Released: 1974
Tracks: Pencil Thin Mustache; Come Monday; Ringling, Ringling; Brahma Fear; Brand New Country Star; Livingston’s Gone to Texas; The Wino and I Know; West Nashville Grand Ballroom Gown; Saxophones; Ballad of Spider John; God’s Own Drunk
Best track: Ballad of Spider John
Track to skip: none
Buffett’s unofficial 2nd album. This one is a bit more country than White Sportcoat. It seems like he got kinda stuck in this country rut for a while. It’s not that bad, it’s just that this album is less eclectic than the previous one. That said, there are still some incredible songs on here. The main singles were Pencil Thin Mustache and the big hit single Come Monday. I love both of these songs. So, is this album worth it to get if you only have the Greatest Hits? Yeah, it is. I mean, besides the previous mentioned duo, you get Ringling, Brahma Fear, the excellent Ballad of Spider John and the essential God’s Own Drunk. Livingston’s is a great song too.
So yeah, most of these songs are damn good. When I first got this I was thrown a curve ball by the mostly country feel. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. It grows on you, that’s for sure. The thing that’s always present is Buffett’s great songwriting, so in a sense, it doesn’t matter what style he’s doing. It’s still good stuff. I forgot to mention The Wino and I Know; man, another great song. I think my opinion of this album has just risen about 10 points in the course of listening to this. The only weaker songs on here are Brand New Country Star, West Nashville… and Saxophones, but they’re not bad at all. Country Star and Saxophones are both pretty silly, but I like Buffett’s silly songs so I don’t have a problem with them.
Special mention goes out to Ballad of Spider John. Although not written by Buffett (W. A. Ramsey is the author), it’s such a great song. I think it’s just so good. The album closes with God’s Own Drunk a song that my words don’t do justice to; you have to hear it for yourself. It’s a great way to end the album. Yeah, this is an album that might throw you on first listen. It did for me. However, tonight while listening to it I ‘got it’. Good album, really good album.
Rating: 87
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