Today we have John Prine's debut John Prine. Released in 1971, the album is considered a classic singer-songwriter album. The album is mostly acoustic with country instrumentation. Prine and his debut, which is his first or second most famous album, got renewed attention in 2020 when he was one of the first famous people to die from COVID-19.
Prine sings like he's a little unsure of himself--I read that Prine himself has a hard time listening to the album because of it. But he's already a intelligent, thoughtful lyricist: "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You into Heaven Anymore" is a critique of those who support veterans but do nothing to oppose war and even though I don't love the melody, the honest, empathetic lyrics about drug addiction on "Sam Stone" will not be forgotten by anyone who hears them. He's also a confident guitar strummer with a natural knack for melodicism--"Spanish Pipedream" and "Paradise"--which, along with his powerful lyrics, is good because the young and inexperienced voice that Prine occasionally reveals himself to be can ruin an album. Instead, whenever his voice quivers with uncertainty, we get an engrossing, charming, and rare glimpse into the unnerving world of starting in the music business. It humanizes Prine too, who seems like a Bob Dylan you'd could have a beer with. A-
