Guitar Town

I thought it was generic country, and a bit of a Springsteen derivative. Then I thought I shouldn’t compare every 80s American male singer/songwriter to Springsteen. Then I got to the Springsteen cover.

I didn’t know this artist. Did not know what to expect and then heard the first 30 seconds and thought “oh this is very country.” Country’s not my thing, but it wasn’t too bad. Some tracks I would rate 2, some 3s. Averages out to an overall 2 for me.

This is the most generic country rock album I’ve ever heard

I don't like it at all. All by the book, no emotion whatsoever. Favorite song: my old friend the blues, but I don't like that one very much either.

This is probably good for country - but I just really don't love country

Only connect with some of the soul put on display here. Didn’t like it too much

I don't have an ear for country. I like blues, I like folk to an extent. But not country. This album did not change my position. In fact, My Old Friend the Blues, when compared to the Proclaimers' remake of it, sucks donkey bal...[user edited for questionable moral character]

Pretty solidly mediocre. Nothing to despise. Not much to like. A couple catchy bits, mostly where he sounds like Springsteen. Definitely not enough to make me like country music.

Every song made me think of "Copperhead Road." So it was very meh.

Didn’t hate it

With a name like Guitar Town I really expected some more impressive guitar-based material. This is false advertising. It’s just not my style of country. I don’t love his voice, and the backing band does little more than exist. It sounds excellent, very well-produced, but at a certain point it becomes too polished.

Cool, thanks for coming by

This album feels like it’s the background music the live band is playing at the honky tonk while youre more focused on getting the girl with the ruby red lips blonde hair blue eyes and are about to bid your heart goodbye. Pretty boring and forgettable. But thank u Mr Earle for giving us copperhead road.

Didn’t mind it, but wasn’t super into it. I liked the part about his “…brother going to college to play football, but I didn’t get to go cause I’m a little bit small.” In general fairly neutral album.

Maybe my ignorance is showing because I’m not a huge country music fan, but I really don’t see the influence here. It’s mostly unremarkable 80s country for me.

I was hoping to like this more. I often like the better country albums I get exposed to. This one didn't do it for me. Just seemed boring/generic country pop. Formulaic structure, standard tropes, meh instrumentation, all polish no substance.

Just when thought I started getting into country, I got this and didn’t like it at all. I’m not even sure what I don’t like about it. It just feels really bland and uninteresting. Still I didn’t hate it and liked some aspects- especially the steel guitar. I added Fearless Heart to my playlist for its great solos. 2/5

Sleeper, uninspired, and innocuous if you could condense it all into one album. I really tried vibing with this but it was all in vain. There really isn't much to say about this other than I wish it was better and it wasn't so corny at times. Top 1: Guitar Town Not sure I'd call the rest of it bad but it was definitely mid. 2.50/5

I don't like country. It's all the same. This sounds ok but it still is country.

Depending on your location, the inbreeding of Country and 80's music made for either the best or worst of times.

The vague misremembered bits in the back of mind had framed Steve Earle as a country rock guitar icon. But maybe I had him mixed up with someone else. There are some decent guitars on “Guitar Town,” but not enough to devote an entire municipality to. Past that, Earle delivers some pretty generic country songwriting and vocals, which are not typically my thing. Maybe Earle was the one who made it generic. Not sure if that would deserve more credit or less.

This album isn't bad, but it doesn't stand out as exceptional either. It feels very mediocre and middle-of-the-road, falling short of being worthy of a "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" list. I'm not the biggest fan of country music, so perhaps I'm not the best person to fully appreciate it, but I can confidently say I won't be revisiting this one.

01) Guitar Town - 6,0 02) Goodbye's All We've Got Left - 5,5 03) Hillbilly Highway - 5,5 04) Good Ol' Boy (Gettin' Tough) - 5,0 05) My Old Friend the Blues - 5,0 06) Someday - 5,0 07) Think It Over - 4,5 08) Fearless Heart - 5,5 09) Little Rock 'n' Roller - 5,0 10) Down the Road - 5,0 TOTAL: 5,20 (52/100) Current ranking: 331/363 Listening to this album is the equivalent of watching paint dry on a wall. I'd rather listen to Shania Twain, at least she's entertaining. Speaking of Shania, we can evaluate this album in her words: That don't impress me much!

Got too twangy for me

A little corny and certainly follows the tropes and stereotypical themes most people associate with country music. The dude is a good singer and the record itself isn’t bad, it just feels a little… generic. Like, if A.I. was asked to write lyrics for a country album, you’d likely end up with something like this. Again, not a bad album, it just doesn’t feel unique or blow me away enough to be on this list. Favorite track: Fearless Heart

too country & western for me, couldn't get into it

It's not the worst but it's not really my cup of beer. A couple of reviews here used the word "cornball" and I think that's pretty accurate. Sorry to say that I don't think the intervening years have been very kind to the good ol' boys.

Maso

This is just all kinda the same, but not in a good way. It's just generic country. The music video for 'Someday' is good but the song is just okay. Steve Earle is pretty hot.

