The Good Life
by: Justin Townes Earle
List Price: $14.98
Prices subject to change.
Price: $13.99
You Save: $0.99 ( 7%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Amazon.com:
Like his musical pedigree, the debut release by Justin Townes Earle is a mixed blessing. In Texas songwriting circles, having Steve Earle as a father--who gave him his middle name in commemoration of his creative hero Townes Van Zandt--is the sort of burden that a basketball-playing son of Michael Jordan might carry. Half of these cuts that sound like Lone Star roadhouse ready-mades, dimly remembered from some 1960s jukebox (though all Earle originals.) During this stretch of The Good Life, neither his voice nor his songwriting is strong enough to raise the results above the generic. Yet the folkier intimacy he displayson "Who Am I to Say" and "Turn Out the Lights" shows a singer-songwriter who can really get under the listener's skin when he isn't trying to sing over a band.Saving the best for last, he sounds a little like his dad on "Far Away In Another Town," but he also sounds like an artist coming into his own. --Don McLeese
Amazon.com:
With Justin Townes Earle's pedigree come mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game, and he's shown that he is up to the task on The Good Life, crafting stark portraits and narrative tales with elements of blues, classic country and rock n'roll. A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics. "I started out to make an old timey country record, but I listen to so many other kinds of music," Justin explained. "Some of the songs were rearranged on the spot and took on other lives and album is now more of an exploration of southern music." Earle approaches universal topics like traveling and matters of the heart ("Hard Living", "The Good Life") with the same fervor with which he evokes the bleak loneliness of a Civil War soldier on "Lone Pine Hill".
With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt (he was named in honor of the elder Earle's hero), Jimmy Reed, Kurt Cobain, The Replacements, Ray Charles and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music. Going through life with a namesake of Van Zandt's stature cannot be easy for a young songwriter, but Earle takes it in stride," saying, "Anyone who tries to live up to Van Zandt is a fool. I'm honored to carry the name, but if I spent my life trying to live up to it, I'd have a pretty miserable life." Likewise, his father's incredibly acclaimed, prolific career casts a huge shadow, but Justin Townes Earles makes a name for himself by focusing his writing on the personal rather than the political, narrative tales instead of protest. The Good Life melds the qualities of a short story with the lyrical acuity of excellent songs, celebrating grand southern traditions and blowing a fresh breeze across the musical gardens and dive bars of Nashville.
Justin Townes Earle Photos
Like his musical pedigree, the debut release by Justin Townes Earle is a mixed blessing. In Texas songwriting circles, having Steve Earle as a father--who gave him his middle name in commemoration of his creative hero Townes Van Zandt--is the sort of burden that a basketball-playing son of Michael Jordan might carry. Half of these cuts that sound like Lone Star roadhouse ready-mades, dimly remembered from some 1960s jukebox (though all Earle originals.) During this stretch of The Good Life, neither his voice nor his songwriting is strong enough to raise the results above the generic. Yet the folkier intimacy he displayson "Who Am I to Say" and "Turn Out the Lights" shows a singer-songwriter who can really get under the listener's skin when he isn't trying to sing over a band.Saving the best for last, he sounds a little like his dad on "Far Away In Another Town," but he also sounds like an artist coming into his own. --Don McLeese
Amazon.com:
With Justin Townes Earle's pedigree come mixed blessings. As the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle, high expectations are the name of the game, and he's shown that he is up to the task on The Good Life, crafting stark portraits and narrative tales with elements of blues, classic country and rock n'roll. A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics. "I started out to make an old timey country record, but I listen to so many other kinds of music," Justin explained. "Some of the songs were rearranged on the spot and took on other lives and album is now more of an exploration of southern music." Earle approaches universal topics like traveling and matters of the heart ("Hard Living", "The Good Life") with the same fervor with which he evokes the bleak loneliness of a Civil War soldier on "Lone Pine Hill".
With inspirations as diverse as Townes Van Zandt (he was named in honor of the elder Earle's hero), Jimmy Reed, Kurt Cobain, The Replacements, Ray Charles and The Pogues, Justin forged his own brand of American roots music. Going through life with a namesake of Van Zandt's stature cannot be easy for a young songwriter, but Earle takes it in stride," saying, "Anyone who tries to live up to Van Zandt is a fool. I'm honored to carry the name, but if I spent my life trying to live up to it, I'd have a pretty miserable life." Likewise, his father's incredibly acclaimed, prolific career casts a huge shadow, but Justin Townes Earles makes a name for himself by focusing his writing on the personal rather than the political, narrative tales instead of protest. The Good Life melds the qualities of a short story with the lyrical acuity of excellent songs, celebrating grand southern traditions and blowing a fresh breeze across the musical gardens and dive bars of Nashville.
