Counting Crows - Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings
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Free Music Notes for Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings
Free Music Review: Exile: Redux
Hit: 4 Stars
4.5 Stars.
The Counting Crows are "back," although honestly I don't know where from. Their commercial zenith may have been August and Everything After, but their path from that record to Hard Candy has actually been one of growth and this new offering shows them continuing in an interesting and very heartfelt direction. What they've done here is to essentially create a Stones album, but it's a better one than most of what the Stones have put forth since Exile on Main St. Some of the songs have echoes of Springsteen at his bleakest (think Nebraska), such as "Cowboys" which speaks of everyday violence. This album also oddly reminds me of Gentleman's Blues, which tackles the downside of success. In fact the two discs are kindred spirits or even partners in crime with their raw bluesy attack and cynical take on the concept of fame or at least the hedonistic lifestyle that often accompanies it (footnote: it's unclear whether these songs are about actual experiences that singer-songwriter Duritz has had or instead are based upon things that "could" happen to someone in his position; however the subject matter is dealt with in a manner that keeps it feeling personal, real and even relatable).
Listening to all of this in one sitting is a little difficult, especially after reaching the halfway point on the somber "second side" where the slow tempos begin to drag a little. Perhaps mixing it up might have made for a somewhat easier listening experience. But from a purely artistic perspective, the concept works. Additionally, taken song-by-song this is a very strong disc, each contributing thought-provoking ideas in a tumble of words set against the rootsiest, rawest rock n roll I have heard since Marah's Angels of Destruction. My favorite songs here are "Hanging Tree," "Insignificant," "Cowboys," "Washington Square," "When I Dream of Michaelangelo" and "You Can't Count On Me." I'm not going to do a track-by-track analysis because that has already been covered very well by other reviewers. I will say however that each track merits full attention from the listener. They all contain plenty of interesting ideas and a lot of imagery which will take time and thought to decipher. It's serious music for a serious music lover, and this band maintains its integrity by continuing to produce such music in an era when that sort of thing has become very scarce.
As you can see from the other albums I have referred to in my review, this disc echoes an earlier time when big, sprawling roots-rock albums were what was considered "pop" music. There's no fooling anyone that this sort of thing is really "pop" in the "popular" sense anymore. Yet there are bands and individuals out there creating truly classic rock albums (Marah, Wilco, REM and Ian Hunter to name a few) if you are willing to dig a little deeper. I suppose the greatest praise I can give any new release these days is that it sits proudly alongside the better works of its predecessors from both current and past eras. This album does that in spades. A worthy addition to any true rock fan's collection.
Free Music Review: i really wanted to love this release...
Hit: 2 Stars
the counting crows is one of my favorite bands. i live in the next town over from where they grew up, and they have put out consistently good music over the years, although not that frequently. i still find their 'old' music to be fresh and was really looking forward to another solid effort. so, in contrast to most of the reviews, i have been pretty disappointed in my multiple listenings of the new cd. for the first time on any counting crows release i find myself reaching for the fast forward button on a couple of songs that to me are almost painful to listen to...either the guitar riffs are annoying or we get a bit of the 'whiny' and repetitive vocals from adam. i was debating between two and three stars as there is some solid work here, but given my standards for this band i opted for the lower rating. i hope it doesn't take another six years until the next counting crows release and i'll look forward to that one in the hopes it returns to the solid work they are so capable of....Free Music Review: Creativity doesn't have to be "even" or consistent to be good.
Hit: 4 Stars
I confess to being a fan of CC. I regularly enjoy every CD they have released -- each for different reasons. Each one fulfills a different emotional fix for me, and that is as it should be (in my perfect world of music anyway). I'd like them much less if everything sounded like their first, or the same. I expect to be taken on a ride of musical and personal growth with the artist(s).
Adam has ALWAYS been angst-ridden, and low and behold, he still is! But I enjoy his public tight rope walking and indulgence for what it is -- creative expression. And I happen to relate to a lot of it too. Yep, some lyrics are less than profound, some are repetitious, and yes, there are a few structural formulas starting to show through, but nonetheless, the expression of this band feels HUMAN to me (e.g. imperfect and real).
