Time can’t conquer Jackson Browne

Legendary songwriter Jackson Browne first entered the music scene in 1972 with the release of his self-titled debut album. By the end of the ’70s, Browne was a household name in rock music, helped along by works such as Running On Empty and The Pretender.

Perhaps the most famous song of his career is “Somebody’s Baby,” which was released in 1982 and featured in the film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Time the Conqueror is his twelfth album, and first since The Naked Ride Home in 2002.

The best song here is “Off of Wonderland.” This acoustic-driven piece shows that Browne’s voice is still smooth and full of passion. The 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s guitar playing gives this song plenty of life as well.

The song questions the current state of love and the way things have changed since the ’60s. “Didn’t we believe in love / Didn’t we believe in giving it away / Wouldn’t we receive enough / If we could just believe in each other, as much as we believed in John.” It’s safe to say this work is his best in years.

The most lyrically evocative song is “The Drums of War,” a poetic diatribe criticizing the Bush Administration for lying its way into war.

“Whatever you believe the necessary course to be / Depends on who you trust to identify the enemy / Who gives the orders, orders to torture / Who gets to no bid contract the future / Who lies, then bombs, then calls it an error / Who makes a fortune from fighting terror?”

Musically the song has a steadfast bass and drum rhythm, and is given a dramatic vibe through Browne’s ominous piano playing.

Time The Conqueror is a good comeback for Jackson Browne. The political nature of some of the songs here are likely to ruffle some feathers and spark conversation about the sad state of affairs in the world today.