Jackson Browne (Saturate Before Using)
JACKSON BROWNE
(Asylum)
On his debut album, this prototypical '70s California singer/songwriter — raised in L.A., natch — delved deeply into the art of introspection without plunging into the kind of abject mopery and despair that would characterize some of his later work. While the album certainly contains its share of mellow (the operative word of the day) acoustic ballads, it also features the spry "Doctor My Eyes," a truly timeless song, and the almost-hopeful "Rock Me on the Water." Jackson Browne is thoughtful, listenable — and just depressing enough. For those who have reduced Browne to a nostalgic cliché, give him another shot — and today's indie-folk fans would do well to check him out as well.
This article appears in Jan 23-29, 2008.