I know this album has a cult following of sorts, but that cult should flourish. I think this has been relegated to minor status for those outside the know because it is pretty complex and difficult. On the surface, it's some really great, piano-driven, country rock. But this album is far more complicated than that. It's much more in league with the classic song cycle type of albums. Outsider figures, alcoholics, and murders appear and then vanish into the desert. Maybe Allen is kinda like Texas Tom Waits or something, but that's probably a pretty lazy comparison. There's so many damned good songs that every time I listen to this I have a new favorite. Which one will be yours?Link Removed
Yep. This is great. I love the dude talking and describing the characters. I'm only a couple songs in and this is just wonderful. Badass lyrics, really beautiful arrangements. Somehow this reminds me of "Dead Flowers." Maybe it's just the tone of the lyrics--totally dark and yet weirdly comforting.
ReplyDeleteI've loved Terry's "known" classic Lubbock (on everything) for years but have never had the opportunity to listen to Juarez - thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteMatt, I knew this would be something you'd like.
ReplyDeleteHolly, Lubbock is a classic, but I still prefer the ambition of this album.
I first discovered 'Human Remains' in Ohio, purely by accident in 1997. Played it over and over. I couldn't place it..that weird voice and perfect musically congealed set of songs and lyrical originality. Then I bought 'Lubbock' in Maine and it was like a thick novel, that seemed to cover a 30 year period. Then after everything else, there was'Juarez'. Like traveling backwards and knowing by way of various versions/parts of the story..It's like Sailor and Lulu in a way, but before. Reminiscent also of Cormac McCarthy or the truelife Starkweather and Fugate/and film counterpaart Badlands, But all together separated and unto itself different. There's something deeply American about Terry Allen's tales. In a way, all the Rock'n'Roll Highways of Midnight Violence and the Mexican Bloodlettings and Saviour Salivations and Ruined Beauties, seem to build a web of historical identity of the soul in conflict...and more. More than I can put together in an internet comment.
ReplyDeleteReally, this as a thanks to you because I have downloaded some great albums here in the past couple of months or so since I first ran into the Creep Scanner!
Well stated. Allen is an anomalous figure that I still quite can figure out. But he's someone that takes experience and development to even start approaching. It makes sense that he's been there at times in your life. As an old bastard, this album makes much more sense to me then it probably would have if I was in my 20s or so.
ReplyDeleteHi Jerry
ReplyDeleteI see the link has been removed.
Can you put it up again unless the fun police have been making life difficult for you.
Read today that record sales where the highest ever for 2010 but of course it's us bastard bloggers etc that are ruining it for the swine
Pete
Sorry, but once the link is yanked it's gone for good. It's a pain in the ass to deal with those people and I want to avoid incurring their wrath. But you should be able to track it down without too much complications.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jerry,
ReplyDeleteKnow what you mean. BTW, I have all of his others if you are after any.
Pete
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Peter,
DeleteI am interested in links to Terry Allen:
I only became aware of him after his 2013 release 'Bottom of the World'. So far I only have this one and 'Smokin' the Dummy & Bloodlines'.