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Sent reeling by the one-two punch Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes delivered with I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, Ryan Adams vowed to strike back in 2005 with three of his own releases. The first--a double album, no less--sees the attention-seeking former Whiskeytown singer casting off both the raucous guitars of 2003's Rock N Roll and the rainy-day ballads of the same year's Love Is Hell in favor of the more introspective moments and rustic textures of 2000's Heartbreaker. He's snuck in at least one epic with "Meadowlake Street" and one potential radio hit with the twangy "Let It Ride," while the rest of the set is mostly packed with bleary-eyed laments that feel all too mannered after spending the last few years revealing his naked pop ambition in full. No doubt Adams will make up for it with the next one. --Aidin Vaziri

Recommended Ryan Adams Discography

Heartbreaker	Gold	Love Is Hell
Whiskeytown, Pneumonia	Whiskeytown, Stranger's Almanac	Whiskeytown, Faithless Street

... Read more

Reviews (60)

When will you come back home?

The first disc isn't very good but the second disc has its moments, some of it sounds like the songs I don't like on Pneumonia or worse while some of it is quite good. I would say on Cold Roses Ryan is in the same town of Jacksonville Skyline and Heartbreaker but still can't seem to find his way home.

I remember the rose but honey down at Midway Park the cold roses will soon be forgotten.

Simply remarkable !!!
This is a remarkable album by Ryan Adams with beautiful and also passionate back-up by the Cardinals and vocal assist by Rachel Yamagata. These are 18 distinct tracks bound together by the emotional, melancholy lyrics and melodies of Ryan Adams.If you're even close to a fan of Ryan Adams...this is a must have. Treat yourself, NOW!!!

Only because it takes so much to give an album 5 stars.
I think that this is arguably Adams' most solid and consistent record yet. I've loved all of his records, but let's admit it, even the best of them are uneven. "Heartbreaker", for all of its greatness, gets bogged down in places with its meandering acoustic numbers. Although a more solid record, "Gold" sags here and there. "Demolition", strangely enough, is a pretty solid collection, but still has the feel of a demo collection. And I could go on.

Another thing that people seem to complain about is Adams' style changing, but this has never bothered me. For some reason, it didn't seem strange to me that he would make a rock n roll record. Where he succeeds with the style changes is in the fact that ("Demolition" aside) he is consistent within each record. All of "Gold" had the same feel, all of "Love is Hell" had the same feel. And now, here is a rock-solid country-ish collection from him.

I'm not saying this is his best, I'm just saying that it feels like more of a complete work than any of the rest of his albums have. It feels like he had one creative vision and followed it through front to back.

The packaging alone is worth the four stars.

Buy this record.

excellent, but i'm not sure yet if it's a keeper
This is the type of album that would have been touted as a 'major statement' back in the 70's.But obviously the ground has shifted since then, and this album for better or worse has a calculated, 'retro' feel to it.

The worst that the cynics can say is that Ryan Adams is pandering to an aging boomer mentality (which many others besides aging boomers are afficted with), but even the curmudgeonly can't begrudge Adams his talent.Someone like this doesn't come along that often.

"Let it Ride" is a little gold nugget of a song with a gorgeous middle-eight (hey, I'm not a musician, but it's the part that goes, "I want to see you tonight, dancing in the endless moonlight...").
Not everything else on the album rises to that level, but some other songs, like "Sweet Illusion" and "Dance All Night" come pretty close.

I would rate this album higher than Stephen Stills' "Manassas" double elpee, or Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot".I have to dock it one star for being derivative.On some of the tunes, the guitar and bass do weave around in figures very reminiscent of Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh.There seems to be little point in denying that.If that sound is your cup of tea, wouldn't itmake more sense to pull out your copy of "American Beauty" instead?

Ryan Adams Rocks
Ryan Adams is hands down my favorite artist. This is one of 3 (!!) new albums he is releasing this year. Some will say that's too much, but for me it's heaven. No one can compare to him, in my eyes. COLD ROSES has Ryan and his new group the Cardinals making a great alt-country album very reminiscent of his last group Whiskeytown. "Let It Ride" is the new single and it's awesome. The album has 18 tracks, 9 on each disc. Shaping up to be one of the best cds of 2005. Check it out! ... Read more