I enjoyed a couple of tracks (guitar town was a good start) but not much after that. It’s a style that just doesn’t do anything for me.

Some of the most generic country I have ever heard. Sounds like wanna-be Springsteen. I'll be honest, I completely zoned out during the last 5 songs, but if I remember correctly they all sounded exactly the same. Low 2.

Fine whatever

Ah, creating the stereotypes. It's good, but it tired me out. I guess I find it too safe Between 2 and 3 stars for me

Wasn't a fan. Seemed to teeter on the brink of parody at times, and felt much longer than 34 minutes. A couple of decent songs though.

dont care for country, skimmed and skipped

🥸

Country rock is a huge hit-and-miss. If they're playing it safe, it's a near guarantee of a miss.

it’s a 2

Pre-listening thoughts: absolutely loving this run of short albums we’ve gotten for the past few days. This is country??? Crazy, I don’t think we’ve gotten any country in like 80 albums thus far. Post/during listening thoughts: it’s like objectively okay country but man I am not a big country fan. I like some country by women but as soon as it’s a man singing it I’m super disinterested. I love fitting lesbian stereotypes lol 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope Fav tracks: ??? Least fav tracks: Good Ol Boy (Getting Tough)

This was ok but not something I’d want to listen to again.

no me interesa lo siento 5.5/10

Not very interesting country stuff. Some songs were mildly catchy

Not for me

pretty crap 2 stars

Started ok, but turned into too much country

So generic, so perfectly 80s, that I feel anyone slightly a fan of country from this era must love this. Unfortunately, I am not, and this sounds grating, and I feel like even ten minutes more would've pushed it over the edge for me. However, this album isn't offensive enough to warrant it, and instead I'm just left feeling like these are the same thoughts I have coming away from every country album from this time. I've just hesrd enough of it now to be used to it. Not sure if that's a positive or not.

Just really not my thing, and a few of the songs were real skippers for me (but I didn't skip!)

questa selezione e' troppo americanocentrica

Hardly a good voice and the rest of it, lyrics and instrumentals, well... they were there. At best a band you'd hear playing at a bar somewhere in Oklahoma or something like that. Hardly any country on this list and surprised that this one snuck in. 4/10.

Country. Not really my favorite genre but not offensive.

Decent enough country.

No no no no. Got as far as Hillbilly Highway. That voice sounds like someone trying to dona parody of country to show how annoying it can be. How is that an actual voice. Just stop it. 2* as without the stupid accent it would actually be not terrible music wise. Starting to understand how Americans feel when they hear drill or Lily Allen or something.

no thank you

First listen. Ok

Sorry but no. This sounds like true contry to me but what do I know. Not 'difficult' to listen to but not that fun either. Production is good, his best song is not on this album but it's pretty cringe

I'd hesitate to give this 1 star because it's not absolutely terrible, it's just completely not my thing and very very boring. A very generous 2 stars.

If you like country, you like this. I don't.

This missing link between modern country and 60s country

When I was 13 someone told be I like like Steve Earle. Now over 25 years later I finally know what he sounds like. Not entirely terrible. I like some of the guitar sounds.

Interesting start to modern country. Unfortunately I do not care for most modern country.

Country has never been my jam, but this seems very current to modern country for 1986. So.

Forget it Steve Earle, it’s Guitar Town. I can’t believe Americans genuinely listen to this and this isn’t just pretend music you play pretend American with. It can count itself lucky it doesn’t get a 1.

I thought these songs were very basic, nothing grabbed my attention but country is not my thing--even though this falls on the rock side mostly.

I'm not a big fan of country music and this album did nothing to change that

So close to a 1* here.

Very very not for me. 1.5

Gosh this is lame. This might be the quintessential lame country music. For that I give it a second star. There was a song I thought was alright on the backside. Overall boring and bad.

If Tom Petty sucked at writing songs and Bruce Springsteen didn’t suck at performing them it would be this guy. I really don’t like this era of country music at all and this is no exception. Trucks, the ridiculous Texas accent, my pretty baby, the good old boys, granddaddy, highway, my git-tar, this shit sucks. One extra star for not being out of tune and proficient lap guitar playing. Everything else is bad.

It's fine. I wouldn't say this has cultural relevance since I've never heard of him. I'll never listen to it again.

- War leider nicht so meins. Bissl zu kitschig und etwas zu viel Country, zu viel generischer Rock - Mag seine Stimmung leider auch nicht ganz so gerne. - Das ganze Album ist irgendwie ein bisschen unspektakulär an mir vorbei gegangen. 2/5

Country, 1986 -> 2

Ei tämä kasaricountry kyllä edelleenkään nappaa! 2/5

I’m not too versed in country, but this sounded like pretty standard fare. I don’t entirely understand its inclusion.

