John Prine - Sweet Revenge [Rhino Reserve, SYEOR, 180g Vinyl]

John Prine's third studio album arrived in April 1973 as a direct response to the critical reception of his stripped-down sophomore effort Diamonds in the Rough. Produced by Arif Mardin at Quadraphonic Sound Studios in Nashville with additional sessions at Atlantic Studios in New York, Sweet Revenge returned to the full-band sound of Prine's landmark debut while pushing his lyrical territory into increasingly cryptic and darkly humorous zones. The album features contributions from Cissy Houston of the Sweet Inspirations alongside many of the same session musicians from his first record, with Prine sounding more confident in his role as both vocalist and bandleader.

The 12-track collection balances Prine's gift for sharp social commentary with his knack for vivid character studies. "Dear Abby," recorded live at SUNY New Paltz, became a fan favorite with its satirical take on advice columns, while "Christmas in Prison" mixed melancholy longing with cinematic imagery to create one of Prine's most enduring compositions. "Please Don't Bury Me" offered a rollicking take on organ donation, and the title track addressed his frustrations with the music industry over soulful call-and-response vocals. "Mexican Home" and "Grandpa Was a Carpenter" revealed Prine's more personal side, referencing memories of his father and grandfather, while tracks like "Blue Umbrella" and "The Accident (Things Could Be Worse)" showcased his ability to craft open-ended narratives that reward close listening.

This Start Your Ear Off Right 2026 pressing represents the Rhino Reserve audiophile series, with lacquers cut from the original analog masters by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Fidelity Record Pressing. The mastering preserves the album's dynamic contrasts, from Kenny Malone's drum work on "Mexican Home" to Grady Martin's acoustic guitar solo on "A Good Time."

• Format: 180g Black Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "Dear Abby," "Christmas in Prison," "Please Don't Bury Me"
• Pressing details: SYEOR 2026, Rhino Reserve, Limited Edition, Indie Exclusive, Mastered from Original Analog Masters at The Mastering Lab, Pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing
• Genre/style: Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Country Rock, Americana
• UPC: 081227806552

This audiophile reissue honors an album that Village Voice critic Robert Christgau praised for Prine's ability to heighten reality through odd details and everyday observations, establishing the songwriter's cynical voice as a defining characteristic of his artistry.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Sweet Revenge
2. Please Don't Bury Me
3. Christmas In Prison
4. Dear Abby
5. Blue Umbrella
6. Often Is A Word I Seldom Use
   

Side B:

1. Onomatopoeia
2. Grandpa Was A Carpenter
3. The Accident (Things Could Be Worse)
4. Mexican Home
5. A Good Time
6. Nine Pound Hammer