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Australian-born Keith Urban, hot off the double-platinum success of his 2002 sophomore album, Golden Road, is kind of like contemporary country's Tom Cruise. The kid is just so unjustly talented, likeable, and good-looking that it's hard not to hate him. But such jealousy is apt to melt into begrudging admiration and affection after a quick listen to this third album. True, some of Urban's self-penned adolescent love laments and bright-eyed paeans to life in the slow lane do sound a bit callow and derivative. But, with his resolute tenor and his dazzling lead guitar work, he breathes real pain and passion into moving confessionals like Matraca Berg's "Nobody Drinks Alone," "Tonight I Wanna Cry" (a heart-rending ballad co-written by Urban), and a gentle Rodney Crowell gem called "Memories of Us." --Bob Allen ... Read more

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Few songwriters are as cinematic as Robert Earl Keen. In the tradition of Keen's classic "The Road Goes on Forever" and "Merry Christmas from the Family," his eleventh album finds the Texas troubadour transforming indelible characters, vivid description, and narrative drive into movies for the ear. He delves into the surreal with "The Great Hank," a spoken-word barroom vignette that features Hank Williams in a time warp (and in drag). He turns a fable about animals into a tale as dark and twisted as film noir in "Mr. Wolf and Mama Bear," and enlists a vocal cameo from Ray Price and a serenade from Mariachi Estrella to provide the soundtrack for the droll story of cantina overindulgence in "A Border Tragedy." Even the tender title song, about the touring musician missing his wife, shows his eye for evocative detail, with one of Keen's warmest vocals to date. Produced by his bandleader/guitarist Rich Brotherton, the album's musically expansive arrangements match the ambition of the storytelling, with guest banjo from the Bad Livers' Danny Barnes, a lovely soprano sax by John Mills on the title cut, and Celtic pipes from E.J. Jones on "The Traveling Storm." Keen may well expand his audience along with his musical range, as the uptempo "The Wild Ones" could pass as a John Hiatt cut, while "Broken End of Love" has an echo of Tom Petty. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Great American Songwriter, Singer and Performer
I bought this cd at a recent live show by REK that I attended and have to say this one's a good one.He performed some of the songs on the cd at the show and everyone there was very accepting, especially when he sang the Hank song.REK is one of America's treasures, a great songwriter, performer and vocalist.Get this one, you will not be disappointed.

A MUST HAVE
This is REK's finest album yet.Some instant classics that will be must plays at all of his concerts - For Love, What I Really Mean and Broken End of Love.The whole album from start to end is a winner.Buy it now!You will not want to take it out of your cd player.

REK returns to form
I cant tell you how happy I was when I first listened to this CD.
REK is back in good form. good songs and good production. Highly recommend it.
This is a very happy surprise after his last 2 releases.
Gravitational Forces had BAD production and decent songs.
Farm Fresh Onions had BAD production AND Bad songs.

yeeehaahes back and Im loving it

REK you did it!!!!!!!!!!!
FANTASTIC!!!! BUY THIS ALBUM!! Ever sInce Gringo Honeymoon REK has been working. Searching. Trying different things. I applaud his efforts and have always loved the music, but let me say Robert Earl Keen has finally done it. This album is fantastic. This is the first album I have listened to each track TWICE before moving on to the next song. His songwriting is superb. This CD has the old school REK that we all fell in love with but with that twist he has been working towards for nearly 10 years. He is NOT the pluck pluck yuk yuk performer that he was afraid of becoming. Superb. You just gotta buy this CD. Sit back with a cold one and enjoy. What I really mean is this possibly the best REK album yet!

What I Really Mean is Buy This CD
I have been listening to an advance copy of this album for almost two months. I have played it so often that my wife wants me to leave the house. She thinks I have a weird sickness for REK music, which I probably do. That said, I can tell you that this is an amazing CD and probably the best effort of Robert's long career. I think it could be the break out album for the premier singer songwriter from Texas.

Although I liked Farm Fresh Onions, I am really a bigger fan of some of his earlier stuff. Several songs off Bigger Piece of Sky, especially Paint the Town Beige and Crazy Cowboy Dream have always been my favorite REK tunes. I still listen to Picnic often. My favorite songs on it are: Over The Waterfall, Running With The Night and 4th of July.

If you share my love for those early songs, you are really going to like What I Really Mean. The song writing is vintage REK, and the band is excellent. Rich Brotherton may be the most under rated guitar player in the world. The rhythm section is as solid (game) as always on every song. The addition of Danny Barnes on banjo adds nicely to the sound of several tracks.

My favorite cuts on the CD are the title track with its catchy sax, banjo and wonderfully descriptive lyrics. I also love Broken End of Love. Even Bob Dylan hasn't written a song that uses the word metamorphosis. I also like the last cut, Ride, with its bouncy kind of rhythm and great lyrics.My 3-year-old daughter, who is a huge REK fan, likes Ride the best, along with Mama Bear.

