"Nelson sings about romance like it's still a vital concern for the eightysomething, which probably has less to do with his day-to-day life and more to do with his old-school approach to country songwriting. Even if it can't measure up to Spirit, Band of Brothers is still a showcase for what Nelson does best. These songs pare the personal down to the universal, speaking eloquently to experiences common to every listener: love, friendship, hardship, trouble".