I think my problem with this disc (why it wont make my top ten) has to do with how absolutely fucking great for real, black, latest toughs are, and how much they make the slower songs seem weak by comparison. The strength of this group lies not in their soft, slow, aching alt-country, but in their Hammond-heavy rock and roll numbers. These guys need to be louder to be better.

I agree that the harder songs have more immediate appeal, but some of their slower songs are among their best (Red, The War Criminal Rises and Speaks are two good examples from previous albums).



EDIT: albums are examples

..and Maine Island Lovers.

As of today, this is still my favorite album of the year. For Real and Black are great and I loved them from the start but I don't think there's a weak moment on the CD. The over-arching theme also makes the songs fit together well and makes the album more enjoyable to listen to all the way through rather than just a couple of songs here and there.

I have been listening over and over but never gets old. Yesterday at sunset was beyond words with the red/purple hue...

A very special album for 2005, IMO!

I heard this for the first time yesterday (thanks Loog). I thought it was excellent myself. I'd obviously need a few more listens to consider ranking it, but it was perfect afternoon music for me. I can't wait to hear it again.

I guess I was drunk most of this year, because I never realized the title song was a cover until, oh 3 or 4 minutes ago, when in the middle of Ronnie Hawkins and Duane Allman's version of it, I realized I was listening to a song I knew.

Weirg. And now I am playing this album, and remembering how much I like it.

I love this album. I don't really have more to add to that, but at least the bump reminds me to put it on since I haven't in a while.

my favorite of the aughts, well the expanded version at least