If you are already a fan or just curious about Robert's music, you need to buy this CD. You will not be disappointed. Buy it and tell a friend. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The standout cuts on this follow-up to Kathleen Edwards's highly praised debut, Failer, serve notice that the Canadian artist has no intention of remaining a cult favorite in the States. The opening "In State" evokes the anthem-like sweep of Tom Petty's "Refugee," complete with signature organ by the Heartbreakers' Benmont Tench, though its lyric of a prison-bound paramour smacks of déjà vu, Failure having opened with a similar narrative. The propulsive title track, with its irresistible double-entendre hook, deserves to be Edwards's breakthrough hit, while the yearning "Old Time Sake" and the buoyant yet bittersweet "Summerlong" expose a disarming tenderness underlying her tough-chick bravado. Over the course of the album, too much of the midtempo material sounds too much the same, more inspired lyrically than musically, failing to sustain the momentum of the opening tracks. The stripped-down intimacy of "Away" will likely rekindle comparisons to Lucinda Williams, but this artist sounds eager to outgrow those. --Don McLeese

Influences and Contemporaries

Whiskeytown, Strangers Almanac	Whiskeytown, Faithless Street	Sarah Harmer, You Were Here
Sarah Harmer, All of Our Names	Lucinda Williams	Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

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Reviews (24)

great cd and great live
Not much to add to the positive reviews--love both "Back to Me" and her 1st album "Failer."Just wanted to say that I saw her live at the Canal Room in NYC back in March and it was awesome.Great foot-stompin' performance and interaction with the audience.If she comes to your area make sure to see her and her band, and if she comes (back to my area) I'll see her again.

"good things come when you stop looking ~ Kathleen Edwards"
Who is Kathleen Edwards? Well, you could say she's a singer/composer/artist who serves up delights that you'll have ringing in your heard for days and weeks...Zoe and Rounder Records brings this latest release "Back To Me", featuring Edwards strong distinctive style that takes you back to the early days of Folk Music...just like her label mates Edwards has done more for the genre today than any other performer that comes to mind...remember the likes when countryand folk music was pure and not mixed with pop.

Joining Kathleen (acoustic guitars/banjo) are Joel Anderson (drums), Richard Bell (organ), Jim Bryson (vocals), Gary Craig (drums), Colin Cripps (slide guitar), Johnny Dymond (bass), Eric Heywood (pedal steel), Jim James (vocals), Pierre Marchand (piano), Kevin McCarragher (bass), Benmont Tench (organ), Peter Von Althen (tambourine)...bring this album full circle, just the way we like 'em!

The album songs in alphabetical order and composers listed:

AWAY (Kathleen Edwards)
BACK TO ME (K. Edwards/Colin Cripps)
COPIED KEYS (K. Edwards)
GOOD THINGS (K. Edwards)
IN STATE (K. Edwards)
INDEPENDENT THIEF (K. Edwards)
OLD TIME SAKE (K. Edwards/Peter Cash)
PINK EMERSON RADIO (K. Edwards)
SOMEWHERE ELSE (Jim Bryson)
SUMMERLONG (K. Edwards/Colin Cripps)
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? (K. Edwards)

There is a lonesome tone, a mood set between genres of rock and blends of folk mixed with country...a flavor not so unbecoming for her haunting mesmerizing storytelling...as Edwards explains "If you've got nothing you've still got your family, because you are so safe inside my memory"...poetic and much of the truth rings from such lyrics...gotta love it!

Total Time: 49:00 on 11 Tracks ~ Zoe Records 1047 ~ (3/01/2005)

Wow, This is Great!
I have little to add to this discussion in the way of insight.I simply want to put in my two cents.This is the first of Kathleen Edwards that I've heard, and I am really stunned at how good it is - not only does she have a great voice, unlike some of the other artists in this vein recently, and not only are the songs really good, but there's something about the tone of this album overall that's really compelling and creates an almost-hypnotic vibe.This is truly a thing of beauty, and I plan to go out of my way to see her in concert when she comes to town . . .

This is what I call country
I hardly ever write any reviews, but when I saw the ratings KE was getting I was compelled to state my opinion. I personally think that this is one of the best albums I own. I am a huge fan of Allison Moorer, Shelby Lynne, and Lucinda Williams and I was dissapointed that there weren't more artists that provided the same depth to country music.
Well, Ms. Edwards came along and I add her to my list of Alt-Country favorites. She may not have a beautiful voice like Allison and Shelby, but her strength is in her lyrics. Her songs are like short stories/vignettes and she delivers this songs w/ such honesty and attitude that one can easily visualize each song.
I also, don't agree w/ some of the previous postings that claim that all of the songs tend to sound alike, on the contrary each song is distinct. The only song on this album I don't really like is Pink Emerson Radio. So for those who are curious about Kathleen Edwards give both of her albums a try, you won't be dissapointed.