Justin Townes Earle Photos
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
Disc 1:
Browse for similar items by category:
- Music » Styles » Alternative Rock » General
- Music » Styles » Country » General
- Music » Styles » Country » Alt-Country & Americana
- Music » Styles » Country » Neotraditional
- Music » Styles » Folk » Contemporary Folk » Singer-Songwriters
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The Real Deal
What a great album from a great new star.He sounds a lot like his dad on the slower songs and writes a lot like his namesake, Townes Van Zant, but he definately stands on his own.He actually reminds me of a modern Hank Williams.Just great, real, county music, not the fluff on today's county radio.If this guy doesn't become a huge star, it's not because he doesn't deserve it.
Rating: - A great CD
I think Justin has a couple songs that show dad's influence:particularly the civil war ballad, and another 1 or 2 (Who Am I To Say sounds a bit like SE, as does Turn Out the Light).But he is definitely his own man -- by no means a Steve Earle imitator.I love the harkening back to Tin Pan Alley (Hard Livin) and a variety of other styles, from pretty straight C&W (Good Life and Lonesome & You, with all that pedal steel) to bluegrass (Glad I'm Leaving -- although there is another country style ... Read More
Rating: - Terrific Debut!
This CD is one of the best i've ordered in years!justin is, at times, better than his dad...which is saying an awful lot because i adore steve earle.i can't wait for his next album...i really can't.
Rating: - Great music
This is a fantastic album.Justin has an amazing voice, at times reminiscent of his dad, Steve Earle.For the most part, though, Justin has his own style, which is fun, beautiful, and unique. A combination of fast-paced, exciting songs and slower, relaxed numbers.The album as a whole comes together very well.I highly recommend it for any fan of Americana, roots country, bluegrass, or folk.
Rating: - Completely surprising!
I will first and foremost admit that this cd, and the musical genre is not my cup of tea.I was recommended this album by a friend who likes this type of music.I was completely skeptical, and went into the first listen thinking I would absolutely hate it.I was wrong, and will freely admit it!I liked it right away, and every listen since has just made it better.For his age, Justin is fantastic.This cd is really great and I would recommend it to anyone.If someone like me can get my mind ... Read More
- The Real DealWhat a great album from a great new star.He sounds a lot like his dad on the slower songs and writes a lot like his namesake, Townes Van Zant, but he definately stands on his own.He actually reminds me of a modern Hank Williams.Just great, real, county music, not the fluff on today's county radio.If this guy doesn't become a huge star, it's not because he doesn't deserve it.
- A great CDI think Justin has a couple songs that show dad's influence:particularly the civil war ballad, and another 1 or 2 (Who Am I To Say sounds a bit like SE, as does Turn Out the Light).But he is definitely his own man -- by no means a Steve Earle imitator.I love the harkening back to Tin Pan Alley (Hard Livin) and a variety of other styles, from pretty straight C&W (Good Life and Lonesome & You, with all that pedal steel) to bluegrass (Glad I'm Leaving -- although there is another country style ... Read More
- Terrific Debut!This CD is one of the best i've ordered in years!justin is, at times, better than his dad...which is saying an awful lot because i adore steve earle.i can't wait for his next album...i really can't.
- Great musicThis is a fantastic album.Justin has an amazing voice, at times reminiscent of his dad, Steve Earle.For the most part, though, Justin has his own style, which is fun, beautiful, and unique. A combination of fast-paced, exciting songs and slower, relaxed numbers.The album as a whole comes together very well.I highly recommend it for any fan of Americana, roots country, bluegrass, or folk.
- Completely surprising!I will first and foremost admit that this cd, and the musical genre is not my cup of tea.I was recommended this album by a friend who likes this type of music.I was completely skeptical, and went into the first listen thinking I would absolutely hate it.I was wrong, and will freely admit it!I liked it right away, and every listen since has just made it better.For his age, Justin is fantastic.This cd is really great and I would recommend it to anyone.If someone like me can get my mind ... Read More
Online Shopping
Copyright © 2006 Welists Online Shopping, All Rights Reserved. welists is powered by web hosting.