Steve Earle's politics show an amazing level of thought despite the unpopularity that it typically brings when you reveal your leanings. That's especially true when you are a celebrity and you create an album of thought processes much like Steve Earle has done with "Jerusalem".

In "Jerusalem", he expounds on the apathy displayed by Americans. He then mocks and babies those same 3 month flag-fliers in this set of personal and very revealing observations of America in its many forms, right down to the letter written to the listener. And not so much written to America itself, but to the Americans that live within its borders.

This Grammy nominated album of 11 songs is an electric jaunt down the narrow corridors of misunderstood cultural thought. In a time where our culture is nothing but a set of 'popular' opinion and our opinions are shaped by everyone else but ourselves, Earle's "Jerusalem" slaps the same faces that Abbie Hoffman slapped.

The declarative and biblical "Ashes to Ashes" deliver a fiery sermon on the transfers of power and it's inevitable results with strong rock n roll soundtrack. "Amerika v.6.0 (The Best We Can Do) cuts a swath through the money driven country we live in and reveals the awful truths of that greed and what it produces. And it ain't pretty. This album also issues the controversial song of belief in a man's inalienable rights to pursue his religion and his inner drive to achieve that sense of peace, ""John Walker's Blues". The Dylanesque "Jerusalem" that closes the album is a fear of man and his impact but written with a faith that goodness holds the winning card. Musically, "Jerusalem" is the most impressive song on the disc.

Every song on this album is a revelation designed to reveal to us the loss of innocence, the tradeoff of personal belief for comfort. It's all delivered and served up on a red hot American album of passion and good old Rock n Roll. This is an album that needed to be made and Steve Earle had the guts to record it. Not only does he give a strong message but his understanding of rock and his musical mixture of country roots and guitar rock make what is understandably a superior release to much of what is out today.

But the album isn't all politics. There are some excellent love songs here as well to temper the otherwise barbed wire harshness of the theme of this album. "I'll Remember You" is a warm and beautiful duet with EmmyLou Harris, whose appearance makes the song all the more poignant and effective.

Steve Earle creates a rock album with a country heart. You can clearly hear the country in his dust covered vocals but he plays it like rock n roll. With his harmonica and banjo, the down south flavour is readily apparent but his soul pours forth the best that rock have to offer. It's beyond that of Charlie Daniels and Lynyrd Skynyrd; they've never played Rock like this.

The disc comes with an 8 page booklet insert that thoughtfully provides lyrics, a heartfelt and articulate letter from Steve Earle to the people of America, and a page of credits. The production value of this disc is top-notch.

"Jerusalem" is a great album by a strong musical personality. Steve Earle is deserving of recognition for the intensity that emanates from this disc.

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Steve Earle
Jerusalem

Released: September 20, 2002
Origination Year: 2002
Time: 36:27
Tracks: 11
Produced by: the twangtrust
Engineered by: Ray Kennedy
Mastered by: Hank Williams at MasterMix, Nashville
Style: Studio
Format: CD
Enhancement: None
Label: Artemis Records
Website:
www.steveearle.com

Ashes to Ashes
Amerika v. 6.0 (The Best We Can Do)
Conspiracy Theory
John Walker's Blues
The kind
What's a Simple Man to Do?
The Truth
Go Amanda
I Remember You
Shadowland
Jerusalem