entertain

Though my knowledge of country music is sadly limited, Steve Earle’s music transcends those context-reliant judgments so unfortunately necessary to discern quality from quantity in the homogenous realm of popular music. Everything he does, from covers of Nirvana’s "Breed" and the Beatles’ "I’m Looking Through You," to his own wonderful lyrical and melodic creations, to resurrections of old folk and country songs, is musically complex and impeccable. His husky Texan voice seems universally appropriate and novel across his spectrum of sounds and styles, and the lyrics he writes for himself and others often have that poetry and social salience missing in so much modern music.

I first heard Steve Earle at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in October, and since have bought a few of his albums and borrowed some others from friends. I’ve liked everything I’ve heard. Until a few days ago, my appreciation of the man, though substantial, stopped at his music. Though there’s a definite liberal slant to his lyrics, I’m generally loathe to ruin good music with the stupidity of those behind it, and thus avoid their often dubious philosophical social or political beliefs. Musicians should do what suits them and avoid what doesn’t. Steve Earle, however, is political because his politics are sound. Not that I’m preaching one perspective or the other, but I always admire a person who’s seen more than one side of an issue and chooses that which appeals to his sensibilities. Having grown up in Texas in a markedly conservative political atmosphere, Earle’s politics carry a refreshing authenticity rarely found standard-issue San Francisco liberalism.

Having said that, I have to point out that his most recent and most political album The Revolution Starts Now, is a bit of a disappointment compared to most of his older stuff. Anyhow, regardless of your political views or prior musical experiences, give Earle a try.

His site, including a very interesting weblog can be found at: http://www.steveearle.com/