Guitar Town

I like him as a person but this album isn’t my taste

For fuck's sake... There's an actual track called 'Hillbilly Highway'. God, I hate this genre. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ in part Revisit ❌️ ★☆☆☆☆(2/10) Total reviewed : 447 Already owned : 99 Purchased : 25 To buy : 1 Nope : 322

The worst sort of dreary American folky country music.

Buen country, no se que año será pero parece country noventero

I only really knew Earle from being in The Wire and from being an outspoken progressive voice on a number of social issues (hence being in The Wire). I appreciate the man but the music didn’t do much for me.

From what I’ve read about him, he seems like a good bloke, but not great music in a genre style I have zero fondness for.

It’s buns. Country music is buns.

As I’ve discovered through this task I like old country.

не люблю кантри, для 86го особенно скучно - 2.5

Hate to admit that the title track is kinda good. But it ends after three minutes and the rest of the album is a weight on my day

Listened before? No Familiar with the artist? Yes Thoughts: - A totally pleasant album to listen to, but I don't have much to say about it... - I'm not a big country fan, but I do love the sound of steel guitar, so points for that! Favorite track(s): Guitar Town

A fun album to listen to. It stays light and sits comfortably in a classic country style without trying too hard. Everything is at a decent level, but it still carries a bit of real soul that keeps it from feeling flat. Earle’s voice has a natural, lived-in quality that fits the songs perfectly. The writing is straightforward and the band plays with a clean, steady energy. Nothing here is overly polished or complicated. It just moves along with an easy confidence and a clear sense of place. The country foundation is solid, and the small touches of heart in the performances make the whole record feel warmer than it first appears. The production is simple and effective. Guitars, drums and vocals sit in a clear, uncluttered mix that lets the songs breathe. It sounds honest rather than expensive. Guitar Town is an easy, enjoyable listen. Light, well made, and quietly full of character.

I went into this album knowing that I've always loved "Copperhead Road," but I had never really explored much of Steve Earle's music. What a pleasant surprise this turned out to be! The title track grabbed me immediately, and the album got off to a fantastic start. "Goodbye's All We've Got Left" reminded me a little of Elvis Costello, while "Hillbilly Highway" and "My Old Friend the Blues" had a sound that reminded me of Garth Brooks. I also heard a little Tom Petty influence along the way. This album really brought me back to my country music phase, which lasted from the mid-'90s through the early 2010s. I love the combination of country storytelling and rock influences, and Steve Earle does that extremely well. The first six songs were so good that I was seriously considering giving this album five stars. Unfortunately, the next three songs were just okay. None were bad, but they didn't grab me the way the earlier tracks did. Fortunately, "Down the Road" picked things back up and ended the album on a high note. Overall, this was a great discovery and another example of why I love this project. Sometimes it's not about discovering an artist you've never heard of, but finally taking the time to explore someone whose music you've overlooked. Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vinyl Verdict: No Buy I really enjoyed this album, but there were just enough average songs to keep it out of my vinyl collection. I'm definitely interested in exploring more of Steve Earle's music!

Country music is so insufferable.

5/10 Never a 3 star, but that seems to be where my reading system has ended up. It's not unlistenable, but I certainly don't enjoy it. So, so country. Thought I was going to like it more as I'm not against country as a concept, but this is just to saccharine. But still, 3 stars!

Bonus points for being in The Wire. This isn’t really my jam but there are some genuine moments here. RYM: N Saved a song: N

It feels like I preface a lot of country reactions with "this isn't my taste in genre but ..." and after that is some appreciation for the project that ends with "not for me." This time is a little different. I'm not a country fan, but I respect musicianship and songwriting. This album has some bangers beginning with the title track. Often vocals with southern accents don't work for me at all but with Steve, I appreciated the accent. His voice gave the album some spunk. This is my favorite new-to-me country album so far in this project.

Utterly forgettable country cheese

Feels like the music they outlawed in Footloose. Not for me.

Ow, my friggin ears

Feels pretty approachable for country being a 'no-go' genre for most folks.

I can't help it but every time I hear this style of country (it probably has a name; heavy accent, borderline yodeling, lyrics about the road and babes, etc.) I wonder whether it's a parody or not. I realise this isn't although it's rather cliché. I also can't see how this was innovative in the 90s. Therefore, a harsh 2* even though I can see that this is well done if it's your cup of tea. It's still only a cup a tea though.

nope

Funny story - I saw Steve Earle live when he came to Glasgow open air summer sessions and was super confused when I saw him, and realised I had mistaken him for Seasick Steve. Still, it was a good gig. Ultimately this isn't my kind of music, which is a shame because it's wonderfully made. Excellent artistry. Just not my taste.