More like 3 1/2 stars -- it's a good effort!
It was the recent music video that caught my attention to Kathleen's music once again. Although I'm interested in all new singer/songwriters, her first album, Failer, was not convincing enough for me to purchase it. With "Back to Me" the quality has increased and the edge to her music is increasing. Comparing her to Lucinda Williams is not justified as there's maybe one or two instances on the whole album that may remind us of Lucinda for a second -- Kathleen Edwards is too perfect to be compared to Lucinda Williams as I doubt it that Kathleen's band records the first take for the album like Lucinda's band does. I would compare Kathleen's style more to DAR Williams which is probably the closest comparison if comparsions need to be made. I had Kathleen's CD in my car for one spin and then again at home to listen to it a few more times -- and it does take a few times listening to it to discover her real craft, but "Back to Me" is not yet convincing enough and I restled with 3 stars or 4 stars as I think that 3 1/2 stars would be justified. Hopefully the next album will be at least 4 stars. The songs on the album vary ... some ballads, but most songs are a little bit on the wild side with some edge to it and that's good. Kathleen's voice is a little bit annoying at times as it is still a little bit too bright because of her age, but it will mature with time and then comparisons to Lucinda W. will be more realistic. ... Read more

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This supergroup with ever-changing personnel (no longer limited to seven) is less a band than a bilingual concept and boundary-crossing vision. The third and most rambunctious release under the Los Super Seven banner takes its title from the ZZ Top anthem celebrating the Mexican border radio of the 1950s and '60s. With the title track sung by Tejano mainstay Ruben Ramos, the transgenerational duet on "Cupid" by Freddy Fender and Rick Trevino, and the alcohol-fueled mariachi of "The El Burro Song" performed by the Mavericks' Raul Malo (a ringer of Cuban descent), the Hispanic imprint on the project remains much in evidence. From the northern side of the musical border, Lyle Lovett revives Bob Wills's "My Window Faces the South," Rodney Crowell renews Buddy Holly's "Learning the Game," and Joe Ely covers Holly acolyte Bobby Fuller's "Let Her Dance."

Perhaps the album's dominant influence is that of the late Doug Sahm, whose Sir Douglas Quintet was a Tex-Mex trailblazer. Sahm's spirit is channeled here through two songs he wrote--"I'm Not that Kat (Anymore)," sung by John Hiatt, and the jazzy "The Song of Everything," performed by Raul Malo--and another one he recorded, "Talk to Me," given a soulful reading by Delbert McClinton. However wide the musical range, the results rarely fall short of super. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (4)

More a Concept than a Band CD
I did not come to this CD with any pre-conceived notions.I had not heard of Los Super Seven and have not heard the prior CD's.The only song I had heard perviously was the ZZ Top tune that gives the recording its title.I heard snipets of the music in a review on the radio and thought it sounded hot.The full CD lives up to the promise of the snipets.It is really a collection of different styles and music -- latin styles I have heard but cannot name, a sort of country swing, rock, blues.It is music that was played on border radio partly because there was no outlet for it on the main stream stations."Song of Everything" is my favorite."Heard It On the X" is also good.Owing to the mix, this CD is a little like listening to a good cross cultural radio or music television station in the southwest.Appreciate it for what it is -- a tribute to the boarder radio of the 50's and 60's -- and this is a very enjoyable CD.

Different But Still Great
When I saw Los Super Seven had a new album-I ordered it sight (and sound) unseen. The first two albums were SO great there was no question- just buy it. I tore it open, threw it in the CD player in my car and was shocked to hear what others have mentioned-no sign of anyone from Los Lobos, very little Spanish language music, and alot of rock and roll...albeit superb rock and roll.
Don't be deterred by this-change is always good, and this change is wonderful. To say that this album doesn't belong under the banner of Los Super Seven misses the point: simply put-everyone who has been in LS7 grew up on this music, and therefore it is legitimately part of the series- and in fact an essential part of the series.
Border Radio (and I was thrilled by every word of the wonderful history written in this package) exemplified what LS7 is all about-cross musical and cultural pollination. This collection of updated and heartfelt updates does for Border Radio what the other albums did for Mexican and Cuban styles; brings it together and expands the vision by combining the original artists with those who grew up influenced by their innovations.
This is a GREAT record...the musicianship is superb, production and mixing wonderful, modern while never forgetting the ethos of the border radio music; hot, raw and smokin'.
Liste- I never thought I would love a ZZ Top song either (being an ethinc music snob) but that is not the point, the point is to experience and expand understanding and knowledge about an essential piece of uniquely American music- and on that count alone- this album fits in the series like a glove. Beyond that- this is a wonderful record- the ultimate back yard rockin' party record.
Expanding our musical horizons goes both ways- pushing the boundries and envelope of music and creating something new, and discovering something new that has been right in our own backyard for decades. Take the chance and let go- you'll wish you grew up on the X too...

