Steve Earle

The Revolution Starts...Now - (E-Squared)

It would be hard for one to doubt Steve Earle's conviction and dedication. He's already demonstrated a willingness to take on the controversial, and sometimes (at least as of late) it overshadows the fact that he remains one of country music's finest songwriters. The Revolution Starts...Now contains the best of both of these worlds.

Making the accomplishment all the more impressive is the fact that this recording was hurriedly put together to allow for Earle to make his statement before the upcoming presidential election. However, Earle realizes that's not the main reason we buy records.

Perhaps the only telling thing about the recording's rushed agenda is the fact that the title track appears twice, a longer version at the end. While this is a bit of a downside Earle should have picked one), it happens to be an exceptional song.

And there are more exceptional songs on The Revolution Starts...Now. The honky tonk of "Home To Houston" is a rough and ready classic, while Earle proceeds to get good 'n' mad in "F The CC" - one of the biggest fist-waving anthems that Earle's ever produced. The support Earle has here also furthers his band as being one of the best in the business. Eric "Roscoe" Ambel (man, this guy is everywhere!) delivers some solid rowdy guitar here, and drummer Will Rigby is one of the hardest hitters around. The band can tone it down, though, as they do on "Comin' Around" - wisely letting guest Emmylou Harris deliver her guest vocal clear as a bell.

Still, Earle's agenda is clear. The title track's call to arms isn't alone here. The sad "Rich Man's War" makes its very pointed case to great effect, containing one of Earle's finest vocals here. Even more powerful is "Warrior". Basically a poem set to music (literally - don't give me that "all lyrics are poems stuff)), this deserves to further cement Earle's status as one of the finest songwriters around.

Never one to play by anyone's rules, Earle delivers an effective political statement in The Revolution Starts...Now. He also delivers some damn fine ass-kickin' country-rock, too.

8.0