The Outsider

The third in a trilogy of introspective masterworks sees no decline in genius but an uptick in rockability. [20 Aug 2005]

Rocks harder than any Crowell record in the past.

The Outsider is delivered with the forthrightness, jive and firepower of a hip Southern Baptist preacher. [Aug 2005, p.102]

The Outsider may be a cut below its predecessor, the artistic, critical, and commercial breakthrough that was Fate's Right Hand--perhaps the element of surprise is gone, perhaps the songs aren't quite as sharp, perhaps it's just not possible to catch lightning in a bottle twice in a row--but that was a tough act to follow, and this one's none too shabby.

The least fussy and most direct of the three albums [Crowell] has released since returning from creative limbo five years ago. [22 Sep 2005, p.108]

Crowell employs his gift for setting complex ideas to twangy hooks. [Oct 2005, p.101]

I like this, but I have a hard time recommending it to others, unless they are more interested in righteous political discourse than in actual songcraft, and unless they are huge fans of unsubtle screeds.