Earle Rides the Rails of a Comeback

STEVE EARLE

“Train a Comin’ ”

Winter Harvest

* * * 1/2

In his classic 1986 album “Guitar Town,” this Texas singer-songwriter expressed blue-collar dreams and frustrations with such conviction and craft that rock critics hailed him as the Springsteen of country music.

The praise felt good to Earle after years of seeing his work largely ignored in Nashville, so it was only natural for him to begin employing the anthem-prone commentary and harder textures of rock.

While Earle’s post-”Guitar Town” albums gained attention in pop-rock circles, the music didn’t sound as distinctive or true--and his loss of identity as a musician in the ‘90s was compounded by personal problems, including drugs, jail and, finally, a treatment program.

With his head cleared and his hopes restored, Earle returns in this acoustic collection to his country roots--which isn’t to say to the slick sound of today’s country charts.

In his convincing vocals and richly detailed songs, Earle looks at life and life’s lessons with a bruised optimism reminiscent of prime Waylon and Willie. The best songs, some of which date to the ‘70s, are restless tales of lingering, faded dreams.

After nine years, this is the real follow-up to “Guitar Town.” It’s a point that Earle shouldn’t forget when the major labels start knocking on his door again.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).