Review by LarryG
4 stars out of 4
The prerelease buzz focused on the fact this was the record that
took seven years to make and Car Wheels does have the perfect
sound that shows that there were plenty of retakes to make sure any
imperfections didn't make it to the final product, but the bottom
line is it's a great album. Like Mermaid Avenue, it pays respect
to country and folk predecessors while remaining a contemporary work.
The lyrics are as literate as any out there and the playing is very
strong but, for the most part, it's not just a stiff
academic exercise. Whether or not, Lucinda really gets down and dirty in real life, Can't Let Go and Right in Time. Drunken Angel and Car Wheels
are great poetry but the music keeps your attention as well. The
depth of the album is pretty amazing. The album opens
with gems but even later on, Metal Firecracker and Still I Long For
Your Kiss are great songs. Only a couple times does Car Wheels drag
when the music can't match the poetry of the lyrics.
Here's what others reviewers have to say:
"...Not only is CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD more perfect
than the two albums that preceded it...but it achieves its perfection
by being more imperfect -- not since the openhearted HAPPY WOMAN BLUES
has she gotten so much feeling on tape... 4.5 Stars (out of 5)"
Rolling Stone 7/9-23/98, pp.131-132
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