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Electric Dirt Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: Larry Campbell produces the follow-up to Levon Helm's Grammy-winning album, Dirt Farmer.

Top Track

When I Go Away
Early in the morning A-when the church bells toll The choir's gonna sing And the hearse will roll On down to the graveyard Where it's cold and... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Divine blues and roots from Americana veteran.
  2. He sings of the land and of people who struggle to hold on to some small piece of it. It's especially powerful considering the ways in which he's transcended significant struggles of his own.
  3. The organic, timeless quality of that voice--especially haunting on Helm's own tale of a farmer's struggle, 'Growing Trade'--is offset by the sweetness of his daughter Amy's harmony singing, as well as by bright eddies of slide guitar and mandolin, all of it creating an appealing balance.
  4. Neither the left-field alternative interpretations of Johnny Cash’s final few albums, nor the insular, moody explorations of contemporary Bob Dylan, Helm’s recent work embraces the past alongside the present in a way that is inviting, joyous, and thoroughly satisfying.
  5. Helm struts his slippery shell-game groove on 'Jed' and works it deftly throughout. But he digs deepest here with his voice, which veers between soulful stoicism and boozy yowl.
  6. Mojo
    80
    Electric Dirt, as implied, is a continuation of "Dirt Farmer's" themes, packing a sharper jolt. [Jul 2009, p.94]
  7. It's driven by Helm's warm, amazingly rich moonshine vocals and decorated with bluesy guitar sprinkles, angelic violins and lovely harmonies by his daughter Amy of the folk-rock outfit Ollabelle.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. JeromeL
    Jul 2, 2009
    8
    A wonderfully energetic and soulful album of the sort that only Mr. Helm could deliver.
  2. ByronLJ
    Jul 5, 2009
    8
    It's arguable that this record is better than his last. This is surely a contender for album of the year. There are not many Artists who It's arguable that this record is better than his last. This is surely a contender for album of the year. There are not many Artists who were playing in bands 40 years ago, still putting out great albums. Collapse
  3. Oct 28, 2010
    8
    Levon, Levon, Levon! Nice job. The production is clean and uncomplicated. the songs crafted for extended listening sessions. In today'sLevon, Levon, Levon! Nice job. The production is clean and uncomplicated. the songs crafted for extended listening sessions. In today's world we need more music of this type and quality. Farmer up and go! Many want to be him but only he can be himself. Expand