Not sure if I’d classify this as a country album, it gives me more Bruce and Zach Bryan overdone Americana vibes. Nothing offensive that made me want to turn it off, I really enjoyed Good Ol Boy and Hillbilly Highway. It feels criminal listening to anything other than 70’s “country” on here though

Easy Listening. I can't hate it. It isnt like the best country music ever but it started alt- country. This is essentially liberal country which is so cool to me. I think some of the songs are corny and I've heard these same melodies many different times, but I like it. I don't think it is a 3. I think I would leave this as a 2 cause it has good songs even if they a little forgettable and Think it over has a surf rock riff which works really well

This album isn't bad, but it doesn't stand out as exceptional either. It feels very mediocre and middle-of-the-road, falling short of being worthy of a "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" list. I'm not the biggest fan of country music, so perhaps I'm not the best person to fully appreciate it, but I can confidently say I won't be revisiting this one.

Another dull country album that just did absolutely nothing for me

80s country. 'nuff said.

nothing interesting for me

An ok country album with meh vocals.

Not for me.

Not really my thing, but sure

No stand-outs for me on this, although I've heard and enjoyed a little of his later album El Corazon. 3 out of 10.

Not too terrible for country. Would I listen again? Probably not.

Not a big country music fan. Some of this was barely ok but I wouldn't want to listen to it again.

"Guitar Town" by Steve Earle is a country music gem that marked his debut album in 1986. This record is a vibrant blend of traditional country sounds with a modern edge, reflecting Earle's songwriting prowess and musical depth. The title track, "Guitar Town," sets the tone with its lively tempo and Earle's gritty vocals, showcasing his storytelling skills. Tracks like "Goodbye's All We've Got Left" and "Someday" exhibit Earle's ability to convey emotion and narrative through his lyrics. What makes "Guitar Town" stand out is its authenticity. Earle's genuine love for country music shines through, and the album feels like a heartfelt tribute to the genre. Overall, "Guitar Town" is a timeless classic that remains a cornerstone of Steve Earle's career and essential listening for country music fans.

Steve Earle lays it on a bit thick. From his appearance, you expect something with a bit more substance (his own life is quite interesting) but this is a bit too generic. Nice voice, but dreary songs. I liked Little Rock 'n' Roller.

Old country, lots of twang, quick songs. Not something I’m much a fan of but I get the appeal. 2.4

Boring country pop-rock

The 80s synthy production of this bro-alt-neo-trad-honky-tonk thing makes it feel kind of cringy and outdated. A few not-so-bad songs tho, I guess.

Steve Earle does country that's a bit more energetic and accessible to rock and pop fans. It's still very cheesy and feel-good background music with the standard 80s pop production, but you can see how it can pull in fans of Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles. It doesn't innovate much or create outstanding hits, but it does offer a form of easy-listening alt country that a lot of people could sorta like. Favorites: Guitar Town, Good Ol Boy

Rating: 5/10 The album was extremely derivative overall. Did not care for it besides Someday and a part of Fearless Heart.

This never had a chance for me. I don't think it deserves a 1, so here's a 2. Will I listen to again: 0%

Sounds really quite dated. Guitar town sounded nice but I don't think I'll be moving there.

If you have to put Steve Earle on here, why isn't it Copperhead Road?

Not for me. Not a fan of his voice and country is not my favourite style.

It's not the worse C&W I've heard, but it's still C&W

I wasn’t really impressed wtih anything… state trooper was good.

Even when country meets rock, in the end you're still left with saddle pain.....

More like Cum Town 5/10

Much more open to different kinds of county these days but this isnt hitting

Classical country.

Better than most country But still country. 2

I really tried to enjoy this. However, there was far too much slide guitar and country twang for my liking. No thanks.

Sympa, très honnête, un peu ennuyeux pour moi

Meh

Not good. Hokey country music.

It's a decent enough album but nothing on here really grabbed me and after a while it felt a little one-paced. I was expecting a bit better than this

Runs a bit too pop-country for my tastes with the high production levels and twang and whine. That being said, there are some solid musical choices here that hit southern rock elements I enjoy and some decent lyrics. Not for me, but I get it.

Country is normally not my vibe, and this album was no exception.

Country Musik, schön anzuhören, in Deutschland eher unbekannter Musiker, eingängiger Sound.

Not really a fan of overproduced country rock which sounds quite mainstream. It just isn't my thing.

Steve Earle is perhaps best known for Copperhead Road, which is not on this album. Guitar Town's rock elements are distinctly '80s, while the country is influenced by honky tonk. The end result is kind of a corny record with maybe too much polish for it's own good. However, it is earnest and harmless enough that I wouldn't immediately write it off.

Country just is not for me. This was heading for a 3 at first but as it went on it dipped to a 2. Dull

Im sure it is good if you're a country fan, but I rarely see the appeal.

Never heard of this chap, it's a country-rock sort of album. Some pretty good heartland songwriting, the kind of evocative stuff that is typical of country music, and the music isn't bad. I can't say much of it grabbed me though, I've definitely heard more interesting country music on this list and elsewhere. I'll keep a couple tracks, but this was pretty middle of the road to me. Favorite tracks: Guitar Town, Someday. Album art: About as middle-of-the-road as the music itself. Guy with guitar, standing in a town, with some guitars. Font is cheesy as hell too. 2.5/5

Steve Earl reckons he’s the Country Bryan Adams, forgetting that Bryan Adams is the Country Bryan Adams.

