Although I was hoping for the legendary “even my dog won’t love me no more” reference that never turned up, this album was alright. Trying to challenge my assumptions this year, I have been sampling all sorts of things that I formerly labeled toxic. Such as country music.

For the most part, I just couldn’t relate to any of the themes in the music: being locked up, truck driving, and nationalism. But, Haggard’s voice is smooth and the rhythm is undeniably toe-tapping.

To sum up, get rid of the hippie-bashing and it would be fairly palatable.