Washington Square Serenade Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: Steve Earle's latest album features his wife Allison Moorer, as well as the Brazilian group Forro in the Dark.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. An angry Steve Earle is something to behold, but watch out for the man when he's in love.
  2. 80
    It's all invigorating, wonderful stuff.
  3. 60
    Aside from the occasional mistep this is a finely balanced collection. [Nov 2007, p.92]
  4. Washington Square Serenade is an utterly unlistenable failure. [Fall 2007, p.87]

See all 25 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. RichR.
    9
    I love Steve Earle and his music, and nobody out there, for me, comes close to his ability to convey his emotions in such a literate, lyrical, and melodic manner. This album is full of great songs; all of his albums are full of great songs. He's one of America's most intelligent and soulful performers. He reminds me a little of Keith: with all the s*** he's put himself through, he probably should have been dead a long time ago, but he just gets better as he gets older. So, last but not least, I think he needs to do something with his hair, but I love him anyway. Expand
  2. GeorgeB.
    8
    Another fine recording from one of the most underated songwriters out there. Steve's biggest sin is is consistency, another fine recording with heartfelt lyrics underpinned with folk, rock, and beats. Expand
  3. BrandonS.
    7
    Much better on the third listen than the first. He's definitely not at the peak we saw him at from Train A Comin' through Jerusalem (Transcendental blues is a masterpiece among masterpieces), but Steve's an incredible songwriter, and this set is pretty solid. His sense of melody isn't quite as sharp here as on previous albums, but it definitely delivers the goods in a number of ways. Expand