Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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Alan Jackson

  • Don't Rock the Jukebox [Arista, 1991] Choice Cuts
  • The Greatest Hits Collection [Arista, 1995] Choice Cuts
  • Under the Influence [Arista, 1999] Dud
  • Drive [Arista, 2001] ***
  • Greatest Hits Volume II [Arista, 2003]  
  • What I Do [Arista, 2004] Choice Cuts
  • Good Time [Arista Nashville, 2008] Choice Cuts

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Don't Rock the Jukebox [Arista, 1991]
"Someday" Choice Cuts

The Greatest Hits Collection [Arista, 1995]
"Gone Country"; "I Don't Even Know Your Name"; "Someday"; "Livin' on Love" Choice Cuts

Under the Influence [Arista, 1999] Dud

Drive [Arista, 2001]
when did he become human? I missed it--and I heard his roots album many, many times ("Drive [For Daddy Gene]," "Where Were You [When the World Stopped Turning]") ***

Greatest Hits Volume II [Arista, 2003]
Too many country artists who start strong fall off artistically as they work their market niche. So Alan Jackson's improvement is a triumph--his writing only peaked after he was sure his niche would listen. "Little Man" is populism without ressentiment, "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" makes me wish my dad had risked his Chevy on me, and "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" could end up one of the few 9/11 remembrances emotionally evenhanded enough for Americans of differing convictions to share. Then there's the forgettable bonus disc, which demonstrates by contrast why some hits deserve to be. [Recyclables]  

What I Do [Arista, 2004]
"The Talkin' Song Repair Blues," "To Do What I Do" Choice Cuts

Good Time [Arista Nashville, 2008]
"Small Town Southern Man" Choice Cuts

See Also