458 - John Prine - (eponymous)

I really enjoyed John Prine's forumla of folk/rock/country. The man has a great sense of humor and reminds me of what I used to like so much about Ray Stevens as a kid. The songs are simple and straight-forward. The vocals are in front of everything else; electric guitar and organ can play and you still won't miss a syllable of what John is singing. During my repeat listens last night and today, I kept imagining these songs as part of movie soundtracks during the 70's. Anything on the album would have fit right in on a Robert Altman movie, Smokey & the Bandit, Harold & Maude (if not for the Cat Stevens fixation), among many others.

This is (usually) fun, Americana music. While I enjoyed the album, my mind did drift a little more during the second half compared to the first (essentially everything after "Angel From Montgomery").

Songs I knew I liked: None

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Illegal Smile," "Pretty Good," "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore," and "Angel From Montgomery"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None I would ban from hearing again.