Sounded like a lot of country songs which might be unfair to the genre, but still not my cup of tea.

Plucky country that doesn't take itself too seriously. I like the guitar sounds here.

Wow! Never before have I realized an album sucks from th very first line. Impressive.

Man I wrote this up earlier but I’ve admired Steve Earle as a man for awhile but never really listened to his music and turns out I don’t need to if this is representative. Now I’m not saying it’s bad, mind you, but it is certainly not for me. Some pretty, yearning ballads; some Bruce Springsteen via country music rockers; some songs that sound like the soundtrack to the movie roadhouse. Noting o fully endorse from the standpoint of my own personal taste. I would imagine in his catalog that there is a collection of ten or fifteen songs that I might really like so if you happen to read this and you’re a SE fan, send me a playlist.

Pretty cool, nice modern country and he’s got a great voice. Plus shout out for always having the back of my man Bubs, he’s good people.

I can't imagine there's any version of "honky tonk" that any person, ever, needs to hear before they die. 1/5

mid

I felt like this album started out promising, but the third song took a hard turn into cheesy country music territory which it never left.

I’m sure there are country records that do more interesting things and would have been better picks, why this one? 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Title Track, Fearless Heart

I like country but haven't heard any of this. Predates my country intro by 7-8 years. This is not bad yet I'm not really impressed enough to plan a return.

Perfectly competent album of music that doesn't do anything for me. First few songs are the best, short and punchy, but then it settles into bog standard modern country.

Not sure if it counts as country music, or that Southern Rock like zz top. There was a fair amount of twang in the guitar, and a few lines about his truck. Good singer/song writer; could appreciate the sound even if I want getting into it much

Funda

His name is Earle

i really really like steve earle... he kicks so much ass

Finely produced and well-sung, but it’s too drippy and shiny for me. Not the kind of country music that gets me going. Certainly representative of a certain country style from this time, for what that’s worth.

It’s ok. Definitely dated.

Idgaf this was so good

Good to make an old country playlist off of

Love Steve Earle, and this is a great album. Not my #1, but a regular in my rotation. I like his voice now… he’s got the sand! Try Ghosts of West Virginia to get the latest flavor. Hope he lasts forever.

It's good to be exposed to more country, a genre I really don't know. This album is slightly twangy but not overly so. Decent listen.

There is something so middle-of-the-road about this album that I already sort of forget it, despite having just finished it. Tempted to go 2, but there is nothing bad about it, and at least Earle doesn’t appear on this list a million times.

There are moments when this almost gives Bruce Springsteen vibes - or Ryan Adams in it's rock/country feel. But little of it is all that catchy, and a few songs skew solidly 80s and are just dated (Good O'l Boy). Not bad, but nothing I'll come back to.

Wait, where's Copperhead Road? I want me some Copperhead Road... this is some Bullshit! Hey Steve, I like your son's music more. But for 80's country it's pretty good. 3.5 Stars.

A really enjoyable album. It employs that style of country that I really like when it's a little 'rockified', but still stays true to country roots. There's only a time or two when some of the flourishes from the 80s are apparent, but even then, they don't detract too much from the sound. I can totally see this being an influence for the alt.country sound.

It’s pretty ok. Not offensively bad.

Actually pretty decent.

Still annoyed by how shitty his version of the Wire theme song is.

Like this music, but need to delve deeper into the songwriting

Seems like this might be a foundational text for much of modern country music, except this is real blue collar material and the lyrics weren’t written by AI and filtered through a focus group. This is good, might be very good? A 3 for now; might become a 4 after a second listen.

Enjoyed it

Albums have been so good recently im kinda relieved to get a super mediocre album. I can actually keep listening to the albums I’ve discovered recently through this instead of adding another to the list. So thank you Guitar Town, for being meh.

Another country album that I would consider acceptable at the very least. There’s some pleasant, well written songs here. Favorite track: Guitar Town

I didn’t enjoy this at all. Guy’s voice is all over the place. 2/10

Pretty fun and danceable country album. Reminded me of that one Key and Peele sketch

man its like some kind of Guitar Town in here...

a country album that is listenable to a rock fan.

