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Steve Earle - Jerusalem
- Perhaps one of the most underappreciated songwriters of our time, Steve Earle has never been one to do things quietly, as evidenced by his troubled past. When he has a problem with something, he says it. Around the time “Jerusalem” was released, he had a problem with America and didn’t hesitate to say it.
The first three songs on the album all deal with what he sees as a crumbling society, one that has become callous and forgot the spirit of its inception, one where the government plots against its citizens. Even if you don’t agree with him, he expresses things so well that it’s hard to argue while your listening. Immediately after those first three songs, he shows sympathy for the devil with “John Walker’s Blues,” a song that pities John Walker Lindh, the American who joined the Taliban. Its not just songwriting Earle has down; its also presentation. Earle inhabits characters, and his voice becomes them. When portraying John Walker Lindh, in captivity and defeated, Earle sounds haggard and tired.
He portrays the evil inclination of man, while jailhouse keys rattle in the background. When Earle feels strongly, he is definitely at the top of his game.
Reviewer: Josh Brachfeld
new
Reviewer's Rating: 9.5
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
Added: 30-Jun-2009
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