Ouch, really trying to turn me on to country at the moment aren’t you 1001? It’s not working with this one.

Felt like a mellencamp/Springsteen ripoff with country added in. Songs were good and I liked the lyrical content more than typical for country, but I couldn't get past the 80s sounds

Not my jam

Singer songwriter AND country? Oh boy, my two favourite genres—THBBBT! :P

It wasn't so bad, for a country album.

Not really my style, and I fail to see how it stands out from any of the other folksy/country type artists. It wasn't unpleasant, but nothing special. Fav tracks: Fearless Heart, Guitar Town

Not really my thang

Eighties country is such a bore. Can anyone ever *seriously* suggest a track like "Hillbilly Highway" is in earnest and not a parody? Can someone really tell the difference? WHO, goddamnit???! It's so... predictable. And hackneyed. And bland. I'll give one extra point to my initial 1/5 grade, though (translating to a 6/10 grade for more "general" purposes than the one of this list of "essential album"). And this for four reasons: 1) Nice instrumentation sometimes make up for the eighties cheesefest that the production of this album is: that tremolo guitar on the first two tracks, some banjo on another... You get the honky tonk picture now, I guess. 2) Steve Earle looks like a nice dude, and he didn't have an easy life... 3) He was part of the cast of one of the best TV series of all time (and you can hear his voice on a couple of cuts from its soundtrack). That TV series is *The Wire*. He played the part of a recovering drug addict "sponsoring" another one who was knee deep into the throes of addiction. It's a part where he was convincing to say the least. 4) Apart from a couple of artists such as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, I'm not a country music aficionado anyway, so I can readily admit that I'm not the best judge in this overall genre anyway. And Earle looks like an "authentic" player of this genre. That makes him convincing somehow, even if I'm not convinced by his music (at least on this record). But that's only one extra point, alright? You can't change a leopard its spots. So next, please. Number of albums left to review: 330 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 300 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 163 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (including this one, many other records are more important to me): 216

not super into country. was bearable.

Niet te doen

I didn't like this. It sounded like lowest common denominator music for simpletons. But further into the album it started to remind me of people I did enjoy, there were brief flashes of Elvis, a Jonny Cash baseline or a Ryan Adams b-side. Country music can be complex, interesting and innovative and this was none of those things.

Country Singer/songwriter, mangler sgu lidt charme

Springsteen did it better, earlier. 2/5

Direkt nach dem Hören kann ich mich an keine einzige Melodie erinnern, außer, dass es irgendwie nach Country klang. Tja, war wohl wieder nix für mich. Musik muss mir direkt ins Blut fahren und mich begeistern. Ich schwöre, es gibt Lieder, die genau das bei mir bewirken. Auch wenn ich nach bislang zehn Alben, die ich mit einer Ausnahme ziemlich fad fand, fast schon selbst schon an meinem Geschmack zweifle.

Not really a fan of this. There's occasionally some interesting guitar work, but overall it was just very bland 80's country rock.

Cliche mid-tier country.

Loved the 80s-ness of this album but that’s about it

There are about 50 better Country albums I’ve been hoping would pop up. But I’ll take it. Needed a a change in genre.

The only song I’ve heard from him is Copperhead Road. I enjoyed hearing some country.

Gosh, I am not a good country listener…

Very country. It's fine.

I don't mind country music but I was just bored.

Not a massive fan of country music, so this album really wasn’t for me. 2/5

Meh. If I'm ever in this kind of mood I just listen to Waylon.

Country clássico que agradou.

Decent country album. Steve has a good voice

This was definitely not my thing, but decent over all. 2/5

I really could not get into this. I even tried listening to his top song, Copperhead Road, and still nothing. Kinda bland to me like white toast with no toppings. Maybe like rice pudding without any cinnamon or sugar. Perhaps even a bit like tofu as a stand-alone dish. None of these are inherently vomit-inducing, but I’d rather not.

More twang than a tornado in a banjo shop. 🌪️🌪️

Guitar Town doesn't even have Copperhead Road on it, so it's a disappointment from me. Title track is alright, the rest is fairly derivative and okay at best. 2/5.

Always worrying when track one has the same title on the album, and has more than twice as many Spotify streams as all the rest put together. It's all a bit bland, reasonably generic country soft rock that doesn't really speak to me. What you'd have got if Springsteen was half as talented and grew up 1000 miles further south west. 2/5.

Country rock, precursor del country alternatiu que tan en boga va estar als 00's. Gran part de la seva força resideix en les seves lletres i en les seves arrels en l'Amèrica profunda; cap de les dues coses m'arriben especialment a prop

Normcore.

