Haggard Like Never Before

During the Vietnam War, Merle Haggard wrote “Okie From Musgokee,” a poison dart of a song directed at antiwar liberals. On his latest album, war is on his mind again, but time has changed the country music legend’s perspective. Despite the presence of “Yellow Ribbon,” a “support the troops” ode set to a military beat, Haggard ain’t sold on Dubya’s scheme of never-ending war. “That’s the News” veils its skewering of the media’s kid-glove treatment of the war on terrorism behind a loping country beat, and the horn-fueled “Lonesome Day” laments life in John Ashcroft’s security state. Truth be told, though, his love songs are more convincing. “I Dreamed You Didn’t Love Me” and “The Downside” aren’t interested in conveying the thrill of falling in love but rather the thrill of staying in love. They work well as a metaphor for the entire album, which is less concerned with getting your attention than keeping it.