The best description might be post-Born in the U.S.A. Springsteen with an accent but Earle's willingness to try different things makes him hard to categorize.
Earle makes smart, principled music.
He knows how to rock and continues to improve. El Corazon shows Earle's skill at working in all kinds of idioms. The record starts with Christmas in Washington, a unadorned folk song where Earle, disgusted by the hypocrisy of both parties, calls out for help from Woody Guthrie and other real activists of the past. Earle doesn't deny his past or his love of classic country music. Around, a touching rememberance of a lost love.