Oh great, more corny, twangy, drawly 80s country about home towns and honky tonk shite. If you've heard one, you've heard em all. Inoffensive, generic, boring list filler. Being forced to listen to country music is like being forced to watch a school play when your kid has no lines. It's all a very unconvincing act. Get your big hat and boots, put awn the voice, sing about yer grandaddy n a dirt road and watch as obese gun-toting morons make you richer than god.

Similar style to John Cougar and a mellow Bruce. turns the knob up on country. Guitar is great, but the rest of the band is weak.

sappy

Meh.

Kinda wild this was a Nashville MCA record, nowadays it would *maybe* end up a self-released venture that goes wide after a few years. And it was already a throwback in 1986! This is pretty good and Earle confidently moves between heartland rock (before that was a term) working class laments to mournful heartbreak without losing any of his essential qualities as a singer. It’s ultimately not my bag, but I wish I had been more aware of this at a younger age since I was definitely listening to the radio and watching MTV a whole bunch in 1986 and never knew about Steve Earle until Stephin Merritt referenced him on 69 Love Songs. Also the bridge on Good Ol’ Boy quoting Joe Jackson was a real WTF? moment.

yeehaw

no

This is a classic, and Steve Earle is a treasure. The album deserves to be here, but so do several dozen other country albums that aren’t here. This isn’t even Steve Earle’s best album! It just took us by the throat as an introduction to him.

Nice

Just not for me.

Pretty classic.

Good country style album

Oh God Why

Dear God please make it stop

perfectly acceptable no-frills country album. Steve will grow as an artist though, and I hope some of his later albums will show up eventually. 3/5.

2.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/steve-earle/guitar-town/ Meh, doesn't do much for me. Some nice americana songs here and there, but overall not my genre.

Country, mal nicht weichgespült. Klasse Album!

It was a fun country rock album that had yacht rock vibes somehow? It was foot tapping music

It was fine. Some good old fashioned pre-9/11 country.

We all have bad days at work. Today’s was the person who picked this for 1001 albums to listen to before you die.

Thought this was butts

Steve Earle took country music and added a bit of Heartland Rock to it. Instead of the cowboy motifs he made it a blue collar, factory worker version with inspiration from Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger. Great album.

If this was the only country music I knew, I also wouldn’t really like it

Not too bad as far as country albums go

In what world is this essential? I'll admit that Steve Earle occasionally sounds vaguely like Bruce Springsteen, but it's mostly contemporary country garbage. I was embarrassed to be listening to this.

Solid, country.

I was surprised I liked this one!

Good oul boys, hillbillys and moonshine yeee harrrrr. I liked this more than I thought it's twangy and catchy. A bit clichéd but nothing offensive a good foot tapper.

No fav song

Really good record, this.

Steve Earle has a nice voice and a good band with him, and I’m not averse to the pitch of heartland rock but make it really country, but it does feel a lot like a kid putting on his parents’ clothes and playing at being an adult. He’s not got the lyrical chops of a Springsteen, and the arrangements aren’t really interesting enough to make something of it on that side. It works out fine, it’s enjoyable enough as a listen one time, but I don’t think there’s much to really rush back to and mull over.

I went to guitar town. And saw a guitar. Pretty sweet. Lots of great songs

A good 80s country album. Still not something I come back to often, but this is much better than alot of country I've listened to.

Guitar town's population certainly does not include me. ★★

A little too country

I have very few exceptions for listening to and enjoying country music. Steve Earle unfortunately didn’t make that cut.

Pretty uninteresting. It’s a rockier stereotypical country sound for the most part, and although this means it wasn’t an awful listen nothing stuck with me.

Like a more country and not as good version of Bruce Springsteen. It’s incredibly corny too, with the inherent corniness of country music (twangy guitars, steel guitars, drawled vocals and very cliched lyrics) boosted by the added corniness of 80s pop production (reverb-heavy drums, some very out-of-place electric pianos/synths). That said, it was perfectly pleasant stuff and reasonably enjoyable in the moment. I doubt whether any of the songs have any real sticking power, however. The more upbeat songs were better than the more ballad-type tracks, though. It’s just about good enough for (a slightly generous) low 3 stars.

What the fuck is this? Is this a fucking joke? The most derivative, MAGA chud lovin’ country and western shite that gets hardcore republican. Fox News viewers rock hard. 1/5