Oh the memories.....literally and figuratively.

Although I haven't identified with other albums by Sheryl Crow this album is something special. In 1994, I remember riding in a car down the main street in Panama City listening to "Leaving Las Vegas". Many years later, I was living in Las Vegas where I took one of the biggest risks of my life and decided to leave. By doing so, I found the happiness that constantly eluded me. This includes my husband, my work and now a baby on the way.

The album opens with a gospel infused number called "Run Baby Run". The lyrics are fantastic. They describe everything in a refreshing way and let a story of a young girl unfold who constantly runs from her problems. Crow has an oddly pleasing voice that is powerful yet gritty.

"Strong Enough" was a song that really made a large impression. I was defnitely dealing with a vast amount of issues and this song made me realize I needed a man who was strong enough to understand me. The guitar is poignant, the organ flows in the background and the lyrics are perfectly simple.

"Leaving Las Vegas" was her first gigantic hit and just one listen shouldn't leave you wondering why. Combining the soul of a free spirit with a person who believes she never had any luck, this song is about taking risks. The first time I heard this song I connected with it even though I had no idea how my life would unfold. Four years later I am sitting in Vegas with a relationship that was absolute crap, hardly any money and my only light was a previous relationship that never seemed to work out before. Yet, I decided to give it one more chance and so I packed all my stuff and took off to Utah to give this person one more chance. It truly was a huge gamble. Luckily it paid off in ways I couldn't even imagine. Now if that's not playing the odds, I don't know what is.

"Can't Cry Anymore" is a charming song with clever lyrics and its infectious. Chronicling yet another moment in my often disasterous love life, this song is powerful but also amusing.

"Solidify" is a song I didn't like when I originally had the album but now I like it. Funky with very original words, it has a very unique groove and a powerful message. You have to praise a woman who comes up with lines like
"I guess you thought I'd hide the sun from my liquid thoughts and make ice for you....You thought I'd seed my clouds with your rain of your personal dreams." I love the imagery of that because like most women I had a boyfriend who had his lofty principles but in the end he was just a pompous weakling who made a life of trying to "solidify".

"What I Can Do For You" is another interersting song about a guy trying to have his way with a woman. He's manipulating her and trying to devalue her abilities, while making her feel she needs him. Its an interesting song with its role change and I didn't get it when I was younger. Another song that has grown more profound with age.

"All I Wanna Do" is a great song that played heavily on the radio. Guitar, a nice bass line and great phrasing really enhance this song. The lyrics are conversational and reminds me of Don Henley for some reason. Considering she used to do back-up vocals for him that doesn't really surprise me.

"I Shall Believe" is an interesting song where she knows she's screwing up in a relationship but she wants her lover to just believe in her so that she can believe. The vocals on this aren't as good but the song grows on you.

Overall this is a great album, definitely the best she has done in my opinion. The songs are poignant and well written, the music is interesting yet very comfortable and her lyrics are fresh and well-concieved. I highly recommend this album for any well-rounded collection.