Man har liksom hört det förut...

pretty lame country

Put this one off for a long while because I think the album title is dumb. Not loving the tone out of the gate. Makes me think of Dire Straits if they were more inspired by country, mixed with John Mellancamp. I think this is fine enough 80s country rock. I just don't like 80s country rock very much. 2 / 5

I figured I'd like this more since I'm a fan of 80s country, but this was really not my thing

I went to school and it was bad I got a job and it was bad I lived my life and it was bad So I got in my car (which was bad) And drove away to start a new life hoping it wasn’t baaaaaad And it was bad

It wasn't really my thing. I enjoyed the first two songs but after that there wasnt really anything I liked too much. I might listen again but probably not. It wasn't bad by any means, just not really my thing.

Quite pleasant in the background, though I wouldn't seek it out. No songs really stuck out to me, I didn't save any to my playlist.

Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: Yeah, it was rather smooth Favourite song: Track 5 - My Old Friend The Blues

I listened to it at some point but I couldn't tell you anything about it. 4/10

No conocía al autor ni este disco. En otras reseñas ya he puesto que me gusta la Americana music y algo el Country pero no soy fan. Quitando la canción que da título al disco no me ha parecido algo imprescindible.

I see how this works for others but it doesn’t do anything for me.

Old twangy rock 2.5

Proper hillbilly music- not too bad but not my kinda thing.

This is probably the best Country Rock album I've ever heard, and I mean that derogatorily. I did really like Goodbye's All We've Got Left though

Steve Earle is great but this album just sounds like a bunch of songs that are pretty close but not close enough to Copperhead Road. Sounds like a John Cougar Mellencamp album if he was from Tennessee. Or a Steve Earle album about sucking on a chili dog.

I should have stopped when "Hillbilly Highway" started playing. I only made it a couple more songs...

A couple of tracks sound a bit like Ryan Adams, but the rest is Country and Western

i am lead to believe that steve earle's guitar town was groundbreaking in terms of country and rock coming together. most times, i didn't find myself that impressed, but it's of course different listening to something in 1986 than 2023. it was easy enough to listen to! it could be catchy at times. i do enjoy witty lyrics, and earle's songs could contain clever lines. earle even leaned into the hick side of country rock, even going so far to create a song named "hillbilly highway." you gotta embrace who you are! 2.5

I mean, it sounds like every album that ever came out of Nashville. And, while I love the town, I'm not here for the janky countryrock sound it's known for. It just sounds like the Eagles wearing Wranglers. Or Springsteen with a over-the-top twang. Hard pass.

The more male-sung American country music I listen to, the more I just think it's not for me. I really can't get on very well with that twang of his accent. Somehow, despite saying all that, Hillbilly Highway happened to be my favourite. Unfortunately, to me that bar wasn't very high. I also got this on a day where I just really couldn't appreciate music like this, sorry. Favourite: Hillbilly Highway

Some country shit, felt like I needed to be on a dirt road

It's another country album, much better than contemporary country, but still, nothing really exceptional. I don't have time to write much more about it, sorry.

Too much twang over a short period of time for me on this one, some interesting song compositions here and there but mostly too straightforward and static to capture me.

I have to say, I was really not very impressed. I didn't hear anything that struck me as a strong stand out. That being said, I like this guy after reading through his Wiki. I wish he made a better album, and maybe he did after this one.

Tried again. Not a fan.

Feel for the guy and even like this kinda music just sounds kinda cheez

Genuine Hilbilly music

Bog standard country/rock. Not my thing "at all" but for those that like that. Fill your boots.

Not my jam but great voice and well-respected name

Call me crazy, but when I queued up an album called "Guitar Town," I expected to hear some impressive guitar playin'. That is not what I got, but I did get country music, which is always a tough sell for me. <insert '90s-era Hercules "Disappointed!" .gif here>

I’m very picky with my taste in country music. This is a bit too twangy and poppy. It wasn’t a bad listen tho. Just nothing that really stood out to me.

See review: Gilded Palace of Sin. 2

2.5 Oh boy, more country! I was at least a little interested to check this one out, being familiar with Copperhead Road as a karaoke staple for my dad, but he warned me ahead of time this album is not that, and he’s right, it isn’t - it’s much more on the lighter side. I still thought it had a fun energy to it though, even if it was a bit more on the poppier side, and I genuinely feel like Earle has a voice made for country music. Other than that, don’t feel like I have a ton to say - pretty middle of the road country, so middle of the road rating. I saw Emmylou Harris has a cover of the title track, and I found it pretty solid, to the point where I may even prefer hers… though to be fair, there’s probably very little country music I don’t think could be sung better by her. Shoutout to Bright Eyes for featuring her on I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. Favorite songs: Guitar Town, Hillbilly Highway, My Old Friend the Blues, Someday

Ok album but not for me - too country

Skipped through this because not my thang

niet afgeluisterd, niet mijn ding

Prima achtergrond ruis maar kon er niks bijzonders in herkennen . Beetje saai imo

Yee-haw. Good ol' country music. Pleasant and true to the genre but generally not memorable enough for me to think it should be on a list of greatest all time.

2/12, 17%

Guitar Town on viiden tähden biisi, mutta se on sitä siksi, että Earlen sävellystapa on luottaa tuttuun muotoon, jonka minimaalinen varioiminen synnyttää ajoittain lopputuloksen, joka nousee selittämättömästä syystä itsensä yläpuolelle. Tällä levyllä artistilla ei käy vastaava tuuri minkään muun kappaleen kohdalla, ja suuri osa levystä tuntuu aika tasapaksulta suorittamiselta.

