Sheryl Crow leads us down her Diamond Road

Returning to the music scene with arguably her best album since her debut smash Tuesday Night Music Club, Crow is definitely in top form. Her songwriting ability, voice and persona have been honed to a sharp, effective tip and her album is a mixture of fun, serious and everything in between. I would say that it also shows Crow moving into a more country-western direction on some of her songs.

Unless you’ve been under a rock this summer, you’ve probably heard her fun beach song “Soak Up The Sun”. A nice, summer vibe with just some basic guitar work, light percussion and some simple lyrics to sing a long with will have people singing in their cars all over the country. It’s just a simple pop song that’s well written and easy to relate to.

“You’re An Original” features Sheryl Crow being backed up by the one and only Lenny Kravitz. This probably the funkiest song on the album with it’s biting lyrics and blues type lick. The harmony on this song between her and Kravitz works so well and on the chorus he actually is the voice that is more prominent in the harmony. The texture of their voices is very engaging and the collaboration is definitely a good idea. This song describes a girl who thinks she’s something special but in all reality she’s just like tons of other girls. I knew girl like that in high school. She tried to be so different from everyone she just ended up being fake and everyone could see right through her.

“Safe and Sound” is a very ambitious and gratifying listening experience. I believe that she wrote this and performed it for that September 11th special. Her voice is a lot stronger on this song than I have probably ever heard it. I don’t really think of September 11th when I hear it though. The lyrics could apply to a lot of situations and I definitely feel many people could find their own meaning in this song. The music includes some effects that remind me of going into space, a beautiful guitar melody and the dramatic effect of strings.
“Maybe this is forever
Forever fades away
Like a rocket ascending into space
Could you not be sad?
Could you not break down?
After all I won’t let go
Till you’re safe and sound
Till you’re safe and sound
There’s beauty in release
There’s no one left to please
But you and me”
When I hear the lyrics I actually think of someone dying of some kind of terminal illness and death is there release from the difficulties hear on earth. It’s a fantastic song.

“Steve McQueen” is her current rowdy release and should definitely do well on the charts. That same free spirit feeling that made “Leaving Las Vegas” such a sensation is back in full force on this song. The song has kind of a rebellious and rocking lyrics that are pretty blunt. Lines like “We got rock stars in the Whitehouse, all our pop stars look like porn” are humorous and deadly serious at the same time.

The title track “C’Mon, C’Mon” never really made an impression on me even with Stevie Nicks on the background vocals. I don’t think it flatters Sheryl Crow’s voice too much and the song is just too twangy. I like her much better when she’s rocking. The chorus is mildly catchy but not enough to make this song a winner for me.

“It’s So Easy” is really different for Sheryl Crow. The lyrics are really schmaltzy and the piano in the beginning reminds me of “The Rose” (which has got to be one of the cheesiest songs of all time in my opinion). The chorus changes melodically and it’s unexpected. Don Henley is the guest vocalist on this song and they sound really good together and the song gains momentum as it goes along.

“Over You” is a cool song and rocks along with a guitar/string arrangement. The lyrics are nothing special but it’s a song anyone can relate to about not being able to get over someone. “Lucky Kid” also has a great rock sound as well and would probably make a nice radio song. The chorus kicks in and just begs you to belt along. It definitely reminds me of Joan Jett and it works really well.


“Diamond Road” is a wonderful little gem towards the end of the album. I love the words to this song and reminds me of the beginning of a relationship. This song is really gentle and sweet and the instrumentation is pleasing and eccentric. One part of the song kind of cascades and strangely enough reminds me of “Dear Jessie” off Madonna’s Like A Prayer album. I think you will like this one.

“It’s Only Love” isn’t a bad song and finds Crow teaming up with movie star Gwyneth Paltrow on the back-up vocals. I guess after that movie about Karaoke, Paltrow decided to go in a new direction. She sounds pretty good though. This song is nothing exceptional things and doesn’t really have a strong hook. It just meanders along and never really hits a destination. It’s not bad, but nothing to brag about either.

“Abilene” isn’t really one of my favorite’s either. I have seen her do this as a duet with Willie Nelson but on the album Natalie Maines accompanies her from the phenomenal Dixie Chicks. This song just never really touches anything and I can definitely take it or leave it.

“Hole In My Pocket” moves more back into the direction I like. A wonderful mellow groove with cheerful lyrics, a catchy tune and framing her voice nicely. The chorus is just made to be sung and it makes you want to sing when you hear it. She should definitely release this song because it has hit written all over it.

“Weather Channel” starts off with some nice melodic acoustic guitar and the melody is so temperamental and engrossing. Emmylou Harris is yet another guest vocalist and all though I am not a big fan of hers she adds a beautiful harmony to this well crafted melody. Definitely a brilliant finish to the album.

Even though some of the songs are underwhelming, this album is definitely one of the better ones that have come out this year. Filled with a wide spectrum of sounds, superb songwriting and enjoyable melodies this album is a good listen overall from start to finish. Crow is definitely one of our better songwriters on the scene and she always comes up with something worthwhile.