New West

Steve Earle’s latest – his first set of new tunes in four years – shares its title with the singer/songwriter’s forthcoming first novel, and with one of Hank Williams’ classic tunes. While, sonically, there are few similarities between them – other than both slotting as country – there are truths and miseries at the core of this T Bone Burnett-produced collection that would’ve made ole’ Hank proud. “The Gulf of Mexico” addresses life “in the days before the spill,” an age-old way of life now lost to human folly, while “Meet Me in the Alleyway” is a swampy, Dr. John-esque, bluesy vamp. “Heaven or Hell” is a big-beat duet with Earle’s wife, Allison Moorer, and the plaintive “The City,” Earle’s Grammy-winning contribution to HBO’s superb Treme, wraps up the set – one of Earle’s finest in years.