There is a reason this CD is #1 right now!
I heard Hayes Carll on XMRadio twice and bought the CD - it's outstanding. I saw him in Tampa recently and he is funny, sincere and very talented. Buy and enjoy!!

Good, solid country, but nothing new or fresh here
Hays Carl is a story teller for sure, and he has a fine eye for catching off-kilter details and nuances that make his characters seem as real as a whiff of warm beer on a morning with a bad hangover. But after half-a-dozen spins, I'm having trouble connecting with the music on "Trouble in Mind." Drunken Poet's Dream seems strangely flat despite its being collaboration with Ray Wylie Hubbard. She Left Me for Jesus wears thin after a few listens. As for everything in between, it's good, solid country with a bit of a modern flair, all well-played, but not really anything new or fresh for its genre.

And about the sound quality of this recording . . . yep, it's not up to the standards on any of the half dozen or so recordings I have from this label.

Houston, we have a poet...
The title I stole from another review I read of this CD. I've had this disc in heavy rotation for about 2 weeks now. Excellent stuff. More country than anything on country radio and yet still rockin' as well. If weren't for that geezer show "Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood" I would have missed out on this.

Laid Back Fun
It's nice to enjoy an album that is just plain fun with great guitar and fantastic band playing perfectly with a singer with fascinating lyrics that sometimes make me laugh out loud. If you enjoy a touch of country mixed with a touch of rock and you have a free spirit, this one is truly for you. I particularly love "She Left Me for Jesus", the humor that glides through the song of a poor fellow whose girlfriend tells him she has become saved by Jesus with him confused is pure knock out funny. And a "Girl Downtown" about a simple boy meeting simply girl with plunking guitar is another fun one that is just entertaining fun that sounds great particular with backing vocals that sound like a mature Dolly Parton. There are beautiful songs as well such as "It's a Shame" about two potential lovers that somehow just missed. I played this album several times and I have never tired of Carll's voice , he matches the empathy of whatever song he sings, joy or sorrow, he sings just the way the song writer wants it sung. My only regret is that Carll is not touring in VA!

keep goin
love hayes, just wish he'd play my way. i guess i don't have the ear like some of the other reviewers cause i didn't have sound issues.