" Heard it on the X" -- You MUST buy this C.D.

The music in this c.d. is crisp, finger snapping, toe tapping, and I hope you buy it. I just got it in the mail and I have been listening to it every day, night, and at work!
I had never heard of the " X" radio stations. I had heard of many of the musicians but had not personally listened to their music. This music opened up another culture to me. And I want more.
This music is saucy, sexy, jazzy, and with a good dose ofblues. This c.d. will make you feel as if you are listening to the music at a plaza in a border town. It made me start salivating for a libation of the tequila kind. Yes, it can be labeled "Texican " but it's that and so much more. This music is what laid the foundation for groups like Z.Z.Top.
The amount of talent on this c.d. is mind blowing. It had to be great. If you don't know all of them you will get to know them. The music is that good.
After having more than one boy friend who was an alcoholic I found it refreshing to hear a man ( Raul Malo) sing about his girl friend being SO hung over she can't get up.
The El Burro Song is sung with heart and grace, as only Raul can do. The sonic fusion of Calexico, Mariachi Relampago, and Raul's smooth, virile-fueled voice is pure musical alchemy! This is the first song on the c.d. and after hearing this song, you too will be hooked. The next song is " Cupido" which brings the collaboration of Freddie Fender and Rick Trevino. It's a dynamite combination and I hope they do more music together. " Cupido dame la mano" - Cupid help me, lend me a hand.
It's tastefully done and this song will have you heading for the fridge for some kind of libation. I know it made me.
Every single song is great. Song #5 - "My Window Faces the South" sung by Lyle Lovett, reminded me of sitting on the Moon Walk in New Orleans watching the boats go by. The melody is pure " Southern" bliss. His voice is perfect for this song. The two were born to be together.
You will also enjoy song #9 - Ojos Traidores sung by Rick Trevino. He's sad, he's mad, he's hurt and you hear it in his voice. All I could think was, "Boy, she's a mean girl that dark eyed woman." Rick Trevino sings with a lot of soul and you feel his pain.
When you read the credits of all the major talent involved you should note the assistance that was given by the legendary talents of Flaco Jimenez, Arturo "Sauce" Gonzalez, Charlie Sexton, Jacob Valenzuela, Max Baca, on and on. There is no way this c.d. was going to be a dud. It's filled with much illustrious talent. Kudos to the producers who did a great job on this c.d. It was a great under taking and the end product is for your enjoyment.
I have no negative feedback on any of the songs. The music blew me away. I even loved the artwork on the cover. The only things that vexed me were the pictures of all the singers who contributed. They don't indicate who is who. And another thing missing, that miffed me, was the absence of the lyrics. They were nowhere to be found. Come on now, you have great music you must have great words. And you do -- you just don't have them written anywhere for you to read them.
This c.d. stands alone and should be purchased and enjoyed. Trust me, you will fall in love with the music. Some of the lyrics are racy considering the music was written in the 30s and 40s but a lot of it is timeless - ageless, what ever you want to call it. Don't deprive yourself, buy this c.d. and let your mind take you to a place where you can enjoy this great music.

NOT Los Super 7
Before even considering the quality of the music, let me say that I felt cheated by this CD. To sell this CD as the third from Los Super 7 is, to say the least, questionable. The first and second Los Super 7 CD's gave us a blend of Latino and Americana music, played with pioneering spirit. This third Los Super 7 CD just gives you Texas Americana. It is not particularly spirited or pioneering. Some songs are nice, but not more than that. Nowhere do the artists go beyond their normal scope. Furthermore, nowhere in the booklet the Los Lobos members, that to me formed the core of Los Super 7,are mentioned. Why aren't they here? Had I known beforehand I would not have bought this CD. The name Los Super 7 is misused for commercial reasons and the many fine musicians on this CD are not taken beyond there usual borders, which to me is the real betrayal. ... Read more

