Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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Ricky Van Shelton

  • Wild-Eyed Dream [Columbia, 1987] B
  • Greatest Hits Plus [Columbia, 1992] ***

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Wild-Eyed Dream [Columbia, 1987]
In his white cowboy hat and sleeveless undershirt, he's as honest as George Strait with a day job--except maybe when picking an album title, because like most neotraditionalists he's too damned tasteful to stay wild-eyed long. As I hope he's noticed, the outlandish "Crime of Passion" is his ticket to ride. Guarantee you it will be remembered when all the small perfect moments surrounding it have passed into good-taste limbo. B

Greatest Hits Plus [Columbia, 1992]
just handsome and mellifluous enough to snag more top-drawer songs than he deserves ("Life Turned Her That Way," "Somebody Lied," "Rockin' Years") ***

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