User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

This Old Road
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
This Old Road Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the 70-year-old singer-songwriter's first studio album in nearly a dozen years.

Top Track

This Old Road
Look at that old photograph Is it really you Smiling like a baby full of dreams Smiling ain't so easy now Some are coming true Nothing's simple as... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Everything... sounds struggled over, from his ruminative lyrics to that rode-hard-'n'-put-away-wet voice. [10 Mar 2006, p.68]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Mojo
    80
    For a studio album it sounds remarkably like a live one. [Mar 2006, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Amazon.com
    80
    His most consistently compelling release in decades.
  4. Slant Magazine
    70
    If the delivery is occasionally lacking, the writing, as anyone would expect, is This Old Road's selling point, and in that regard the album is undoubtedly a success.
  5. Billboard
    70
    As a singer, Kristofferson remains a hell of an actor, but there is a lot to love about this record. [11 Mar 2006]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Rolling Stone
    70
    One of the finest albums in his storied career. [9 Mar 2006, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Paste Magazine
    60
    Recall's Johnny Cash's recordings with Rick Rubin. [Apr/May 2006, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. RustinT
    Mar 15, 2006
    9
    The songs on This Old Road share the same structural simplicity as the classics he's wriitten and so many artists have covered, but The songs on This Old Road share the same structural simplicity as the classics he's wriitten and so many artists have covered, but Kristofferson is singing with such a deep authenticity, an austere growling intensity, that the effect is haunting and, at times, chilling. This is a masterful work, rich with rebellion, insight, and melancholy.… Expand
  2. [Anonymous]
    Nov 5, 2006
    9
    Kris and his guitar. No fluff. Honest. Gruff. Music at its purest. Find out why Johnny Cash called him the best song writer in Nashville. Kris and his guitar. No fluff. Honest. Gruff. Music at its purest. Find out why Johnny Cash called him the best song writer in Nashville. Kristofferson shines and cements his status as a legend as he rides off into the sunset.… Expand
  4. klassv
    Jun 4, 2006
    9
    deep and moving as life
  5. Alan
    Aug 1, 2006
    9
    I have been an avid fan of KK's music for well over 30 years. I have enjoyed each (original) album, always considering, until now, I have been an avid fan of KK's music for well over 30 years. I have enjoyed each (original) album, always considering, until now, "Kristofferson" to be his finest work. I have grown to appreciate that singer/songwriters of KK's calibre, should be presented in, what I call, an "intimate" environment. That is to say, a small venue where the performer and the audience can develop a "relationship". "This Old Road" does just that, by removing the "polish" of the fancy studio recordings and providing the listener the true emotion reflected in the voice and the music. I wonder how his earlier albums would have been received, if they had been presented in a similar fashion.… Expand
  6. LawrenceH
    Mar 20, 2006
    8
    While this work is so minimalist musically, bare bones spare in the songs' arrangements, the naked confessional voice of KK is haunting While this work is so minimalist musically, bare bones spare in the songs' arrangements, the naked confessional voice of KK is haunting in its unabashed honesty. The lyrics fit the musical settings perfectly. There is an underlying theme to these songs, equating metaphorically the sense of powerlessness and vulnerability coming with aging and from the increasing intolerance and conservatism of our rulers and leaders. KK's bourbon-soaked voice is pitched just right for these songs. Perhaps the CD, already short could have been pruned a song or two to a 32 minute outing. The CD does become a tad monotonous 3/4 through, but the last song, albeit bordering on the corny, is a winner and fine closer to this excellent work.… Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
All Current Music »