Reviews
"...THE MOUNTAIN is like a self-portrait from before Earle was born, so pious it sounds like the vows of a Texas 12-step program, and so great that so what?...", "...THE MOUNTAIN is arguably one of the finest moments for both Steve Earle and The Del McCoury Band and as enjoyable to listen to as it probably was to make.", "On his first all-bluegrass album, Earle's anarchic spirit roughens up the normally polished McCoury Band, but the result is far from amateurish--rather, it's the sound of consummate pros having a blast..." - Rating: B+, 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...The 14 tracks here are the among the best Earle has written, staying true to the form's roots whilst adding a rock dynamic...", 3 1/2 Stars (out of 5) - "...this is a vigorous, invigorating album....No hits, plenty of runs, no errors.", Ranked #15 in Mojo Magazine's "Best of 1999.", Included in CMJ's "Triple A '99 Top 5" - "...Already the greatest country rocker of his time, Earle has joined up with the greates bluegrass family for MOUNTAIN...", 4 stars out of 5 -- "Whether kicking up a little dust on the rousing 'Texas Eagle' or slipping into more measured, elegiac mode on the outstanding title track, it stands up as one of his finest.", 3 stars out of 5 -- "Citing Bill Monroe as his major inspiration, Earle immersed himself in the rudiments and theory of the genre, and many of its finest songs' post-Great Depression dustbowl lyrical concerns.", "Dramatically Different....A Fine, Timeless Album."
