I Feel Alright

This is the album that began to put Steve Earle into the category of the best american musical artist currently working. From the opening strands of "I Feel Alright" to the closing pop tune of " You're Still Standing There", there's not a misstep on the album. Train A Comin' began Earle's return to form, but this is the first major step on the way to his stature as a premier artist. As a group the trilogy of: this record, along with "El Corazon" and "Transcendental Blues" is as great a trio of records as any artist has released since the early days of Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and The Beatles. I used to think El Corazon was Earle's creative peak, but the more I listen to I Feel Alright, the more I can't separate the two. Anyone out there who likes rock and roll, alt country, or alt folk will love this record. From the raucous "Unrepentant" to the quiet "Valentines Day", to the twangy "South...Read more

After a series of what has now been five 5 strong albums after his release, it's now almost hard to remember back to the time when Earle was, as he calls it in album's liner notes, "locked up." "I Feel Alright" was actually the second album Earle released after his release, but it is the single Earle record that addresses that period of his life most directly, and more than that, his most personal record either before or after kicking the heroin habit that threatened to ruin his career. From the tough acoustic rhythm and determined spirit that power the title track, to the bluesy dispair of "CCKMP" and "South Nashville Blues," Earle gives it all he's got for the first time since Copperhead Road. It's definately worth the effort once again. "Hard-Core Troubadour" is the kind of tune Springsteen should have written for "Born to Run." "Now She's Gone" shows that men don't have a monopoly on being bad. The...Read more

I've been a casual fan of Steve Earle over the years and always sort of liked him. I was in a record store listening to various CDs and this was in the new release section so I put it on and three songs in, all I could think was WOW. This is not a CD that takes time to grow on you. It is evident immediately how good it is. You feel his pain but you feel his optimism on this album. As everyone else has mentioned, the Lucinda Williams duet is a real treat. If you buy one Steve Earle album this should be it. I also highly recommend El Corazon.