Sheryl Crow - Wildflower
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Free Music Notes for Wildflower
Free Music Review: Not her best, but worthwhile nonetheless
Hit: 3 Stars
There's something immensely appealing about Sheryl Crow. I admire that she not only beat the sophomore slump but did so by releasing a truly astonishing recording (1996's self-titled album). "The Globe Sessions" cemented her status: as a singer, she was versatile, earthy, and engaging. As a writer, she was capable of documenting emotional lows without losing her frisky sense of humor.
In some ways, Sheryl's last few recordings have felt like the works of a different artist. Where did all the rough edges go? The production has been slicker than snakeoil, the vocals have been smoothed out with auto-tuning, and she's relied more heavily on cliches as a writer. Sheryl has spoken about the pressures of competing in the pop world, and these stresses have been showing in her work.
That said, I do not expect her to stay the same forever, and I find much to cherish in her recent offerings. She's still a master tunesmith, and she knows how to spot a good hook a mile away. "Good is Good" was a strong (and underrated) single. "Letter to God" and "I Don't Want to Know" are urgent and passionate. "Always on Your Side" is a bit obvious and sentimental, but it's a lovely, bittersweet, classic ballad. "I Know Why," "Perfect Lie," and "Chances Are" are all beautifully arranged and performed.
My main gripe is that I find it slightly disappointing that an album that was supposed to be as intimate as "Wildflower" would feel so slickly produced and forced in spots. Ultimately, I do think that this is a strong set of songs, but it feels somewhat compromised. Outside of the problems with the production, the vocals are less assured than usual, and she sounds thin and reedy in spots (namely the title track). This was not a problem when I saw her in concert promoting this album--she sounded confident and proved that she has not lost any of her vocal prowess. Also, at least one track ("Live It Up") feels blatantly tacked-on as a potential single in case the more mellow tracks flop on radio. It disrupts the flow of the record.
Overall, I think this album has many beautiful moments, and I would recommend it. I don't think it shows off all that she is capable of, though. She's spoken about making a more blatantly country-ish album at some point. Given her influences--Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams--I think this would be something worth hearing. I know she has it in her, and it sounds like that is where her heart is.
Free Music Review: Sheryl's most reflective album is now slightly awkward
Hit: 3 Stars
When Sheryl Crow released her fifth studio album in September, 2005, things couldn't have been peachier for her: a million-selling music career, and her very public romance with Lance Armstrong (their engagement was announced that same month). We're now seven months later, and Sheryl is single again (circumstances behind the break-up are still fuzzy), and "Wildflowers" is the first flop in Sheryl's stellar career. What went wrong?
"Wildflower" (11 tracks, 46 min.) is the complete opposite of Sheryl's previous studio album "C'mon C'mon". Gone are the cheery, sunny, catchy songs, and instead we receive introspective songs, with Sheryl reflecting on how good life basically is. The opener "I Know Why" sets the tone for the album. The title track is just Sheryl on acoustic guitar, with sparse strings accompannying her. "Lifetimes" and "Live It Up" are the only uptempo songs on the album. "Always on Your Side" is a beautiful piano-based ballad.
So why has "Wildflower" been a chart disappointment? For the answer, look no further than "Good is Good", the radio single. It is not a bad song per se, but it doesn't grab you. And that's pretty reflective of the entire album. A lot of easy-flowing songs with not enough attention-grabbers. The liner notes' prominent dedication to Lance, and the plentyful references to love in the songs, now come across awkwardly, frankly.
Free Music Review: Sheryl's masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of Sheryl's since "Leaving Las Vegas", and while I've enjoyed all of her albums (even though I considered C'mon C'mon a weak effort in comparison to the rest), I have to admit that I think she has released her best work here with "Wildflower"Free Music Review: Sheryl Channels her Inner Stevie Nicks
Hit: 5 Stars
I always liked Sheryl Crow, because even though folks have tried to pigeonhole her sound, Sheryl is about making music that everyone can relate to & enjoy. My boyfriend got me more into Sheryl's music, which prior I used to only jam to on the radio. I purchased Sheryl's whole catalogue & fell in love with her recent release "Wildflower".
To me, "Wildflower" see's Sheryl channeling her idol/mentor, Stevie Nicks' mystical elements to great effect. She started this on 1998's "The Globe Sessions", another personal favorite.
Here, Sheryl spins lyrical tapestries about living in a modern world & doing your best to love yourself & others around you. Musically, the "Nicks" element comes in with the use of different studio effects, various percussion sounds, violins, & at times, quieter guitar work. These, amongst other elements, blend seamlessly to give Sheryl sonics that blend & form to her words rather than the other way around. Her words drive the songs.
"Chances Are" is probably one of the best songs here. In this cut, Sheryl talks about human evolution, "hybrid lives" specifically. In a fashion how she, and ourselves have all become disconnected from the world due to the fast pace in which we move. This is written in such a way that, it doesn't come off as pretetntious, but more of a warning or a call to show us what is happening.
Other songs deal with the complications of love, in it's various forms or another. The title track is a utterly beautiful, which finds Crow singing in a higher, yet hushed tone telling of a lover whose existence in her life, is that of (you guessed it) a rare wildflower. I found that euphenism to be rather simple & for me something I could relate to on a personal level with my current relationship. It captures that uniqueness that attracts us to individuals beyond what we see on the outside. Other highlights include the lead single "Good Is Good", the stomper "Live It Up" (really like this one), & "Lifetimes" amongst other.
Vocally, this is Crow's best record. She alternates between a lot of different takes, the "Wildflower" take being a favorite, gives her a very vulnerable feel. Her voice, like Nicks, has a specific character & it shines here.
The record is only eleven tracks, but I'm all for lean albums. Here, Crow picked the best songs & it shows because each song is good, & warrants a re-listening. I recommend this to anyone who wants an album they can listen to during a difficult time or even if they are having a good time, "Wildflower" is a very life-affirming record. With Crow's recent tribulations (my prayers to her) I'm sure she'll use them for engaging inspiration for the follow-up.
Free Music Review: Brilliant!
Hit: 5 Stars
I've always considered Sheryl Crow to be a mediocre talent - sure I've sung along to songs like "All I wanna do" and "Every day is a winding road" and "Soak up the sun" on the radio - but did I BUY one of her CDs? Nah. This time there's something different. I heard "Good is good" first and was more impressed than usual. Then I heard "Always on your side" (the duet with Sting is even BETTER!) and I was hooked. I bought Wildflower and can't stop listening to it. There's so much more depth than I ever expected. She put her heart and soul into this album and it shines. Thank you, Sheryl.