Meh.

It feels like there’s a direct line leading from this to Blake Shelton’s ‘Boys Round Here’, and for that I don’t know whether to give it 1 star or 5. Goodbye’s All We’ve Got Left is a decent song (and strangely familiar), but a lot of it’s a bit… ehhh ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Oh hell no. No more country please

It wasn't bad for a country rock album. But how was this different from any other 80/90s country rock album or some guy playing at a random state fair? This didn't belong on this list. 2.5 but I'm rounding down.

Pretty boring, not a fan of this old fashion country style.

i like some steve earle, but i don't like this steve earle, sorry. (i also don't really like most country, so yeah)

Guitar town? Oof. Bad name. This reminds me of kidsalong. This was hard for me to get through but I didn’t HATE anything.

I don’t like most country music.

Not my cup of iced tea

Not a terrible album but he’s no Springsteen. Great guitar sound but barely a minute in to the album you’re bombarded with lines of indiscernible country babble populated by the occasional Southern town (“howdy dowdy Tennessee”). The earnest songwriting is definitely charming and it’s something which has pleasantly surprised me about this style of country pop so far on this list. But this ain’t top tier.

Just meh, very mediocre. I didn't hate it but there is so much better country out there to listen to. A Guitar Town is my type of town though.

I guess it's my fault for thinking that an album called "Guitar Town" would be an awesome guitar album to look forward to.

I really don’t like country music.

American country cliches lyrical and musical - not for me

Not much variety in these songs and a little bit too much country for my taste. Fave track: Little Rock 'N' Roller

Did I like this? Absolutely not! Was it the worst thing…close. It’s clear Steve Earle is a decent musician it’s also clear that his brand of country on this record isn’t for me.

honest and immediate as country is

Need to hear more if it.

Best Song: Guitar Town. Really hits you in the mouth with the twang, but it's early enough in the album that it feels like a nice novelty rather than a ludicrous affectation. Worst Song: My Old Friend the Blues. Call me cantankerous but I really don't think "the blues" should be sung as sweet-faced as this. The blues are gritty, not this saccharine stuff that feels like it should be playing at closing time in a rib restaurant. Overall: You'll only find long vowels in this ol' giddyup. Feels like it has a classic rock feel in parts, almost like Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi, but also devolves into modern pop-country crooning. I don't really like the genre, but when I do it is at least has some raw and rough qualities. This kind of polished country feels like an oxymoron that's antithetical to the best parts of the genre.

Neither love nor hate

meh

Didn’t make it far.

County isn't my thing - could not get away with it - nice guitar sound

Generic country with repetitive music. I kept waiting for the sound that worked explain why this was a 1001 selection but I never heard it.

Oooh that’s county alright. And I really don’t like country. I feel like there’s a possibility that this is a seminal album that might have set the mould for things to come. Don’t really care though, as it’s such a shitty mould. I did however, find my thumbs being inexorably drawn to the belt loops of my blue Levi jeans, so there maybe something powerful in this boring dross.

Guitar Town by Steve Earle (1986) This album was probably appealing in 1986 because it was one of the first digitally recorded country albums. And indeed it does have the clarity and sonic space of a digital recording. Also, it was likely embraced by younger country/western fans, who could appreciate its innovative rock flavorings. But musically, it doesn’t offer much, and the lyrics are sub par. Singer/songwriter Steve Earle has a competent backing band, but there’s inadequate genius at the artistic center. The closing track “Down the Road” stands out, but the a cappella solo passages are too brief, and they could have used at least one other voice in harmonic backing. Disappointing. For an album titled Guitar Town, there is precious little guitar virtuosity here, basically just strumming and plain, simple riffs. And Earle’s vocals are overly affected, with a sassy twang yet insufficient range, especially on the low end, in the ill-chosen (but easy to play) key signatures. There’s lots of mumbling toward the ends of phrases, as if Earle doesn’t take his own thoughts seriously. So why should the listener? Underwhelming. 2/5

Not bad, but too twangy for my tastes. And if you've heard one song from this album, then you've heard them all.

country rock 80s no doubt churned through the KXRK channels

Didn’t speak to me. Feels like the precursor to late eighties/early nineties pop country.

I really don’t like country, holy shit this album was difficult for me. I’ll give it a 3/10, the only part of the album I liked was in Fearless Heart at around 1:45 and 3:18, it was a pretty nice 80’s style hook that I appreciated the rest of the album was lackin tho

Guitar Town came out in 1986, one of the worst years for music ever, and it doesn't outright suck. That's some kind of accomplishment, right there. First off, the sound of the album is pleasing. There's a nice balance between guitar, keyboards, singing and drums, which is down to producers Emory Gordy, Jr., and Tony Brown. Yes, the backbeat on the drums is overly literal, but I'd be shocked to find an 80s mainstream album that didn't have that. The songs and musicianship are pleasant enough. Oh, another thing: the keyboards are period-specific, but they don't make me want to puke. And yet, I've got to ask, why is this album on any kind of list? It's bog-standard mainstream country from start to finish. Nothing musically interesting about it. And Steve Earle doesn't have anything new to say lyrically. Still, you could do a lot worse. If this came on in a barbecue restaurant, it wouldn't make me want to take my ribs to go. One last note: The most assertive, appealing songs are frontloaded, so the album steadily gets weaker as it goes along.

