Standing in the Breach Songs Ranked

Standing in the Breach is the fourteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. It was released on October 7, 2014, by Inside Recordings and was his first album of new material in six years. With Standing in the Breach, Jackson Browne makes a stunningly bold statement of purpose in a moment that might have been more reflective. After all, his very best music was the subject of a celebrated recent tribute album, something that might have left a lesser artist more humbled than ambitious. Not Browne. His first album of new songs since 2008, set for release on Browne’s own Inside Recordings in October, finds him working at peak creativity — as a writer, as a performer, as a bandmate. Here are all of Standing in the Breach songs ranked.

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10. Here

“Jackson’s first new release in too many years. It’s filled with mature songwriting, the best backing musicians in the industry and enough political commentary to let you know he still cares about what’s going down. One of the best albums of 2014.”

9. Which Side

“Which Side” (probably the worst song on the album – so bad that I can’t listen to it anymore). On one side, Jackson highlights the corporations who are ruining the natural world with “drilling and fracking” and “craven and corrupt” and “subsidies for billionaires” and “bailing out the banks” and a “monopoly on medicine” and “a sale on armoured tanks”. Would you be on this side?”

8. You Know the Night

“You know, we who disagree with Jackson Browne’s political positions are good people also. We also want a better world. We just think that his solutions don’t work. I wish that he would get back to what he is good at – songs about personal relationships.”

See more: Jackson Browne Albums Ranked

7. Leaving Winslow

“Jackson Browne has not lost anything over the years! The songs are terrific–a mix of fun things (“Leaving Winslow” and the socially relevant songs I expect from him. His voice is still good and I love the band. I really like this album and have listened to it many times.”

6. Yeah Yeah

“Still, mostly well-crafted songs (“Yeah yeah” would’ve been better if he’d left out the “yeah yeah” part and given it a real title), with strong lyrics conveying meaningful, relevant messages.”

5. The Birds of St. Marks

“But I must say that not even “The Birds of St. Marks,” which Jackson wrote in 1967 and which opens his new release, sounds much like his earlier recordings. Having been a fan from the beginning, I’ve sensed all along that Jackson has recognized the importance of viewing his work as a journey, one which lends itself to ever-changing dreams and new perspectives.”

See more: Jackson Browne Songs Ranked

4. The Long Way Around

“As he says in The Long Way Around, “we’re a long way gone, down this wild road we’re on” but it’s good to know some things haven’t changed. JB is still out there making his exceptional music. Thank you, Jackson, for singing your songs.”

3. If I Could Be Anywhere

“I followed Jackson Browne earlier in his career, but drifted away after Lives in the Balance (which I loved). This year I decided to check out where he was at musically, and I’m so happy that I did. “If I Could Be Anywhere” really resonated for me (not surprisingly, since I picked up 4 tons of litter while walking across the country).”

2. Walls and Doors

“On the other hand, you have the naive and inadequate. Probably the next best song on the album, “Walls and Doors”, was not written by Jackson Browne, but by Carlos Vieta. The song apparently criticizes individuals who want to build walls, because “there can be freedom only when nobody owns it”. Interesting statement – does this mean that because Israel built a wall to keep Palestinian terrorists out that the Israelis are not free.”

1. Standing in the Breach

“”Standing in the Breach” finds Jackson taking a far broader view of both Love and the Social landscape. One should expect nothing less from a great artist in his seventh decade of life and who is releasing his 14th studio album. Lyrically, these songs fit beautifully into the remarkable, evolutionary Jackson Browne catalog.”