Complicated Game is brilliant album, dense and thoughtful as McMurtry swirls around inside the heads of another set of fascinating characters.
It’s an album that shows again and again that very few songwriters on this planet illuminate the oft-unfair rules of this game or the inner workings of the players quite like he can.
McMurtry's flair for the cinematic shines brighter than ever.
The difference between the guy who made 1989's Too Long in the Wasteland and the man who cut Complicated Game is the more mature McMurtry has figured out how to deliver the fine songs he writes and get their qualities on tape
‘Complicated Game’ sees McMurtry take a different direction nine albums into his career - this is more restrained, contemplative, folk-centric and downbeat. It’s a style that’s refreshing and one that allows McMurtry’s nicely ageing vocals to work against sympathetic acoustic instrumentation more often.
The soaring chorus of ‘You Got to Me’ is good enough to make Ryan Adams jealous you’d think, while 'How'm I Gonna Find You Now’ is a ... read more
McMurtry has created an absolutely unforgettable musical journey through Americana. His storytelling is top notch and the music doesn't hide away either. Complicated Game tackles some heavy, existential themes without drooping or becoming pretentious. And most important of all, McMurtry retains his undying spirit throughout the whole album.
Copper Canteen, You Got to Me, She Loves Me, How'm I Gonna Find You Know, These Things I've Come to Know, Deaver's Crossing, Carlisle's Haul, Long Island ... read more
"Honey don't you be yelling at me when I'm cleaning my gun" gotta be one of the best opening lines to an album of all time.
#5 | / | American Songwriter |
#9 | / | Slant Magazine |