“Skilled and clever songwriting.”
The Village Voice
“A DANG GOOD TIME”
TimeOut New York
“A genius.”
The Daily Item
“Pickens, a natural when it comes to engaging the crowd, has a performance style reminiscent of The Reverend Horton Heat, who preaches to the congregation through his rockabilly music. However, Mr. Pickens is more cattle-driving herdsman than brimstone-spitting evangelist. He wields his guitar like it’s an electric cattle prod. Instead of “Amens,” he energizes the crowd with “Yeehaws!”
Annabelle Magazine
“Enigmatic, yet oddly brilliant”
Long Island Entertainment
“Heaps of fun and a whole lot of trouble.”
Flavorpill
“Visceral music and songs about bowling.”
Antimatters
“Roots-rock charged by competence and charm.”
No Depression Magazine
“Almost as much fun as going to church!”
Jane M
“I enjoy your music.”
Rob Burkholder
“The songwriting is stellar, and Earl’s voice is very soulful. There’s a convincingness to the performances that are very heartfelt and real.”
Bruce Warren, Program Director, WXPN Philadelphia
“just filled with good songs.”
David Dye, host World Cafe
Speaking about Country music Jukebox on his nationally syndicated NPR music program, World Cafe, Mr. Dye praised Earl’s solo debut and gave “Come On Up and Haunt Me Tonight” an on-air spin.
”...Reviews of his live shows reveal a charismatic showman, which explains why the performances on this album have enough chutzpa to command your attention without volume or percussion. The lyrics are worth a quiet listen, even after the songs hook you on the first go round. An unusually appealing debut.”
Music Matters
”... paints the full picture of well worn bar stools and the downtrodden flies that sulk above them. It’s a notable first time work.”
Glide Magazine
“Pickens doesn’t need to resort to any of the ironic demystification deployed by the Anti-Folk folks to deflate the solemn troubadour stance. Instead, he veers toward tradition, giving up on pretension and hipness, adhering instead to the very spirit of country music. Vital and moving, this subdued Country Music Jukebox lives up to the author’s ambition to “make a record that offers little in the way of redemption, but gives you plenty of reasons to have yourself another beer”.
Splendid Magazine
“Funny how you rarely hear country artists who play it soft and slow. Recorded completely without drums, Country Music Jukebox is a soft and soothing trip into the mind of Earl Pickens. Pickens was originally a New York punk playing in loud rock bands…until he opted to change directions entirely. Considering his background, it seems surprising that Pickens’ tunes are so genuine and sincere. Instead of sounding like a city punk who switched to country/folk, Earl sounds like a regular ol’ boy from Alabama or Oklahoma. Tunes are what make the man in the end, and tunes are what make Country Music Jukebox such a delightful spin. Pickens has a great, slightly raspy voice that works well with the style of tunes he writes. Subdued and real, these twelve tunes set just the right mood for fans of classic country and folk.” (Rating: 4++++)
babysue.com
”... the dozen songs here indicate a guy who could emerge as a formidable talent … Maybe some big-name artist will pick up on one or two of the more commercial-sounding songs here, giving Pickens the mass exposure he’s earned. This is good stuff for folks who disdain posers and enjoy a well-turned phrase …”
cdreviews.com
“Excellent singer-songwriter album with an almost refreshing production aesthetic and down-to-earth lyrics.”
UponFirstListen
