AMG Review of 5:01 Blues

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

Though it is a bit uneven, 5:01 Blues is a mature, subtle and often engaging latter-day release from Merle Haggard. Hag's voice has become jazzier and more nuanced with age, which helps give weight to the lesser material on the album. When he's matched with a terrific song, such as "Sea of Heartbreak," the results are magnificent.