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A spark of redemption illuminates even the darker songs on Mercy Now, the fourth album by Mary Gauthier (pronounced "go-shay"). The influence of her native Louisiana pervades her Southern Gothic songcraft, which first won an audience in the folk clubs of Boston. After a series of releases on independent labels, her Lost Highway debut seems destined to expand that audience significantly. Within her mature, weather-beaten artistry, Dylanesque metaphysics go to Mardi Gras on "Wheel Inside the Wheel"; the naked emotion and eye for detail of "Your Sister Cried" and "Empty Spaces" conjure comparisons with Lucinda Williams; and the plainspoken "I Drink" and "Drop in a Bucket" have the bittersweet bite of the best of John Prine. The spare arrangements of producer/guitarist Gurf Morlix, punctuated by cello, organ, and harmonica, give the material plenty of room to breathe. Gauthier's vocals are half-spoken, half-sung, and all soul. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Out of Nowhere! (or not...)
I can't believe that I had never heard of Mary before this album. I listen everyday and never tire of her music or her voice. Had Kris and Janis had a love child, this is how she would have sounded...the best of both.

Mary is Simply Incredible!!!
My wife and I are long-time, hard-core John Prine fans. So, when we bought our tickets to see him in June in Chicago we noticed Mary Gauthier (say go-shay y'all!) was opening for him.

We went out and grabbed Mercy Now just to be sure we were familiar with John's opener. MY GAWD! This album is just amazing! I can't believe we have missed out on her music until now.

Mary is at the top of her game writing and performing songs as great or greater than any of her heros did in their own prime! I NEVER expect to like more than 50% of a new CD (even by my favorite artists) but I LOVE every cut on this CD!

The only complaint I have is her other three CDs are kinda hard to find. I ended up buying all three from the company linked from her web site. (And yes, they are awesome as well!)

Don't even give this a second thought - buy this CD and get ready to listen to nothing else for the next week!

Mercy, Mercy Me
Listen to this album a few times, and a number of the songs will burn themselves indelibly into your brain.The songs are bleak, but the songwriting is of the highest order -- each image is exactly apt.Her voice is a perfect match for the material, as well.

FBI Warning!
I heard Mary Gauthier interviewed and the album previewed on NPR. I am not a C&W fan but was taken with her interview and the raw intensity of the tracks I heard.

The CD just arrived.My only complaint: the very cheaply and poorly printed CD label is dominated by a reversed out 'FBI Anti-Piracy Warning' that consumes probably 50% of the label.

I initially thought it was part of the label art. It isn't.

It is an insulting, tacky and supremely ineffective step by her record company. If anything a real provocation to pirate it, from my POV. Fortunately for them I wouldn't know how to!

"Just say she's a rhymer, and rhymers get restless"
I am probably the last person you would expect to be enthusiastic over what is billed as a 'country' album.Whatever that is.But, for some reason, I've heard 'Mercy Now' four times in the past five days, and if country music always sounded like that song, I would be listening to a whole lot more of it.I would call Gauthier's work country/folk and the in name for that definition seems to be Southern Gothic, a genre name that doesn't make a whole lot sense to me.But the songs on this album, they make sense to me, as they would to anyone who loves carefully crafted, gritty lyrics.

Yes, these are often dark songs.Yet somehow the upbeat peeks through almost unexpectedly.Mercy Now and Prayer Without Words are good examples of that.In other words, they may be sad, but they aren't hopeless, and that little bit of a hook will grab you every time.There is a subtle spirituality here as well - listen to Wheel Inside The Wheel, for example:

Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
So, ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel

This is interesting work, even if, at its heart it is still about broken relationships, human disasters, being down and out, etc.And there is intelligence behind the lyrics, and a real artistry behind the songs.Give it a listen and you'll see what I mean.

Gauthier has a true Southern whiskey voice, complete with edgy whine.And yet it is capable of a surprising number of colors, from really down and out to gently caring, and oh yes, just a dash of pointed sarcasm.I Drink is a masterpiece of the latter.In an interview, Gauthier mentioned that she often rewrites a song several hundred times, and this level of craftsmanship shows everywhere.

