Washington Square Serenade
by Steve Earle
  • Record Label: New West
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2007
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. Boston Globe
    60
    It's still a decent album, but it's also an opportunity lost.
  2. PopMatters
    60
    Earle has come at us with another solid album that further cements his place in modern music as one of the great songwriters still swingin’ his hammer.
  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    Production by Dust Brother John King notwithstanding, it impacts just like any other Steve Earle record--lyrics first.
  5. Spin
    60
    He's reworking his own territory. Which is why we expected the song about sweaty illegals to have a better twisted ending than "all of is are immigrants," and the tune about meth addiction to fell, well, lived in. [Oct 2007, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Mojo
    60
    Aside from the occasional mistep this is a finely balanced collection. [Nov 2007, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Slant Magazine
    60
    Earle racks up more wins than losses on Washington Square Serenade, but while the high points are in line with his best work, he didn't dispose of his excess baggage before the move.
  8. Pitchfork
    50
    The rest of Washington Square Serenade ranges from good ('Days Aren't Long Enough,'a duet with wife Allison Moorer) to merely serviceable ('Red Is the Color').
  9. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Overall, there's very little that's alluring about this Serenade.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. BrandonS.
    Sep 28, 2007
    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 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.… Full Review »
  2. GeorgeB.
    Sep 28, 2007
    8
    Another fine recording from one of the most underated songwriters out there. Steve's biggest sin is is consistency, another fine 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.… Full Review »
  3. RichR.
    Sep 27, 2007
    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, 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.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »