Labeling Mission of the Crossroad Palms "the latest of Steve Forbert's mediocre comeback albums," Stereo Review wrote that, "while he still has a graceful way with a melody, Forbert has virtually nothing to say."[17] The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thought that the album "derives most of its energy from Forbert's mastery of broad musical arrangements and nuanced phrasing that insinuates itself with each successive play."[9]The Philadelphia Inquirer concluded that the "folk-rock tunes ... sometimes match John Prine for lyrical inventiveness."[18]
The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "Forbert often sounds as if he's forcibly squeezing the sounds out of his throat, but his baritone is nice and warm nonetheless."[15] The Chicago Tribune determined that the album "finds the high-pitched, raspy-voiced singer-songwriter couching his searching, midlife lyrics in thoughtful folk-rock arrangements."[19]The Province praised the "conscientious, heartfelt observations" and "attention to simple craftsmanship."[16] The Calgary Herald deemed it "arguably his best."[12]
AllMusic wrote that Forbert "has flowered into a distinctive, broad-based songwriter."[11]
Track listing
No.
Title
Length
1.
"It Sure Was Better Back Then"
2.
"It Is What It Is (And That's All)"
3.
"Is It Any Wonder?"
4.
"Lay Down Your Weary Tune Again"
5.
"So Good to Feel Good Again"
6.
"Oh, To Be Back with You"
7.
"Real Live Love"
8.
"The Trouble with Angels"
9.
"How Can You Change the World?"
10.
"Don't Talk to Me"
11.
"The Last Days of Sunlight"
12.
"Thirteen Blood Red Rosebuds"
References
^Pick, Steve (21 Apr 1995). "A Random Approach to Reviewing". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 6E.
