Customer Rating:  
Summary: Sounds dated already.
Comment: I have all of Jame's albums and for the most part love his work. I grew up in a small rural town and in many ways, he really weaves a nice story together out of nothing no-name towns, backwoods roads, and the people who live in those places. His past albums are great because while there is a sort of political,satirical edge to them but the politics doesn't take over the music or do any preaching. In my opinion, Saint Mary of the Woods is his best album to date. But with the release of Childish things, he sort of took a turn into being more political in a blunt, in you face sort of way.
Perhaps some people like that. But as for me, I don't care for it because since his latest album is specifically about the current President and Vice President, the album already sounds dated and old. When you make an album about specific politics, then it has a limited lifespan of relevancy. Especially since this album was released at the tail end of the Bush White House.
Lastly, the album doesn't have any heart. I don't feel like the lyrics are as creative as some of his older work. When I buy his albums, they always grow on me to where they become like old friends. He has a gift of writing words that you really care about more so than the music. Not so in this one. I've owned it for months now and still find myself skipping tracks. So for me, this album was a dud. Sorry James. I still enjoy your work, but this one didn't do it for me.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A great CD
Comment: This was my first James McMurtry albulm but it won't be my last. Great songs and lyrics. Country music the way it ought to be played.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fine music and fine stories
Comment: For music listeners who enjoy interesting stories about real people and situations, along the lines of Steve Earle, James McMurtry's "Just Us Kids" offers a feast. Just don't expect to come away from the feast feeling upbeat. One listen to "Fireline Road" or "Ruby and Carlos" will cure any tendency toward optimism about the human condition. But the first snarling guitar lines of "Bayou Tortuous" promise fine blues-tinged roots rock and the album delivers on that promise. Hints of all kinds of American music abound but at the same time the sound is fresh. Four stars because his baritone vocals have limited range and tend toward monotone.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Songs like Dad's books.
Comment: The apple doesn't fall from the tree as far as talent goes. Larry's lucky James writes songs and not novels. Great music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Still Good After All These Years
Comment: He has something to day... A little deeper than some previous music, but very powerful. Worth a listen!
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