John Fogerty - Revival
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Free Music Notes for Revival
Free Music Review: Good music, but not enough of it.
Hit: 4 Stars
John Fogerty has always put out good music for all types of listeners. It's just good stuff and with his Creedence sound, you can't go wrong. I would have rated this 5 stars except that the CD is barely 40 minutes in length. To me this is inexcusable when your not limited to a vinyl lp for time. Today 50 minutes should be the minimum. Go out and buy this though, you won't be disappointed.Free Music Review: Revival
Hit: 4 Stars
After many years of not producing this revival of John Fogerty was worth the wait. I especially enjoyed Summer of Love. Free Music Review: The sound's still great, but trends to the strident and sappy
Hit: 2 Stars
I have been a John Fogerty fan ever since listening to my father's CCR records as a young boy. I have also appreciated a fair amount of his solo work, and was equally impressed with a live performance I saw a couple of summers ago. Although his last solo disc was underwhelming, I had high hopes for "Revival". Unfortunately, I just don't know what to make of this latest release.
This disc immediately excels at demonstrating three things: the driving roots-rock that Mr. Fogerty made famous in CCR and throughout his career is still present, his guitar playing is still exceptional, and his vocals remain as strong as ever. But it is the songwriting that seems to either be inconsistent or is just not as much a forte as it used to be.
The first track on this disc, "Don't You Wish It Was True", is strong from a music perspective, but lyrically seems a bit sappy and incongruous with his rock foundations. "Creedence Song" is at once fun and pandering, with Mr. Fogerty seeming to embrace his past and seamlessly dropping in riffs of CCR songs into the guitar solos. "Summer Of Love" seems completely out of place in its romanticizing an era that he and his band never really seemed a part of. Several of the other songs on this disc work better than others, or are ones that I seem to alternate back and forth on in terms of likeability.
Mr. Fogerty has always been known to incorporate current events and/or political statements into his music ("Fortunate Son" being the ultimate example). It is no surprise that "Revival" features two songs in this vein, but what is surprising is the style and lack of subtlety. I don't generally mind swipes at politics in song when it's done well; otherwise it's just unnecessary vitriol. And while my political views are more moderate than they used to be - and being less a fan of the Bush administration than I was several years ago - I found "Long Dark Night" and "I Can't Take It No More" two screeds that bordered on being pure hatred. On the latter track, Mr. Fogerty inaccurately panders to his CCR past in calling George W. Bush "another fortunate son". I have always respected Mr. Fogerty for being more well-read, informed, and subtle as a songwriter. But these two tracks were obviously generated from some deep-seated anger that does not serve the disc well, whether the listener agrees with his political views or not.
In the test of time, these political screeds - when combined with the uneven quality of the other songs on the disc - will almost certainly diminish the overall quality, resonance, and staying power of "Revival". For a better overall showcase of Mr. Fogerty's songwriting and musicianship, I would reference listeners to his highly underrated 1997 release, "Blue Moon Swamp". Front to back, that disc has tracks that tie to his CCR foundations, and prove to be a more lasting evolution from that classic body of work. "Revival" proves to be more a misnomer, as its inconsistency and rage do little to advance Mr. Fogerty's legacy.
Free Music Review: Revival
Hit: 4 Stars
I bought this CD primarily for "Don't you wish it were true." I enjoyed several of the other numbers, didn't care for the political issues in two of them but that's his right. I really enjoy the guitar music. Well done.Free Music Review: Rock and roll's Mida's touch
Hit: 5 Stars
First, I thought it was an oldies compilation. I purchased it as well, as I ever do with everyting connected with mr. Fogerty. Then, only with the album on my desk and the disc in my stereo, I realised it was new!
New songs and old sounds: some in classic "Creedence" shape, some other with newer arrangements just as he's been wandering 'round to capture all the different aspects of rock in the last three decades.
Terrific album, with three or four instant classics and a couple of "bayou songs" so sweet for my ears! We love you, John.
Will your talent and your energy last for many years to come!