From Another Level of Consciousness

I honestly had no idea who Steve Earle is/was until very recently.  Earle has been a prominent singer-songwriter in political folk rock music since the mid-1970’s.  Earle comes from a musical family: his sister is a musician, and his son Justin Townes Earle is also a recording artist.  He has been actively involved in political causes since his career began, particularly in anti-war movements (starting with the anti-Vietnam War movement and later in the anti-War on Terror movement).  Not all of his songs are politically-driven, though; some of his stronger lyrical moments have dealt with his substance abuse addictions

Earle started his career in Nashville, Tennessee, writing songs for artists like Carl Perkins, Vince Gill, and Steve Wariner.  He didn’t release his first album until 1986 after spending a decade writing for others.  Guitar Town opened many doors financially and professionally for him and allowed him to be able to control most of his music.  His musical style has primarily been folk driven, but since his release from jail stemming from drug and firearms charges, his styles have shifted from folk to bluegrass to hard rock and many things in between.  His record Transcendental Blues would be a good representative of this diversity in style.

#137 – Steve Earle, Transcendental Blues (Metascore = 86)

The album opens with the title track, which starts with psychedelic overtones in it (you can hear tablas in the background) and turns into a folk rock song about someone yearning to overcome the reality he or she is in.  The song shines with the musical experimentation he used; musicians used organs, synthesizers, and other non-traditional instruments to support Earle’s lyrics.  “Everyone’s in Love with You” is a cool rock song in the vein of Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker”.  It’s here that you hear the, in my opinion, “goofy junkie” sound of Earle’s vocals (also reminiscent of Tom Petty).  Listening to the first few songs, I hear a roots rock sound more than any other sound.  I am reminded of bands I used to be into a decade ago, including the Wallflowers and Edwin McCain.

I find Earle’s lyrics very intriguing.  I initially didn’t like “The Boy Who Never Cried”, but after listening to the lyrics a little closer, I realized how tragic a story it is and recognized the beauty of the story.  Regardless of the topic, Earle tells stories that will capture your attention and even put you in the story.  While not as good at telling stories as Bob Dylan, Earle certainly does a good impression of him.

This record is a fun listen.  I actually feel like the Metascore should have been skewed higher because the listener can really dig into this record.  It doesn’t feel weighted down by overly-political songs or woe-is-me love songs.  No song is more fun than “The Galway Girl”, which reminds me of an Irish folk song.  And all of the songs are interesting musically and lyrically.