This will probably be my one and only country album, but it is surely one I'll listen to often. ... Read more

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Garage-rock hero Jack White producing honky-tonk legend Loretta Lynn? And Lynn comparing him to renowned Nashville producer Owen Bradley? Yes, we all know the world is rapidly shrinking, but now we've seen everything. Most stunning of all--they nailed it. For the first time, Lynn has written all of an album's songs, and her lyrics are as cutting and incisive as ever. On the powerful, biting "Family Tree," she brings her babies to the home of her husband's mistress, so that they can see the "woman that's burning down our family tree." Throughout she cunningly tackles tried-and-true honky-tonk themes of love gone bad, drinkin', cheatin', and murder. Lynn even offers a compelling slice of theological fatalism ("God Makes No Mistakes"). White's production--mostly stark and atmospheric--ranges from more-traditional country to straight-up White Stripes, with most tracks falling somewhere in between. White duets with Lynn on the rousing one-night-stand story "Portland, Oregon," but he does not need to sing to leave his personal stamp. At 70, Lynn seems thoroughly engaged and delighted; at times she delivers some of the most emotionally potent singing of her career. A decade earlier, Johnny Cash turned to rock and rap producer Rick Rubin, and the move resuscitated Cash's career. Now, Jack White has done the same for Loretta Lynn, another country legend whose music is simply too raw and honest for the contemporary country crowd. Van Lear Rose exceeds all expectations, a bold collaboration in which artists from two different musical universes forge a memorable work that neither could have created alone. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (153)

"HAVE MERCY!" and other great songs
Now, let's hear a review from a REAL music fan (one that's not from California, hint, hint).

While Rick Rubin was able to revitalize the Man In Black's career, Jack White has taken the Coal Miner's Daughter and one upped the man with the Texas goatee. He's helped her create the best compilation this amazing woman has ever put out. Even better, they're all originals.

Combining Lynn's beautiful, bitter sweet tone and Appalacian sensibilities (as best heard on the song 'Miss Being Mrs.') with White's revamped, solid, country 'twang' guitar style, the two have made an album that is truer to country music than the vast majority of acts that you would hear nowadays on CMT or your local country radio station. Even when White reverts back to a more garage blues guitar style, such as in 'Portland Oregon' or his solo at the end of the 'Long Black Veil'-esque song 'Woman's Prison', he's still able to do it in a way that oozes honky-tonk. While this is not the same Loretta Lynn that was known 30-40 years ago, she's still able to create music that paints a clear, poignant picture of the world that she grew up in, and holds dear to this very day. Buy, listen, love.

Oh, and don't worry. This will be my only review for this album. Sham on, buddy (you know who you are).

Electric. Fires on all cylinders.
First let me say, that though I have respected the musicianship of both Loretta Lynn and Jack White, I have never bought any of their music before this album. I am not on a street team, I don't have an axe to grind about the state of Country Music or Alternative Rockers, and I don't work for the record company or get a kickback for anything. This album is friggin' awesome. It's electric and it fires on all cylinders. The professional marriage of Loretta Lynn and Jack White couldn't be more perfect. I listened to this for the first time last week and have already bought 4 more copies for friends. I'm the type of person who listens to a new CD and latches on to a song here and there, often skipping around to hear my favorites. This album had me listening straight through again and again and thanking whoever was responsible for bringing this gift to me. Loretta is a storyteller of the highest order and her expressive voice is only surpassed by her brilliant, often hilarious and always affecting lyrics. Jack White lavishes her with the attention her talent deserves, punctuating the rough edges and pulling back for heartbreaking reveals. Just get this CD. Buy more than one. And be happy that the stars aligned and we benefit. I still marvel that in this day and age of overproduction, these two have pulled off a resonant, simple and beautiful album that rocks, is full of surprises and is endlessly infused with plain old down-home charm. I'm officially in love.

Lovely Loretta
After reading a very favorable article about this album in Rolling Stone, I knew I had to buy it. It's wonderful. Loretta's voice is as beautiful as always and Jack White is a great addition. It's the kind of album that grows on you, too. After listening to it a couple of times, you appreciate it even more.

Album of the year
It's hard for musicians to reinvent themselves or do something new and exciting so late in their careers. It's great that Jack White has got involved with someone like Loretta Lynn, because then maybe young people will start listening to older music. All the songs are pretty exciting, a mix of rock and country. Country music never sounded so weird and fun. It is a revolution.

Loretta is Amazing!
You have to listen to this album with an open mind becasuse it is none like Loretta has ever put out, but all songs were written by her, and I have to say I like the entire album. Some of the songs have a rock edge but Loretta keeps up just fine. Some of the songs are as country as you can get. Very good album. I reccomend it. My favorite songs are, Vanleer Rose, Miss Being Mrs, High on a Mountain top, and Mrs Leeroy Brown. They are all different, but its all good music. Great instrumental music as well as vocal. Loretta is Amazing! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The infectious twang and pop hooks of Wilco's former efforts may be fading fast, but A Ghost Is Born is still a rewarding effort that demands repeated listening. The group's fifth album extends upon the experimentalism of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot with angular, blues-soaked guitar riffs ("At Least That's What You Said," "Hell Is Chrome"), a handful of sparse, yet catchy tunes (smack dab in the middle of the disc) that will surely keep college radio stations smiling, and a lengthy track that descends into mere static ("Less Than You Think"). Frontman Jeff Tweedy's songwriting continues to evolve: "Hummingbird" is a dreamy Randy Newman-styled love song; "The Late Greats" is a sly ode to the world of pop tacked onto the end of the album (as if using such a fun song on this understated disc was an afterthought). Meanwhile, producer extraordinaire Jim O'Rourke manages to make the most complicated arrangements here sound minimalist and laid-back. All told, it's another great addition to the Wilco canon. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (142)

