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The Guitar Song
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The Guitar Song Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

  • Summary: Jamey Johnson's latest album is a 25-track double album with the first half, The Black Album, devoted to dark emotions and the other half, the White Album, devoted to more positive songs.
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Top Track

That's How I Don't Love You
I used to wake up early Just so I could watch you as you sleep That's how I loved you Forever was a promise That wasn't very hard for me to... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Los Angeles Times
    100
    With The Guitar Song, he's made an ambitious work that goes down easy. Johnson may masquerade as a throwback but what he really aims for is timelessness, and he usually hits his mark.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Dec 21, 2010
    91
    On his audacious, frequently excellent third album, The Guitar Song, Johnson shares his dream of outlaw country becoming as dominant a commercial force as it was in the '70s, over the course of 25 songs rooted in the past, but not indebted to it.
  3. Rolling Stone
    90
    It rings true to one man's unshakable vision.
  4. PopMatters
    90
    The Guitar Song quite firmly cements Johnson's place at the forefront of today's country music songwriters, performers, and singers. The fact that he had the courage to put out a 25-song album after achieving some success is not as significant as the courage he had to keep following his vision of what country music can and should be.
  5. Boston Globe
    90
    The Guitar Song comes grouped in two parts, a "Black Album" and a "White Album," structured, according to Johnson, as a progressive movement from a dark and sordid beginning to a reassuring and redemptive end. That structure isn't always discernable in listening. What is immediately evident, though, is that this is a phenomenal collection of country music.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    The moody set mixes covers of legends like Vern Gosdin with originals that ring so true they might as well be standards. The 25-song collection feels longer than Johnson's infamous owl sanctuary of a beard, but it's unlikely any country purists will complain.
  7. Village Voice
    70
    It's got a few clunkers and slow spots, and, especially given the depressive tempos Johnson's so fond of, it's inadvisable to ingest in one sitting. But surprisingly Guitar is packed at least as solid as his last set, and it's less conventional to boot.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. jesus_testman
    Nov 20, 2019
    10
    Simply, quite possibly the most perfectly fragile, devastating and hopeful album of the 21st Century. Exquisite in its pain
  2. MrMadrew
    Nov 25, 2010
    9
    I generally dislike country music, probably because I am from the city and have never spilled barbecue sauce on my tractor, but this album isI generally dislike country music, probably because I am from the city and have never spilled barbecue sauce on my tractor, but this album is so deep and filled with raw emotion that any human can relate to it. The guitar playing is very good and I can play this album again and again… Collapse
  4. QA1
    Oct 21, 2010
    9
    It's got a few clunkers and slow spots, and, especially given the depressive tempos Johnson's so fond of, it's inadvisable to ingest in oneIt's got a few clunkers and slow spots, and, especially given the depressive tempos Johnson's so fond of, it's inadvisable to ingest in one sitting. But surprisingly Guitar is packed at least as solid as his last set, and it's less conventional to boot.… Expand
  5. jethibea
    Sep 21, 2010
    9
    This album is outstanding, especially disc one. A standout of the year, for sure. Rarely is a country music album this consistentlyThis album is outstanding, especially disc one. A standout of the year, for sure. Rarely is a country music album this consistently interesting. My sole complaint is that I found the second disc dragged a bit, but that certainly shouldn't hold you back from buying this set.… Expand
  6. MingBeard
    Oct 11, 2010
    9
    It's hard to believe the guy that wrote "Honkey Tonk Buh-Donka-Donk" would write such a meaningful, dare i say EMOTIONAL country record, ANDIt's hard to believe the guy that wrote "Honkey Tonk Buh-Donka-Donk" would write such a meaningful, dare i say EMOTIONAL country record, AND in addition, be considered "outlaw" with the likes of Hank III, Merle and George? Ever song on the first disc is a tired, beaten slug of whiskey down a chain-smoker's throat. I recommend this only IF you arent as down as he is.… Expand
  7. ScottyB
    Nov 22, 2010
    9
    Pop country music has always been plagued by cheesy, trite, sentimental songs--the obvious, the ralley-around-the-flag patriotism, the cliche.Pop country music has always been plagued by cheesy, trite, sentimental songs--the obvious, the ralley-around-the-flag patriotism, the cliche. Serious listeners of music justifiable look down on pop country music, though they make exceptions for artists like Hank Williams, Sr., Johnny Cash, Grahm Parsons, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Loretta Lynn, and a handful of others. Jamey Johnson joins the ranks of the true country music elite with "The Guitar Song"--a long, rich, powerful epic that gets better with each listen. Though it definitely stands on the depressive side of the street (hence the 9 instead of the 10, which would require a broader range of emotion), it has rockers and sing-along ballads, catchy hooks and compelling covers, brilliant instrumentation, and Johnson's powerful vocals. This is a "country" album for music lovers who generally avoid the genre.… Expand
  8. InClass
    Sep 21, 2010
    8
    The idea of his music is simple, tell a story of my life and lay it out for all to see. Like with his last album Mr. Johnson spins a wearyThe idea of his music is simple, tell a story of my life and lay it out for all to see. Like with his last album Mr. Johnson spins a weary tale of drugs, divorce, infidelity, and pain and is it a story. The two discs (the darker, more rich black album showing the him at his best) contain nothing but a tired, true country boy who loves talking about the blues. Good listen my friends.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2010