This new release hasn't left my CD player in 2 days and will join the ranks of the others as my 'must take to the deserted island with me'.
The GOOD about this release:
- Kick-ass production -- the best of all their releases
- The band is tighter than ever and the guitar work not only ROCKS, but is outstanding
- The bluesy vibe in certain songs is really well done (most notable on Los Angeles)and shows the range of the entire band's music abilities
- Something for every CC fan -- mellow, angsty, funny, straight-forward pop, and gutsy rock
The NOT-SO-GOOD about this release:
- "You Can't Count on Me" sounds like the Shrek song with new lyrics and feels like it was written to be a mainstream radio release
- "On A Tuesday in Amsterdam..." is the typical Adam emotional wail song included on every CD (Raining in Baltimore,I'm Not Sleeping, Colorblind, Goodnight L.A.). I never skip these songs, but sometimes they do draaaggg.
I think any middle-of-the-road Counting Crows fan will enjoy this CD.
Free Music Review: you can't count on Crows
Hit: 2 Stars
ok, why are you all praising this album? Best since Satellites? Ok, so Hard Candy saw a decrease in the lyrical genius of Adam, but it's still got great music and is a good album if you delete that one bad song (I hate Maryann, whoever she is) - so what it's a bit pop-y. then they say comparable to August? bah. What are they thinking? This is their worst album and it's only got a couple decent cuts.
Here's where I'm coming from: I'm a dedicated fan. Seen the Crows in concert 8 times (5 since 2000), and every time I think it's the best concert I've ever seen (not limited to crows). I think the evolution in their music is amazing - how can they keep making great songs even better. Their last tour included a version of Rain King that topped the "New Amsterdam" version, which bested both "Across a wire" versions which far outstripped the album version which is a fantastic song. I think every song they've recorded is at least good (with the aforementioned exception), and all their studio albums are great to listen all the way through. I think their best 5 recorded songs are: Round here (Across a wire cd 2), Perfect blue buildings (New Amsterdam), Anna Begins (Across a wire cd 1) Hanging around (New Amsterdam), Up all night (Hard Candy). Of course if you're a fan of these songs too, you've already bought this album, so I guess I'm just venting.
Ok, so back to Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. I guess I just had high expectations. Today, I expected to see a bunch of ratings trashing this album when I came on here to do that. But no. I can't understand. I've tried to like this album. I've tried very hard. But I think I would be embarrassed to play it in my car. It's got some annoying sections, some bad lyrics, and some worse vocals. It's got almost no emotion. It's got no good rock. It's got no great lines that aren't reused. It's got a bit of innovation, but the album has no flow. I think it was a double album that got shrunk because it was even worse. Jeez, what did they throw out?
A few months ago, I heard a new track that I wasn't on any major album (live or studio), called "Baby I'm a big star now". Great song. I had hoped that song was a preview of the brilliant new album on the way. urgh
I'm sad. waiting over 5 years for this?
Good cuts:
Cowboy - will be one of the best concert songs in their repertoire and certainly on this album
le Ballet d'Or - the only really good song on the album - interesting, new, but it builds and never gets anywhere
On almost any sunday morning - nice harmonica
decent cuts:
Come around
On a tuesday in Amsterdam long ago
That's it man.
not a fan of the big single, "you can't count on me". Just does nothing for me. And even some of the lyrics are a bit annoying.
yeah, I mean, you've got to buy the album, just don't expect great things. Or better yet, wait till you find one on the street that's been thrown out of someone's car in a fit of frustrated "why did they do this to me" agony.
Free Music Review: Perfect yet again......like the new Poi Dog Pondering '7' CD
Hit: 5 Stars
Incredible...this has been a great year for music. The new REM (except the sound quality) and this CD were a long wait well worth it. The only CD that I have enjoyed more, is the new Poi Dog Pondering '7' CD. Check it out, you owe it to yourself, and every friend you have to buy that CD.
It's wonderful to see a return to true songwriting, with all the junk that has been on the radio and mtv for the last decade.