That Lonesome Song
by Jamey Johnson
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Rolling Stone
    80
    Country has no shortage of wanna-be outlaw neotraditionalists, but Johnson's songs are crisper and more tuneful than most.
  2. Spin
    80
    By the end, when Johnson stakes a place vocally, geographically, and alphabetically "somewhere between [Waylon] Jennings and [George] Jones," you're relieved he still has his wits about him.
  3. Slant Magazine
    80
    That Lonesome Song has the point of view, style and sheer quality of craft to kick off such a movement; even if that doesn't happen, it's one of the best, purest country albums to come out of Nashville in ages.
  5. Billboard
    80
    That Lonesome Song is a testament to raw and real, right down to open studio mics catching stray commentary and static from a bad input.
  6. The New York Times
    70
    When he’s not thinking about the ruined marriage, he’s equally sullen about the state of country music. An open admirer of Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson, Mr. Johnson favors older styles. He sings more than one waltz and uses lean, subdued band arrangements that ooze pedal steel guitar into the empty spaces.
  7. PopMatters
    80
    The strength of That Lonesome Song lies not in its relation to past country classics, but in how well Johnson draws from that same river of human sadness and puts those dark feelings and experiences into song, without pulling any punches.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. AndyO
    Jun 6, 2009
    10
    Unlike many of the new country albums, you can hear the steel guitar loud and clear in this one. It's an album you can listen to over Unlike many of the new country albums, you can hear the steel guitar loud and clear in this one. It's an album you can listen to over and over and never get bored. It's one of the best I've ever listened to.… Full Review »
  2. NickM.
    May 24, 2009
    10
    AMAZING cd....this is truely country music at its finest.. this is a truely refreshing change from a lot of the pop-oriented country music AMAZING cd....this is truely country music at its finest.. this is a truely refreshing change from a lot of the pop-oriented country music that is coming out nowadays.… Full Review »
  3. LisaM
    Feb 4, 2009
    10
    My boyfriend turned me onto classic country with the likes of Waylon Jennings and John Anderson. I fell in love with Jmey Johnson when he put My boyfriend turned me onto classic country with the likes of Waylon Jennings and John Anderson. I fell in love with Jmey Johnson when he put out "The Dollar", when the "Lonesome Song" album came out--on vinyl, I was hooked!! His voice, his depth of emotion, and his fabulous band, the whole package is "Grammy" material!!… Full Review »
See all user reviews »