Jackson Browne fans are accustomed to tender vocals, swinging melodies, and a clean cut sound. Time the Conqueror meets most of these expectations. Since his heyday in the 1970s, Browne has continued to produce a steady stream of ballad-heavy albums, but Time the Conqueror is his first new album in six years.
Browne picks up the pace with grooving beats and politically-motivated lyrics, chronicling some of the events of recent years. “The Drums of War” adds a gospel twang to backup singers and a demanding drumbeat, while criticizing the Bush administration’s war policy. Browne sings, “Why is impeachment not on the table? / We better stop them while we are able.” And because most of his lyrics are phrased as questions, his words come off as more of a heartbreaking plea for change than a complaint. He further drives home the point on “Where Were You,” a clear condemnation of the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. The electric guitar riff is aggressive, and the chorus is catchy and full of sound.
But even with politically aware lyrics and an urgent message, Time the Conqueror often sounds a little generic. The songs are marked by the issues that they represent—Hurricane Katrina, war, and hunger—and Browne is certainly not the first singer-songwriter to voice his concern. But after all, Jackson Browne is not trying to change the face of music; he’s just speaking his mind.
The title track is quintessential Browne—melodious piano paints beautiful strains in the background, while his voice takes on a gravelly depth. He returns to his roots on “The Arms of the Night” and again on “Giving that Heaven Away,” in which he waxes nostalgic, singing, “I’m lookin’ round for that 60s sound/those days are gone/and all of those acid-dropping, world-stopping, beat-bopping freaks are just hanging on.” “Going Down to Cuba” is a folky, beautiful ballad reminiscent of James Taylor’s “Mexico,” and one of the most melodically strong tracks on the album.
Taken as a whole, Time the Conqueror is a solid release and opens up new alleyways of social change for Browne that got lost in his sentimental love ballads. When he does return to a pop sound, it is refreshing, with just a hint of nostalgia coming through in the Supremes-esque backup vocals, tribal drumbeat, and 60s harmonies. If you’re new to his work, his earlier albums are classic, but Time the Conqueror is a good pick if you’re already a fan looking to expand your collection.
Voice’s Choices: “Going Down to Cuba,” “Where Were You”
