• Record Label: New West
  • Release Date: Feb 17, 2015
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Mar 18, 2015
    40
    With a couple of exceptions, Earle's songwriting never reaches the peak of his previous work.
  2. Mar 6, 2015
    80
    This is a great country album to boot: full of great craft and guile, no small bitterness and a cracking production from Ray Kennedy.
  3. Q Magazine
    Feb 25, 2015
    60
    Terraplane pays tribute to the greats and puts 60-year-old Earle's own slant on living with a broken heart. [Apr 2015, p.99]
  4. Feb 25, 2015
    63
    It's good for what it is--better than it needs to be, in fact--yet what it is is only a fraction of what it could be, if only Earle would stop trying to tidy up his inspirations.
  5. Feb 20, 2015
    80
    Maybe folks were tired of Earle's happy songs, but if you want to hear the man have a good time while kicking up a fuss in the studio, Terraplane is a ride well worth taking.
  6. Magnet
    Feb 19, 2015
    70
    Earle doesn't try to reinvent the blues, but he wears them well. [No. 117, p.53]
  7. Feb 18, 2015
    80
    With the skilful assistance of his longtime comrades the Dukes and able production from R.S. Field (Webb Wilder, Buddy Guy, John Mayall), he concentrates on the genre here, with impressive results.
  8. Feb 18, 2015
    80
    Terraplane, though, is the sound of a man utterly rejuvenated.
  9. 90
    Earle is far too musically adventurous to linger too long in any one genre, and kudos to him for that, but Terraplane is such a standout that we can only hope he makes his way back around to the blues relatively soon.
  10. Feb 18, 2015
    60
    Terraplane is a respectful homage by a gifted singer and songwriter, but it only intermittently provides the pleasures of a topnotch blues record.
  11. Feb 17, 2015
    91
    Earle plumbs the carnal underpinnings of the blues: feasting on what can be, never mourning what’s done. It is frisky, with musicians thumping and plucking in what feels almost like a jam.
  12. Feb 17, 2015
    70
    Terraplane is less a soul-searcher than a sturdy vehicle, built to chug through hard times.
  13. Mojo
    Feb 13, 2015
    60
    Nobody's expecting Steve Earle & The Dukes to break new ground, but when they break sweat, Terraplane comes to life. [Mar 2014, p.100]
  14. Feb 12, 2015
    60
    Terraplane's saving grace is that it's fun to listen to and full of swagger.
  15. Classic Rock Magazine
    Feb 11, 2015
    70
    The best moments aren't the straightforward boogie tunes--some of the album sounds like a backwater George Thorogood--but on the numbers where other influences creep in. [Mar 2015, p.93]
  16. Feb 11, 2015
    67
    Terraplane comes across as a mostly pleasant surprise.
  17. Uncut
    Feb 11, 2015
    70
    It's beautifully played, and Earle's songs are respectful of their heritage while (mostly) sufficiently confident and idiosyncratic to transcend pastiche. It's just difficult to believe this is the best imaginable use of Earle's time and talent. [Mar 2015, p.72]
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. Feb 18, 2015
    2
    I cannot understand why he goes back to this blues style,it makes this a very boring album and no good track can be found,so move on peopleI cannot understand why he goes back to this blues style,it makes this a very boring album and no good track can be found,so move on people not worth listening at all.... Full Review »