Who would have thought that the most vocal opposition to George W Bush would come straight outta Texas and Tennessee? John Walker's Blues, Earle's empathetic song about the American Muslim convert John Walker Lindh, made clear his position, but where the album that contained it (2002's Jerusalem) was occasionally despairing, The Revolution Starts Here is as defiant as the title suggests. "F*** the FBI! F*** the CIA!" he sings on F the CC, later admitting he's "getting a little nervous". Fortunately for his fans (and CIA operatives assigned to monitor his activities), Earle's decision to become America's conscience hasn't interfered with his songwriting abilities, here showcased on Comin' Around, a duet with Emmylou Harris, and the heartbreaking I Thought You Should Know.
Artemis