Customer Reviews

Perfectly Good Guitar

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Perfectly Good Guitar," released in 1993, finds John Hiatt flexing his rock 'n' roll muscles. He can still find a balance with slower, folkier, or bluesy numbers--which are also perfect vehicles for his throaty, nasal vocals--but it's the stomping, harder offerings that really stand out.

The opening track, "Something Wild" gets the album off to an explosive start, complete with Hiatt's cougar-like howls and snarls and his syncopated rhythm guitar. The title track is equally powerful and raw, with an ominous chord progression that reflects the singer's anger toward other artists who disrespect or mistreat his favorite sacred instrument.

"Buffalo River Home" is one of those in-between songs that manages to be both rocking and folky at the same time. "Angel" is terrific, but "Cross My Fingers" might be the album's high point. The song manages to be haunting in spite of its breakneck pace. "Permanent Hurt" is also toe-tapping and catchy, proving Hiatt hasn't lost his knack for insightfulness and wit.

As far as the ballads go, "Blue Telescope" is quite memorable, and perfectly placed among the faster numbers.

An all-around solid album, and a must for any John Hiatt aficionado. If you've never owned a Hiatt disc, give the guy a chance. His clever lyrics and distinctive melodies will surely pull you in.

You can listen to Perfectly Good Guitar all of the way through, every song, not skipping a one. Something Wild, Straight Outta Time, Perfectly Good Guitar, Buffalo River Home, Angel, Wreck of the Barbie Ferrari, When You Hold Me Tight, Permanent Hurt, Loving a Hurricane, are all rockin'. The mmm-mmm-mmm at the beginning of Old Habits is just sensual, leading you into a strip-it-bare stolidly mournful song. This album is one of his best.

There are certain CDs - maybe 10 in a lifetime - that if you could know ahead of time the joy and emotion they would bring you, you would gladly pay $100's of dollars for. For me, this is one of them. Like another reviewer, I bought it on the basis of hearing "Perfectly Good Guitar", and ended up finding there were 5 other songs better than a perfectly great song in its own right. The album is a rocker, but also one of the most lyrical albums I can think of, which is what gives it its lasting power. This was my first Hiatt CD, and has lead to the purchase of 7 others. All of them are good, but none as good as this one.

John Hiatt has outdone himself with this album. I first heard "Perfectly Good Guitar" on a classic rock station that also threw in new stuff by established artist. Wow what a song. I bought the C.D. immediately. When I put it in, little did I know that the title track, the first song I heard off the album, was not the best. "Straigh Outta Time", "Permanent Hurt", "Something Wild", "Buffalo River Home", and "Angel" all top the title song. I recently saw Hiatt unplugged in Ashland, Ky. at a little theatre. He was absolutely awesome. If you get only one Hiatt album, make sure it's this one. Then go with Slow Turning and then Little Head. He is one of the finest artist out there that has yet to get his due. Let's make sure that happens.

Ask a fan of John Hiatt's about their favorite Hiatt CD, and there's probably a 90% chance he or she will pick one of the "trilogy" - "Slow Turning", "Bring the Family", or "Stolen Moments". These are all great albums, but the argument could be made that "Perfectly Good Guitar" is Hiatt at his best. Hiatt always infuses his songs with a sense of fun even when singing about the pitfalls of life, but he really seem to cut loose on this album with some terrific guitar work and some of his most clever lyrics. The title song is one of Hiatt's best - a rock anthem that would be rated with "Born to Run" and other legendary rock songs if Hiatt got the credit he deserves. This is as good an album as any to pick for an introduction to Hiatt - his clever lyrics will captivate "newcomers" and leave them wanting more.

John Hiatt's loudest album, you've got to be in the mood for it. When I'm not, I just pick out the exceptional tracks and leave the rest for a loud day. The title track is one of those: a quintessential Hiatt song with howling guitars and sassy, unusual lyrics. "Old Habits" is the best song on the album though, and almost worth the price on its own. Hiatt gets into an unmatched swamp-groove on this track. Perfect. The rest are mostly good, if sometimes uncharacteristically lacking in light and shade. Only "The Wreck of the Barbie Ferrari" makes me want to skip on to the next track. So, if you like the Hiatt style, and can stand the extra noise, you'll probably like this well enough, but it wouldn't be my choice of your first ever Hiatt album.

This is probably the most rock-oriented album John hiatt has made. There is a sloppy, hard-rocking, Crazy Horse feel to a lot of the songs. He also mixes in a few slower songs, and there are his usual clever lyrics throughout. The title song and "Wreck of the Barbie Ferrari" are both a lot of fun. "Old Habits" is a great bluesy song that seems ripe to be covered by one of the blues greats.

The critics weren't too impressed when John Hiatt released "Perfectly Good Guitar" back in 1993.
And it is true that the album is somewhat inconsistent, with some song which don't really hold up over time. And the band isn't The Goners, either, and they don't quite lay down the groove that Sonny Landreth & Co. do on albums like "Slow Turning", "The Tiki Bar Is Open", and "Beneath This Gruff Exterior".

But "PGG" does feature a handful of songs from Hiatt's top shelf, like "Straight Outta Time", the wry title track, the ballad "Blue Telescope", and the superb, folkish "Buffalo River Home".
Again, there are too many unfocused second-rate song to chew your way through here, and the band is disappointing when you've just listened to one of Hiatt's albums with the Goners. But unless you already have them on one of his various compilation albums, it is worth buying "Perfectly Good Guitar" just for "Buffalo River Home" and the title track. And if you're lucky like me, your pressing will also contain a 13th track, the slow rock lament "I'll Never Get Over You", which was re-recorded a decade later in a harder-rocking version for inclusion on the album "Beneath This Gruff Exterior".
Lucky, or possibly just a European. Anyway, 3 1/2 stars for this one.

I like John Hiatt. Always have. I like a lot of different artists and groups. That being said, most CDs being put out have a couple of songs I like, most are OK and some songs I would have left off the release. This CD however is one of the few that just demands to be heard and appreciated. There isn't any filler, no bad cuts, no crap - just great, great songs.

When I first heard the CD I was totally blown away - and I still am when I put this on. When I am listening to this CD everything gets put on hold until it is over with - it's that good.

If this CD is not in your collection, what are you waiting for? Get it now.

I must admit I felt let down when I first bought this cd, expecting to be blown away after "Stolen Moments" but with lines like that it's hard to stay disappointed for long. Yes, there are several throw-aways included here but 5 songs make this one better than average by a long shot. The title cut, "Buffalo River Home," "Blue Telescope," "Permanent Hurt," and "Loving a Hurricane" are easily worth the cost. Of all those "Buffalo River Home" deserves to be considered one of his all-time best.