I Am What I Am [LP] 03/20/2009 every song is a group

every song is a group songwriting effort

No matter the listener's opinion on the vocals

and Big Mike

and that energy was the main reason Mercyful Fate could get away with sticking to their tried-and-true style upon making their comeback in 1993

Ben Weinman

I Am What I Am [LP] 03/20/2009 every song is a groupPerhaps there's a measure of defiance in the title of Merle Haggard's 2010 album I Am What I Am, but it's also a statement of plain fact: almost 50 years into a recording career, there's no changing the fact that Hag is who is he is, and he's comfortable in his own skin, broken in but not worn out, never pushing too hard but never coasting, either. Sometimes Haggard's easy touch is too light, slipping into sleepiness, but the striking thing about I Am