Product Description
In his strongest work, {|Freedy Johnston|} sounds like an enlightened amateur in the best possible ways -- as meticulous as the production was on albums like {|This Perfect World|} (1994), {|Never Home|} (1997), and {|Blue Days, Black Night|} (1999), there was just enough looseness in his foggy Midwestern voice and the crannies of his songwriting to suggest he was alive to the possibilities of his eccentric, heartfelt world view without being reined in. With this in mind, saying 2022's {|Back on the Road to You|} is one of the most professional albums of {|Johnston|}'s career might seem like something short of a compliment. This is the work of a genuinely gifted songwriter with a singular outlook, full of dry wit and a gentle appreciation for the world's loving oddballs, and producer {|Eric Corne|} has brought in some inspired sidemen who give the arrangements a tone that finds a balance between soulful passion and crisp workmanship. For most singer/songwriters, {|Corne|}'s production would be just what the doctor ordered, but in this case, he's smoothed out just a few rough spots that would have given {|Johnston|}'s music a welcome bit of texture. Songs about a guy in love with his robot (Madeline's Eye), wondering about your girlfriend's day job (There Goes a Brooklyn Girl), and a day in the life of a man who's more than a little accident prone (Tryin' to Move On) confirm that what made {|Johnston|}'s lyrical voice so special is all here; however, the production doesn't quite mesh with the small-town sense of wonder that he's never quite shaken more than three decades after leaving Kansas for New York City. All of this is to say that {|Back on the Road to You|} isn't a great {|Freedy Johnston|} album. Is it a good {|Freedy Johnston|} album? Absolutely. His lyrical and melodic skills, his eye for details, and his vocals (which face off regular-guy observations with a big-city literacy) are as strong as ever. {|Johnston|} has the respect of his peers, and the guest vocal spots from {|Aimee Mann|}, {|Susanna Hoffs|}, and {|Susan Cowsill|} are fine and welcome examples of gifted artists honoring one another. {|Back on the Road to You|} isn't {|Freedy Johnston|} at his best, but it's more than good enough to merit your attention; given how infrequently he releases fresh music, having a new LP from him is certainly worthy of celebration. ~ Mark Deming
