Go on, go on...buy this cd!!

Sheryl Crow is back! The good-time party-music girl who had one catchy hit-song after another throughout the 1990s has released her long awaited CD. On C’mon C’mon, she shows that she is still has the same sense of infectious melody that earned her so much acclaim.

Tracks:
1. Steve McQueen
2. Soak Up The Sun
3. You’re An Original
4. Safe And Sound
5. C’mon, C’mon
6. It’s So Easy
7. Over You
8. Lucky Kid
9. Diamond Road
10. It’s Only Love
11. Abilene
12. Hole In My Pocket
13. Weather Channel

Producer: Sheryl Crow

Breakdown:
Now I’ll be the first to admit, I am not all that familiar with Sheryl Crows other albums. Most of what I’ve heard from her has been complements of my radio. Even still, songs like If It Makes You Happy, A Change, All I Wanna Do, and others are among my favorite songs from the 1990s. Usually I’m not prone to impulse purchases, but when I was in Wal-Mart the other day, I saw Sheryl Crow sitting in the “new releases” section. Since I’ve always regarded her as one the few really good new acts of the past ten years, and always wanted to get her CDs (but somehow never got around to it), I decided to scoop up a copy and run quickly up to the check out line.

Well, needless to say, I am very glad I did. This is a fantastic, but somewhat surprising, CD. First of all, I was immediately struck by how polished and (over?) produced this album is. Sheryl Crow’s music to me was always pretty basic in its construction, sticking mostly to catchy, melodies and three chord acoustic guitar parts, and building the song from there. This album however greets the listener with programmed drum parts, synth-bass lines, big vocal choruses, string sections, and a whole host of guest-star appearances (like Gwyneth Paltrow and Emmylou Harris). Also, her songs are more serious in tone than her previous work, and as a result, the album on the whole has a more of a somber mood than I would have normally expected. But all of this is not to say this album is not great, just unexpected.

There are a lot of great songs on this album that will not disappoint any long time fan of Crow. They include:

Steve McQueen - The opening track to this album is completely appropriate for showing the listener what to expect. It is the perfect blend “Ghost of Sheryl Crow Past” and “Ghost of Sheryl Crow Present”. It begins with a very simple guitar riff, played on an electric guitar that almost sounds like its not plugged in. Mixed in, come a few samples and sound effects, and a programmed drum beat. She sings the song in that unique Crow style, with energy and heart. Some of the lyrics are: I wanna rock and roll this party/ I still wanna have some fun / I wanna leave you breathless / Show you how the west was won / But I gotta fly / I gotta fly / Like Steve McQueen / All I need’s a fast machine / I’m gonna make it alright ….

Soak Up The Sun - This is the first single/video of this album. Is has a simple guitar part, and a catchy melody and great lyrics, just like we’d expect from Crow. The opening starts out with a really annoying programmed synthesized drum part. I really wish she didn’t do that. But it’s still a decent song. If you see the video sometime, just know that it is definitely not the best song on the album. Liz Phair sings back-ups on this track.

You’re An Original - When I first heard this one, I said “Is that Lenny Kravitz singing in the background. A quick look at the liner notes, and sure enough, there was his name credited with backing vocals. I thought the guitar line had a Kravitz sound to it, but he is only noted as a vocalist.

C’mon, C’mon - The title track to the album begins with a Maggie May like sound, with mandolin sounding twelve string. Although I think Crow’s vocals at time sound a bit strained in this song, I can see this hitting the radio as a single. Also, Stevie Nicks is credited with some back up vocals, but its really hard to pick her out.

It’s So Easy - Ever wonder why every duet Don Henley does ends up sounding like that one he did a few years back with Patti Smythe? Yeah, me too. And this song is no different. I generally skip over this schlock-ballad. If there were a way to drop him from this song, I would do it in a heartbeat. He ruins what otherwise wouldn’t be a half bad song.

Lucky Kid - This is my favorite track on the disk. It has sort of a 1970’s spacey, funk-rock groove, with a guitar line that I am almost positive is Lenny Kravitz on guitar. Unfortunately, it’s not. But it sounds like it could be lifted right off this album and put onto one of Lenny’s albums. In parts, her vocals have this overdubbed quality that is surprisingly effective.

Overall, this is a great album. Some aspects of it are sure to surprise Sheryl Crow fans. She’s really shown some maturity and growth in her style. Part of this could be because the album is self-produced, which she has done a heroic job of doing. In my opinion, this album blends enough of the familiar with some new experimental stuff. It’s obvious that Crow is attempting to evolve her music, and so far has been quite effective, even if she sounds at times like many other female musicians out now. The songs themselves still have that signature, straightforward honesty and melody which is hard to resist. I would give this a 4-1/2 star rating if I could, but since I can’t I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and go with five.