Editorial Review:

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

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 displays on '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









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Disc 1:

1. Hard Livin'
2. The Good Life
3. Who Am I to Say
4. Lone Pine Hill
5. South Georgia Sugar Babe
6. What Do You Do When You're Lonesome
7. Turn out My Lights
8. Lonesome and You
9. Ain't Glad I'm Leaving
10. Far Away in Another Town

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 changed, it can happen to anyone. Rating: - * very, very good ... I love this CD. This is the first thing I have ever listened to by Justin. This guy's got talent ! The more you listen to it, the more you like it...it's familiar, yet unique...very well put together... i only wish he had included the lyrics :( Rating: - * OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... I am a big music fan, but I am very selective of who I waste my ears on. All I can say about Justin is he has been in my CD player and on my MP3 player since I got his CD.....I just recently went on a road trip and I think my CD has a permanent groove from all the play overs.....Justin I love you and your music.....My only complaint is I have not seen you live yet....I will continue to follow your music.....You may be Steve Earle's son, but believe me you are your own man with your own voice and it is awesome..... Rating: - * Awesome ... I picked this cd up after seeing Justin Townes play in Detroit, I got it direct from the man, and while it is completely different from his live show (live it was really stripped down to Justin, a bass player, and mandolin/harmonica player) the full ensemble versions of the songs are just as beautiful as the sparse live ones. If you get the chance check Justin Townes out live, you won't be disappointed by this talented and humble individual, but buy the cd so you can have it for life.