To say they don't make albums like suggests the country landscape was once littered with records as loose, lewd, literate, and lively as this. Certainly, has some antecedents, notably the songs of and the record's namesake , a legendary country songwriter whose career spanned from 's "Burning Love" in 1972 to ' signature "Goodbye Earl" in 2000. uses the latter as the foundation for her , a collection of character sketches and stories that depict a small town filled with large characters. To bring those personas to life, she brings in a large cast of guests, ranging from collaborators and co-writers and to , , and , whose serves as the ringleader producer. The songs are tied together by commercials touting the businesses that occupy this bustling small town, sketches that emphasize the wit and mess that give the album its distinctive character. veers away from the muscular rock that underpinned and, to a lesser extent, , in favor of a rambling, shambling strum-along that emphasizes a collective voice while also echoing the progressive country of . Put simply, it's a delight; it's filled with deftly rendered vignettes and sly jokes, all delivered with heart by and frequent foil , whose colorful drawl ensures the punch lines slide by easily. Maybe doesn't sound like many records in 2022 -- although the fact that it overflows with kindred spirits shows isn't on her own island -- but the key to its appeal is that it creates its own little world, rooted somewhat in the past and addressing the present yet occupying its own distinct space. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine