The Naked Ride Home

Jackson Browne

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Original Release Date: September 24, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B00006IK19
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,066 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

One of the most eloquent singer-songwriters of the '70s heyday of the movement, Jackson Browne has always been a master of deciphering what is written on the human heart. On his first outing in six years, Browne again waxes autobiographical, wandering through his extensive interior landscape and transforming his pain into art. But after three decades, his songs of elusive love lost and found have become a little bit wry and world-weary. Witness the bittersweet title song, where the details are so crisp and well drawn that it's difficult to believe that he didn't just lift them from his own life. Similarly, "The Night Inside Me" returns to some of the wrenching themes of 1975's Late for the Sky with fresh anger. But it is Jackson Browne's turbulent romantic history--his elevation of the small, significant details that make up a life, or more poignantly, show one unraveling--that defines his work, and which is in full flower here. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description

2002 release & first album of all new songs from the singer/songwriter since 1996's Looking East. Ten tracks, including the first single, 'The Night Inside Me'. Elektra.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Jackson Browne Album Ranks Among His Best, September 24, 2002

By	Eric R. Last "misterrockobscurities" (San Bruno, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Ride Home, September 26, 2002

By A Customer

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.

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Return To Form, October 4, 2002

By	Mike King "Michael A. King" (Taunton, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.