''Time the Conqueror'' is the 13th studio album by rock musician
Jackson Browne. It was released on September 23, 2008, by
Inside Recordings
Inside Recordings is a Los Angeles, California based independent record label founded by singer-songwriter Jackson Browne in 1999. Browne has stated that the mission of the label is to "create a haven for music that might not find a home in th ...
and was his first album of new material in six years. It peaked at number 2 on the Top Independent Albums chart and number 20 on
The Billboard 200
The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine and is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists ...
.
History
The album addresses the frustration Browne has with the
Bush Administration.
"Where Were You" questions the administration's handling of
Hurricane Katrina, while "The Drums of War" derides the U.S. Government's enthusiasm for the
Iraq War
{{Infobox military conflict
, conflict = Iraq War {{Nobold, {{lang, ar, حرب العراق (Arabic) {{Nobold, {{lang, ku, شەڕی عێراق ( Kurdish)
, partof = the Iraq conflict and the War on terror
, image ...
. Browne also contemplates love, travel, and the way the world has changed since The 60s.
The title track was number 50 on ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
''s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.
[The 100 Best Songs of 2008]
". ''Rolling Stone'' (December 25, 2008). Retrieved 2008-12-25 It is also his first album to reach the top 20 on the
''Billboard'' 200 since 1983's ''
Lawyers in Love
''Lawyers in Love'' is the seventh album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1983 (see 1983 in music). It reached number 8 on the Billboard Pop album chart and number 30 on the ''Billboard'' 200. It was Browne's fourth st ...
''.
Reception
''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' gave the album a generally positive review, stating that the album was "recorded in a style that evokes his recent solo acoustic work and ... leaves no need for overworked arrangements."
''
Mojo
Mojo may refer to:
* Mojo (African-American culture), a magical charm bag used in voodoo
Arts, entertainment and media Film and television
* MOJO HD, an American television network
* ''Mojo'' (play), by Jez Butterworth, made into a 1997 film
* ' ...
'' commented that "six years on from his last, with a white beard grown, Browne delivers elegantly considered weight and truth."
[No byline (Nov 2008)]
''Mojo''. volume unknown:119
While praising some individual songs, ''
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...
'' critic Thom Jurek remarked that Browne is "still trying to make sense of the world he wanted to live in and the one he actually does. Next time out, though, instead of worrying about his "enlightened" perspective, perhaps he should pay more attention to what made his earlier songs feel as if he actually owned one: craft."
Similarly, ''Uncut'' says "The title song contains some lovely imagery enwrapped in one of Browne’s signature ribbons of melody, while the following 'Off Of Wonderland' is a wistful look back on the early days, but both are presented in arrangements so bland it’s shocking they passed muster".
Music critic Mark Guarino of ''
No Depression'' called Browne "a first-rate depressive, but one who still won’t sour." and wrote that "given the anger in songs... the music doesn’t sound particularly pissed off... The ripped-from-the-headlines lyrics don’t necessarily hold up against a musical backdrop."
Track listing
All tracks composed by Browne except where noted:
# "Time the Conqueror" – 5:26
# "Off of Wonderland" – 3:40
# "The Drums of War" (Browne,
Mark Goldenberg
Mark Goldenberg (born April 10, 1952) is an American guitarist and songwriter, noted for his session work and composition of successful songs for Linda Ronstadt, the Pointer Sisters, and others.
Biography Early career
Raised in Chicago, Illin ...
, Mauricio Lewak, Kevin McCormick, Jeff Young) – 6:13
# "The Arms of Night" (Browne,
Danny Kortchmar
Daniel "Danny Kootch" Kortchmar (born April 6, 1946) is an American guitarist, session musician, producer and songwriter. Kortchmar's work with singer-songwriters such as Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, David Crosby, Carole King, David Cassidy, Gr ...
) – 4:34
# "Where Were You" (Browne, Goldenberg, Lewak, McCormick, Young) – 9:48
# "Going Down To Cuba" – 5:44
# "Giving That Heaven Away" – 6:24
# "Live Nude Cabaret" – 4:16
# "Just Say Yeah" – 5:50
# "Far from the Arms of Hunger" – 5:17
Personnel
*
Jackson Browne – vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic piano on "The Arms of Night," additional drums on "The Drums of War"
* Jeff Young – acoustic piano,
Fender Rhodes,
Hammond organ, harmony vocals on "Where Were You"
*
Mark Goldenberg
Mark Goldenberg (born April 10, 1952) is an American guitarist and songwriter, noted for his session work and composition of successful songs for Linda Ronstadt, the Pointer Sisters, and others.
Biography Early career
Raised in Chicago, Illin ...
– electric guitar
* Kevin McCormick – bass guitar
* Mauricio Lewak – drums
* Chavonne Morris – backing vocals
* Alethea Mills – backing vocals
Production
* Jackson Browne – producer
* Paul Dieter – producer, recording
*
Elliot Scheiner
Elliot Ray Scheiner (born 18 March 1947) is a music producer, mixer and engineer. Scheiner has received 27 Grammy Award nominations, eight of which he won, and he has been awarded four Emmy nominations, two Emmy Awards for his work with the Eagl ...
– mixing
*
Bob Ludwig – mastering
* Dustin Stanton – package design
* Frank W. Ockenfels 3 – photography
* Recorded and Mixed at
Groove Masters (Santa Monica, California).
* Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine).
References
{{Authority control
Jackson Browne albums
2008 albums
albums recorded at Groove Masters Studios