I've given this new Jackson Browne album about 6-7 listens before writing, as his music requires time to allow the lyrics to penetrate. So now that I've put in the time, I've come to regard this as one of Browne's strongest albums. As usual, the music is very well played, tastefully arranged, and well produced, with a nice organic sound overall. The album rocks at times, but also often harkens back to his folkier roots. More guitars than usual, fewer keyboards. There is a notable absence of the international sounds that were much more prominent on his last few albums, with the exception of a subtle reggae flavor on the gentle "For Taking The Trouble". The album's standout track is the haunting, bluesy "Casino Nation", a searing indictment of American politics and consumerism. Yes, we've heard this before from Browne ("Information Wars", "The Word Justice", "Lives In The Balance"), but seldom so powerfully expressed as here. A few sample lyrics: "Camera crews search for clues among the detritus, and entertainment shapes the land the way the hammer shapes the hand"; "All those not on TV only have themselves to blame, they don't quite seem to understand the way the hammer shapes the hand"; "And everywhere the good prepare for perpetual war, and let their weapons shape the plan the way the hammer shapes the hand". Another favorite is the closing song, "My Stunning Mystery Companion", a tender love song that sounds like the happy sequel to "Late For The Sky". It reminds me a bit of Springsteen's "My Beautiful Reward". I also like the eight-minute long "Sergio Leone", Browne's tribute to the filmmaker who gave us those classic Eastwood spaghetti westerns. "Don't You Want To Be There" is a particularly lovely ballad. The title track is an amusing tale of daring his female companion to disrobe as he drives her home, and being surprised that she takes him up on his challenge. "The Night Inside Me" contains the line "I navigate the inner reaches of my disarray", which sounds to me like a great description of Browne's whole career. This album isn't going to win Browne many new converts, but those of us who are already fans will find much to like about it.

Randy Newman has a song on his "Bad Love" album in which the narrator complains his music sounds just like it use to but only not as good. Well, Jackson Browne's music 2002 sounds alot like any number of his earlier releases. "The Naked Ride Home" doesn't mark a radical change for Browne. But unlike Newman's narrator this collection of songs are among his most meaningful and best produced. His music isn't so much changing as it is growing more expansive. Yes, the arrangements bring to mind a mixture of his last two albums "I'm Alive" and "Looking East." The sound quality is quite good, it is easy to pick out the different instruments, and the arrangements are quite complimentary to the songs. What's he singing about? Working on relationships, being true to one's self and not wrecking other peoples' lives, and taking a few more stands against the principalities and powers. Lyrically, Browne is creative, poetic without being pretentious. The subject of his songs are traveling farther and farther, deeper and deeper. On "For Taking the Trouble," the narrator imagines two grandmas up in heaven talking about the relationship described in the song; one of the best moments in popular music this year. The title cut, the song just mentioned above, "Casino Nation," "Sergio Leone" are fine songs. But the stunning tune is the next to last one, "Don't You Want to Be There," another picture of heaven, or at least of redemption where Browne sings, "Those you have wronged, you know, You need to let them know some way...Those who have wronged you, know You'll have to let them go someday." The lines are punctuated by a guitar and keyboard line that is just right and as the song moves on a trumpet piece refinforces the lyrics. Jackson and the crew were wise enough to let the song breathe for awhile near the end, an extended instrumental that is moving and powerful at the same time. This album probably won't be on the charts high up there like "Hold Out," but musically and lyrically it is a beautiful album. I hope he enjoyed making it because it is very rich listening experience.

Jackson Browne released "Looking East" in 1996. It was a disappointing album. The following year "The Best Of Jackson Browne" was finally released. That collection was another disappointment, due to the number of essential songs that were missing. I nearly didn't buy "The Naked Ride Home" but I'm glad I changed my mind. I expected the title song to metaphorically describe how his lover bared her soul to him. In fact, the song related how his female companion took off her clothes and literally rode home naked with him! The playful mood doesn't last long, as the next song describes his dark side. "Night in my eyes, the night inside me, here where the shadows gather to decide me." Jackson Browne, the liberal political activist, resurfaces on "Casino Nation." Again, I expected the song to deal mainly with the proliferation of Indian casinos all over America. Instead, it's a scathing indictment of both our celebrity obsessed culture and the buildup of our military weaponry.

