Who
Who did Steve Earle think he was putting out a debut album this self-assured, sounding like a more rural Bruce Springsteen or a cooler John Mellencamp? Who were the A&R geniuses over the years who decided this guy wasn't a marketable artist?
What
What else does a body have to do to be successful besides write songs as insightful as "Goodbye's All We Got Left" and as pretty as "My Old Friend the Blues"? What was going through the producer's mind when he included that tinkling synthesizer nonsense on the lullaby "Little Rock 'n' Roller," taking an acceptably sentimental song and killing it with cuteness?
Where
Where does that same producer get off neutering the best material, like "Fearless Heart," by keeping that solid backing band chained up on the porch? Where do you suppose Crazy Heart drew inspiration for Jeff Bridges' character - other than Waylon Jennings - if not this rambling force of nature?
When
When exactly did the drugs change Earle's voice, helping the "nasal" part of his nasal twang win out over the rest?
How
How can I believe in justice in a world where Steve Earle struggles in relative obscurity and Justin Bieber is on the cover of Vanity Fair?
Why
Why are you still reading this review when you could be listening to this album? Grade: B+
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