I read alot of bad reviews about this one when compared to the first. I agree that when you compare a good album to it's precursor (first one being a masterpiece) that the good album comes across as poor. While there are no radio hits or familiar songs, this album hits the spot if you like that "roadie"-music sound from the early 70's. As usual, you get the above-average vocals of Stills with some good country-rock backcountry licks (ie, inc the Steel guitar of Joe Walsh) and nice harmonizing vocals and some catchy latin-influenced tunes. "If" this "is" a weak album, it's a compliment to Stills because it's still a thousand times way, way better to my ears than any of the so-called new classics by highly overrated modern bands like Creed, Disturbed, 9-inch nails, Tool, etc which everyone seems to rave about for whatever reason.. Yes Manassas sound tired, weary and worn but it adds to the "roadie" feel of traveling by bus and staying up late getting kicks on route 66. Seems like the kind of album that was done late at nights in the bus while traveling on tour for their first album. Plenty of coffee/cigarrettes and JD must have been consumed doing this album. A vintage 70's sounding album. If you like Grateful Dead, vintage Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, etc.., you should like this album too despite it's negative reviews. No southern rock fan should be without the 2 Manassas albums in their collection. If you're traveling across country in a beat-up vehicle living at rest areas and truck stops, you'll identify with this album :-) I wish I was in my early/mid 20's back in 1972 instead of 1993-1994 because it sure seemed like everyone was having a great time. By the way, "So many times" is a great accoustical ballad that makes the whole album worth while for me. Many of the other songs are good too. Give it a chance, let it grow on you and you may be surprised that this is better than you thought. As with most other Stills albums, nothing strikes you as amazing on first listen but it gets better with each repeated listen.