Listened to this after pulling an all nighter for a hackathon. God it didn't help keep me awake on the way home

SO TWANGY

Most of this was...fine? I guess? (shrug emoji) I like the guitar playing and the instrumentation but mostly this leaves me cold and wanting to listen to a country album that I like. I liked Hillbilly Highway. Good 'Ol Boy is ok, though I don't really get why someone from Iran partially owns his truck and it reminds me a little of the song Gettin' Bi from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I do really appreciate the line, "I was born in the land of plenty, now there ain't enough." And I don't know that I like the song all that much but I sure feel the sentiments in My Old Friend the Blues.

I feel like this is what uneducated people think Bruce Springsteen is, just an American bloke with a guitar singing about big trucks and shit. It was all a bit hollow. HOWEVER, the only good track was the live cover of State Trooper which is a Springsteen song.

pretty boring

Country?

Nekakav western-country album koji nije loš uopće, ali jednostavno je sasvim okej. Ništa posebno.

I wasn't very in to it, but fans of country could enjoy this somewhat.

KKona

Guitar not interesting 2.5/5

Though I'm not a fan of country, there are some nicely subdued tracks on this that make it a decent album.

This country album is an album that reminded me of all the jokes people make about country being basic chords backing tracks primarily about trucks and your dog and drinking and the good ol' days. Those genre stereotypes are definitely because of albums like this. And while I enjoyed some of the B3 piano on the album, I was quickly reminded why I was never into the traditional country that this falls into; it mainly just bores me.

Nah, not having it. Was looking forward to Steve Earle. Saw a bit of it kicking around in my old boys collection. Country though isn’t it. Absolute tosh. Track 4 and it was off. Nothing special and nothing that was going to make me change my mind about how SHIT this kind of ‘good ol’ boy’ music it is.

eher fad

Thank u, next

Sounds like generic country music to me. Every time I sample a high point of this genre, I wonder what the low points must sound like... because this just sounds exactly how I expect the genre to sound in my head. I've listened to another of his albums in the past, and that made no impression either. 2.5... I don't feel equipped to judge country, so "it's not you, it's me".

I can see why this was influential but no.

Country

Gash

Net als bij Emmylou iets teveel pure country naar mijn smaak. Na een paar nummers uitgezet.

Vast heel goed in zijn soort, maar ik heb er niet veel mee.

Kraak noch smaak.

more middle of the road than a central reservation.

Hope that I continue not enjoying music like this.

This guy really wanted to write an old fashioned country album, and I think there’s a bit too much of the late 80s in there for me... not a bad album by any means, but just not great Favorite Tracks: “Guitar Town” and “Hillbilly Highway”

Steve Earle, this album cover and it's name look like a fake album from a movie hahah. || I was hopeful for an interesting country album, I've been looking for more Country music to enjoy that isn't god-awful stadium country. Unfortunately this looks to be an 80's precursor that style...

80s country rock

Not bad. Just not for me.

Not bad for country

ok, i guess. springsteen with a pick up truck

I could've sworn that I'd listened to this before and liked it. Not my cuppa tea, but it did feel very much like something Josh and Howard would like.

I tried. It was fine.

Still not into country music

Vastaavia on 13 tusinassa...

Eipä kovin järisytelly, yks biisi oli hyvä

(15/100)

Lord give me strength. For I have just endured another Country album, and this may have been the worst one yet. Guitar Town by Steve Earle is the kind of album you play to someone from Alabama who has strong feelings for their cousin. This album made me truly question whether or not this was supposed to be parody. I painstakingly looked at every album I have given a 2, and the few albums I have given a 1, in a vain attempt to find something I enjoyed about in this album. For the 2 star albums, I usually mention a song or an aspect of the album that was bearable, or rarely something that might have been pretty good. Alas, I was unable to for this album. Now, maybe it was because I only listened to it once, and it might have grown on me. That does happen with a lot of the albums on the site. However, in rare instances like this, when I hear the sound of a good old Country boy with a voice like that, it makes me regret my blood oath to this website and myself to listen to every single album from top to bottom all the way through at least once. This album has the certified makings of generic hick County music, which is the most unbearable, most unpleasant kind of noise to listen to. I made a prediction a few 1 star reviews ago that most of the albums I unfortunately have to bestow with a 1 would be Country, and also unfortunately I've been right on the money so far. I just don't like it. The instrumentation here is generic, the lyrics are a joke, the names of the songs make me regret not listening on private mode, and the singer makes me want to consume a gallon of bleach. I hate giving 1 star reviews, but for instances like this where I just can't pick out anything even resembling enjoyment, I've gotta do it. And yes, it's becoming a bad trend with the Country albums. It seems that I'm not alone in the assessment that this album just doesn't belong here either, as it has a very low rating on the site. I'm about to contribute to that. You know that when an album has me ranting like this, in which I could go another several lines just dogging on Country, that it's bad. This album did nothing but enrage me and I was happy when it ended. It's not even 40 minutes long but feels like it took 10 hours to get through. I wanted to be nice and give it a 2, but I simply can not do that. Good Country exists. It's few and far between, but it does exist. On the other end of that spectrum are the albums that sound exactly like this. Let this be the shining, and hopefully last example, of the kind of music I hate the most on this website. Yee Haw.

