Merle Haggard

Anti-/Epitaph

In the ’90s, country legend Merle Haggard’s music was seldom played on country radio. This autobiographical set of songs won’t garner him much airplay either. Terry Domigue’s drumming and brushwork is subdued; three numbers would be at home on a Bob Wills swing album, and Abe Manuel Jr.’s guitar licks are too refined for Austin or Nashville. Still, what other songwriter today could address the drug culture (“Wishing All These Old Things Were New”), getting a child to sleep (“Lullaby”), growing old (“Proud to be Your Old Man”), telling your son about being in prison (“I’m Still Your Daddy”) and the bittersweet beauty in a lonely night (“Crazy Moon”) all on the same release? Haggard’s voice no longer has that ’60s and ’70s purity when No. 1 hits with the Strangers came easily, but its added depth is perfect for the nostalgic tone and continuing “to hell with the world” attitude he espouses.