Burning Questions (Graham Parker album)

Recorded in 22 days, the album was produced by Parker and Jon Jacobs.^[9][10] Pete Thomas played drums on the album.^[11] Andrew Bodnar played bass; Mick Talbot played organ.^[12][13] "Long Stem Rose" employs a string section.^[14] "Short Memories" is about sending young people to war.^[15] "Just Like Joe Meek's Blues" references the troubled music producer.^[16] "Here It Comes Again" criticizes the rescinding of rights by political conservatives.^[17] Many songs address the problems with romantic love.^[18]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Calgary Herald	C+[19]
Chicago Tribune	[20]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[1]
The Indianapolis Star	[18]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[21]
Orlando Sentinel	[12]
The Philadelphia Inquirer	[22]
(The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide	[23]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	4/10[24]
Martin C. Strong	5/10[25]

The Sun-Sentinel noted that "there is a warmness to the roots music on Burning Questions, and intelligence in the lyrics."^[26] The Calgary Herald opined that the music "just lays there and feigns passion when it's only going through the motions."^[19] The Kitchener-Waterloo Record wrote that "Parker has become more willing than ever to expose his hard-edged romanticism, as the superb 'Oasis' and the moving 'Worthy of Your Love' attest."^[27]

The Chicago Tribune concluded that "Parker still may be ticked off at the world, but it sounds like everybody else in the studio is just punching the clock."^[20] The St. Petersburg Times determined that "Parker's grainy vocals—alternately full of yearning, anger and irony—gain intensity."^[28] The Philadelphia Inquirer considered Burning Questions to be one of the best albums of 1992, writing that the music "is his punchiest and most soulful accompaniment in years."^[22] The Morning Call and The Virginian-Pilot also listed the album among the best of the year.^[29][30]