After a few brilliant early records,
Eaglesmith
decided to more or less coast on the formula he had perfected with
Lipstick, Lies, and Gasoline
.
50 Odd Dollars
showed, however, that the trailer-trash shtick had already worn thin, which makes the improved
Falling Stars and Broken Hearts
all the more welcome. Wisely,
has chosen to alter his sound a bit, and although it takes awhile for the album to pick up, the loping
country
ballad
"Ordinary Guy"
touches off a string of winners that include the retro-rocker
"Cumberland County,"
the atmospheric
"Soft on the Shoulder,"
and
"Cold War."
In general, the
elements of this album are more traditional than
's past efforts, and while the substance may not be new, the fresh surroundings give a second chance to some of his more tired obsessions. ~ Jim Smith