The protagonist in the song "About My Imagination" could be considered a precursor to "Doctor My Eyes." He hasn't learned how not to cry, for he is young, and the boundaries of his imagination are limitless. "I keep my eyes open and try to see this life in terms of possibility." The album closes out on a strong note with "My Stunning Mystery Companion." Rather than coyly brag about the latest fashion model or movie star he's dating, this song relates the basic truth that real love helps us get through life. "What with all my expectations long abandoned, my solitary nature notwithstanding, you're the one who pulled me out of my crash landing. My stunning mystery companion." In addition to the insightful lyrics, the music and the production are superb. "The Naked Ride Home" exceeded my expectations in every way. It is the best album Jackson Browne has released in several years.

So you still can't get enough of Jackson Browne's 1993 album "I'm Alive", eh? And "Late for the Sky" still sounds just as fresh today as it did in the Fall of 1974? If those two sentences are spot on for you, then it is highly likely that you will love "The Naked Ride Home". Jackson has had a long and storied life and musical career, but he just seems to wax brilliant when he writes music about relationships gone askew. If the Jackson Browne you know and love comes in the form of pop hits like "Doctor My Eyes", "That Girl Could Sing", or "Running On Empty", you will probably not be thrilled with this release. "The Naked Ride Home" seems to complete a trilogy of astounding introspective albums centered on less than ideal relationships started in "Late for the Sky" and peaked in "I'm Alive". Jackson maintains superb musical focus here by putting almost all the album's energy into his piano and heartfelt singing without going completely accoustic. Both "Never Stop" and "The Night Inside Me" could easily make their home on easy-listening pop radio while "Casino Nation" and "Walking Town" easily update Jackson's reputation for political songwriting. The showstopper on this album is "My Stunning Mystery Companion". What the cut "Late for the Sky" started and "Sky Blue and Black" developed, "My Stunning Mystery Companion" completes. The wistfulness heard here in the interplay between the electric guitar notes and piano notes is absolutely remarkable. Jackson's trademark lyrics (provided in the booklet) will continue to blow you away with their thoughtfulness and maturity if you make the effort to ponder them. All in all, he will make most people happy to have the gift of hearing.

The bottom line: Definitely pick this up if you enjoy the thinking side of Jackson Browne. Beware if you are looking for "Running On Empty, Part II".

For those of us who have grown tired of reviewers who begin each assessment of post-1974 Jackson Browne CDs with, "This one is no Late For the Sky," Browne's new work provides an answer. Most of the criticism of Browne's music after The Pretender--and rightly so--has centered on two issues. Despite the relatively long silences between CDs, the finished products often seem rushed and inconsistent. Second, whether on long ballads or songs of a political bent, Browne's lyrics and music can be heavy-handed. He can, at times, be his own worst enemy.

The Naked Ride Home is a CD that almost entirely addresses both issues. What one finds here is a group of well-crafted songs of understatement--a style that allows Browne's talents to shine for what they are. The best examples are "Don't You Want to Be There," "For Taking the Trouble," and the musically impressive "Sergio Leone." The opening title track offers an example of the playfulness of its composer tempered by age and experience: the last two lines, subtly presented, turn the song on its head. Two of the songs provide examples of tracks that would not have worked without the artist's willingness to work within his limits: the political commentary, "Casino Nation," and the quietly hopeful, "My Stunning Mystery Companion."

Ironically, the single, "The Night Inside Me," is the least inventive of the tracks and will probably get the most air time. But, for those fans willing to listen beyond what the radio has to offer, this CD is a worthwhile investment.