Love and Danger (Joe Ely album)

Recorded in Nashville, the album was produced by Tony Brown and Ely.[5][6] Ely and Brown wanted to place emphasis on the songs and Ely's voice, rather than a band sound.[7] Ely had written between 40 and 50 songs over nine months, some inspired by his Texas road travels.[8] David Grissom played guitar on the album.[9] "Every Night About This Time" is a cover of the Dave Alvin song.[10] "The Road Goes On Forever" and "Whenever Kindness Fails" were written by Robert Earl Keen.[11][12]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
Calgary Herald	B[10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[14]
The Indianapolis Star	[15]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[6]
Orlando Sentinel	[16]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	4/10[17]

The Chicago Tribune wrote that the album, "bursting with a crazed and dangerous sexual energy, rocks as hard as anything Ely has ever recorded, yet that rootsy Texas twang is never far away, nor is his startling poetic flair."[18] The Guardian noted that "Whenever Kindness Fails" "meshes perfectly with Ely's gruff but ironic delivery."[19] The Los Angeles Times determined that "Ely is taking the outsider/loner's view of love and life, spinning witty, frequently brilliant metaphors ... and setting them to melodies that seem at once familiar and fresh."[20]

The Calgary Herald opined that Ely's "delivery is too intense, like he's trying to be heard over a roadhouse crowd."[10] Stereo Review concluded that "it's got the dynamic locomotion of rock, the righteous sassiness of the blues, the narrative twang of country, and the hook-filled, melodic sheen of pop."[21] The Indianapolis Star wrote that "Ely's America entails bawdy romances, squelched ambitions and lonesome highways."[15] The Orlando Sentinel stated that "the ultra-crisp, hard-rock drum sound here is downright annoying on otherwise worthy songs."[16]