Definitely not for me. Country and western

Can something be offensively middle of the road? If so, then this is what this is.

Nope

when people ask me "what kind of music do you like?", i used to say some corny shit like "i listen to everything, except for contemporary country." now i can confidently say some corny shit like "i listen to everything, except for country."

Dire. Put it off after four tracks

not for me, thanks

Gear: ZMF Auteur Classic LTD Shedua Artwork: 🎸😐🎸 Production (30th Anniversary): 😐👍🆗 Music: 🇺🇸🤠🤡 Rating: 🌃/5

What a way to start the month... This thing is tedious as hell. Vocalist sounds unbelievable annoying due to its twang. Instrumentation is just modernly produced basic country mixed with some elements of Heartland Rock, like bells, pianos and big choruses, but instead of feeling passionate, like Bruce Springsteen, it makes the songs even more cornier. Nothing redeemable or worth talking about from my point of view.

2/10 - Country feels very copied and pasted to me.

Дропнув на половині. Стереотипне радіо-кантрі. Хз, можливо це був якийсь прорив у 80х, але зараз мені було важко слухати

I really, truly do not understand what would place this album above any other generic country record. I guess this was made before a lot of them?

As if cliché ridden country pop wasn't bad enough this guy tops it off with that awful pseudo rock production which has all the edges filed off the guitars and drums so they don't get too exciting. If this is essential in any way, it has to be as a bad example.

Please no

country as hell bruther

Oh this one... So it begins with track 1 that is called "Guitar Town" and after 10 seconds he already sings "Hey, Pretty Baby". Is he talking to his guitar or does he want to impress some random women (or in his own words a baby)? In track 3 he sings "down": Well that is how I feel me after only 3 (!!!) tracks into this album. Track 4 "Good Ol' Boy": I'm assuming he's singing about some random dog he saw walking down a random street is his hometown. But I can be wrong. Track 7 "Think It's Over" Well I wish. Too bad I had still 3 tracks to go or even worse: 4. Thanks to the reissue on Spotify. Track 10: "Down the Road" he sings "You have still miles to go." I would walk 1000 miles or even more to get rid of his music. Really! Track 2: "Goodbye's All We've Got Left" Well at least Steve is a honest person. He sings "I dont't think that it'll get any better." And yeah like i said he's honest: It only got worse! But thanks Steve to mention this already. You were absolutely right! 1/5

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: None Something about country music drives me insane. Why is it so grating on the ears?

cornball country

Jesus CHRIST this sucks! I'm no fan of country, but this is far and beyond some of the worst crap I have ever heard.

Steve, you seem cool and all, but Country music will never not be unlistenable.

Ok

Hillbilly Trash

Не люблю кантри!

Some things on this list have improved my opinion with exposure. I've softened on some of the jazz, perhaps, and maybe artists who are an acquired taste such as Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen It's had the opposite effect on my perceptions of country - I've disliked it more and more as it went on. This is bland music with nothing to say and nothing to create interest. I haven't given 1* for a while, time to break that run!

otro disco de country que me salga y voy a quemar texas. no es que sea malo, pero es que es un disco más del montón noma.

Country-musikk, fint nok det men ikke min sjanger.

Very boring and totally countrified. 1 of 1001 albums I will listen only once.

Not a fair review because I can't stand country.

not for me

Yeehaw.

No me gustó para nada

Man, I tried. I really tried. But No. I can listen to some country, especially if it has decent guitar work. But what always pulls me out and screams No! is that damn twang. I hate singers with that twang. Randy Travis is a prime example. And Steve Earle is doing his damndest to be like Randy here. It's terrible and ruins every song. This is one of the Very Few albums on the list that I simply cannot listen to twice. There are occasional bits where he's not all twangy, but they are few and far between. Some songs have decent music going on with nice little guitar flares, but not enough. Calling this a 1 and never looking back.

No thank you

This is some self-loathing music to drink moonshine to. It’s almost comical in how much it sounds like parody of country music. And it shows a shift of when country was about wanting a better home to live in, and becomes more about the Don’t Tread on Me while I lick boots and pretend refusing to get an education makes me smarter. A boring and vapid listen, and not worth the time.

Lame. Gay. Gay and lame. 0/10 0.00%

Why

a nothing.

i cant do this type of country im sorry :(

Super stereotypical country, sappy and twangy and nothing I haven't heard 100 times before

Just sucks

No

country, bye.