Outward Bound (Sonny Landreth album)

The album was produced by R.S. Field and Landreth.[5][6] Landreth worked on Outward Bound for two years.[7] Sue Medley contributed backing vocals to "Bad Weather".[8] Members of the Goners, the backing band that worked on some of John Hiatt's albums and of which Landreth was a member, played on the album; Hiatt appeared on two songs.[9][10] "Yokamoma" is an instrumental track.[11] "New Landlord" is about an addiction to gambling.[12]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
Chicago Tribune	[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[7]
Entertainment Weekly	B[14]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[5]

Entertainment Weekly praised Landreth's "snowflakes-in-the-swamp trail mix of bayou blues and Boulder boogie."[14] Stereo Review noted that "even when Landreth's voice is defeated by the melodrama or piety of his songs, he can always let his fingers do the talking."[15] The Ottawa Citizen concluded that "in the world of slide guitar players, Landreth belongs right up there with the late Duane Allman, Robert Johnson and Lowell George."[16]

Rolling Stone noted that R.S. Field "has a knack for revitalizing traditional elements with a spark beyond musical nostalgia."[17] The Orlando Sentinel thought that "Landreth isn't an outstanding lyricist, but his words have an appealing simplicity and frankness and his mild voice is well-suited to the material."[8] The Washington Post noted that "the revelation comes in hearing all of the crafty and evocative tunes Landreth has composed for the album and how they tailor-fit his light, tuneful tenor voice."[18]

AllMusic wrote that "Landreth's playing sizzles and slashes ... There's lots of space where what isn't played is just as important as what is."[13] The Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph listed the album as the 11th best of 1992.[19] The Milwaukee Sentinel listed Outward Bound among the 25 best albums of 1992.[20]