Honky Tonk

Twangy, old country feel

Old school cuntry bangers

lowkey bissi hayday musik aber gut gut.. glaub 4 sterne, weil sehr angenehm zum hören

I fail to find something new and interesting within this that I haven't heard at least half a dozen times before on the list. I think I have country music fatigue, because whilst this is by no means a bad album, I have no desire to listen to it again.

rootin an tootins :)

pretty relaxing

This is a very nice country RnR album with a south accent lovely if you re for it

Pickin', strummin', knee slappin' and moonshine juggin'

2,6 Highlights: If You Want to Be My Woman, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart

Howdy partner

How the hell did I end up with a streak of so many Country albums in a row? You're lucky I like old country more than old folk music... 3 Stars because they really all sound the same at this point (and may your truck break down just for the hell of it).

Solid little country songs, but the lyrics aren't as fleshed out as his later albums

Quite a pretty album! Standout is maybe all of me belongs to you, it’s a pretty consistent listen throughout.

Nein.

Not good, not bad. Weckt ein wenig nostalgische Gefühle.

Mir zu altbacken.

Perfectly enjoyable classic country music. Nothing too mind blowing here. Really good vocal performances. Favorites were the title track, Drink Up And Be Somebody, Skid Row, and Mixed Up Mess Of A Heart.

High scoring on the ‘would the residents of the town in Tremors listen to this’ scale. Quite low scoring on the ‘rate the album based on your taste’ scale.

This stuff works for me. Fun to listen to and quick.

Traditional country music.

Classic Bakersfield sound. The band soudns great, especially on "If You Want to Be My Woman". In that song we hear country music incorporating the rockabilly and blues that rock and roll merged it with to great result. Some of the other tracks were a bit more boring and replaceable, but this is a solid album.

Just delightful

It was mega garbage I can’t stand country and this is bad.

Dope

I like this. Country is too slow

Great classic country album! Love merle haggard!

This was nice, not really my style but pleasant listening

prison is sad, drinking is fun

A fantastic outlaw country record, honestly a great intro to the genre too

Not a big country fan but this is pretty nice and chill. Feels very authentic

meh

Never heard of album or band. Don’t really have an expectations. Lonesome fugitive is a good song. Well written, simple but effective background track. Wis it didn’t end so abruptly. All of me is classic 60s country. Another fun song. House of memories is fine. Nothing special. Good songwriting and guitar on life in prison. Catchy chorus. Cool piano on whatever happens, rest of it is too slow for me. I like drink up and be somebody. Really fun song. Cool guitar on somebody told my story. Good songwriting on this one again. If you want to be my woman is fire. Great solo, great piano. Markys mine is just ok. I like the piano, rest of it just doesn’t hit for whatever reason. Back in track with skid row. Merle is spitting on this one. Rough and rowdy is pretty good, nothing special. Cool solo, too short tho. Love the piano solo on messed up heart. Another fun song. Abrupt ending honestly. Was hoping/expecting it to keep going. Overall, really fun album. Beat my expectations. It’s crazy how much more I enjoy old country compared to the new stuff. Probably won’t listen again, but that was a fun 30 mins. 3.4 stars.

I have mixed feelings about Country music that can be summarised by: Johnny Cash = Good/Dixie Chicks = Bad. This album was definitely leading over to the good side, despite the twang in his lovely voice. I wouldn’t buy it though so 3 stars is suitable.

Pretty solid record. Merle’s voice is great, the guitar work is fun, and the songs are enjoyable. I don’t think it’s something that I NEED to listen to again anytime soon, but I liked this record a good deal. 7/10