Been Waiting Too Long
I'd give it four stars in the LP era, where I'd have to listen through the 15 minute static noises of "Less Than You Think". This is a John Cage 4'33-esque commentary on what can be considered music. I won't get into that now, but it's good to listen to it at least once in context of the whole album. Especially since it contrasts very starkly with the straightforward track "The Late Greats," which is probably the closest thing you'll get to Alt-Country on this album. Anyway, luckily we have the skip track button for casual listening. The rest of the album is incredible.
If you like climaxes, this is your album. Several songs start off slow and progress into some pretty hard hitting rock and dissolve into distortion. There are less dings and pings on Ghost than YHF. Ghost is more minimalist, relying more on primal baselines and rythmic sequences that make you sort of lose time within the song, often before hitting you hard with a jam. "Spiders" is the eiptome of this, and probably is the musical version of Tweedy's well-publicized migraines.
Bottom line; the alt-country fans hoping for Another A&M, the pop fans hoping for another Summerteeth, those in between hoping for another Being There, and everyone else who came on board with YHF hoping for more of the same didn't get your wishes. But that's what I love about Wilco, each album is distinctively Tweedy, but there's always something new to keep you interested.

Don't Judge Too Soon
It's a classic mistake -- a big name band comes out with a new album, and critics and fans alike step in immediately to give their first impressions. If there's one band for which that approach is a consistent a mistake, it's Wilco. Like many, I'm frightened of albums that I instantly like; they invariably begin to fade away sooner than later.

"A Ghost is Born" will leave many bumfuzzled out of the starting gate. Similar in overall style and structure to its controversial predecessor "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", this record depends heavily on brooding atmospherics which envelope the rather conventional melodies. This is Jeff Tweedy's niche; the basic pop song format shadowed and subverted by dissonant, disquieting counter-themes. For those willing to submit to Wilco's own (admittedly wry) internal logic, the rewards will come; doubt will fade like Smarty Jones in the final leg of the Belmont, and the patient listener will be overtaken and surprised by a work of unexpected depth.

Among the better tracks are "Hell is Chrome", which sounds like Paul Simon backed by Dark Side-era Pink Floyd; the breezy yet bittersweet "Wishful Thinking"; and "Theologians," a blue-collar manifesto that supplies the album's thesis with cleverly employed Biblical analogies. But the song that stands out most is "Muzzle of Bees," and astonishingly schizoidal piece whose delicate acoustic elements are trampled by wailing electric histrionics. "Muzzle" best demonstrates Wilco's disparate musical interests while showing off their latently strong musicianship.

Give this one a chance. Odds are it will make regular rounds in your CD changer well into the future.

what are you people thinking?!
This is not going to be so much a cd review as it is a rebuttal to all those who write reviews for this site...including you, Amazon.com.

Okay, forget that Wilco is one of (if not the) most innovative rock (yes, rock) bands that exists today..."Ghost" is simply a very brave and very, very amazing album that any band would sell its soul to even have conceived of, let alone create. What Wilco accomplishes on this album, even more so than YHF, is emotion - hard, raw emotion without allowing the incredible success of said YHF to interfere. Wilco (Tweedy specifically, though not exclusively) is fast proving itself a creative force which relies not on jingles and soon-to-be-radio-slough to sell its albums...in fact, Wilco couldn't care less if it sells albums or not (research your YHF history to see what I mean). Wilco proves to all us earlier non-believers that there still are those artists out there who believe in their music as an extension of themselves, as a reflection of who they truly are, not who their so-called fans wish them to be. They are artists in every sense of the word, meaning they toss critisism to the wayside as the simple opinions of those who can't...or, in the very least, won't. Art does not demand critism to exist, only the critic. So, so-called fans, save all your critisms for the next J-Lo album or whatever piece of trash you're currently reviewing. Wilco is above you all.

Now, on to the achievements of "Ghost" - amazing, spectacular, artistic, and true. That is all.

Okay, this is the Wilco cd I've waited for
I came to Wilco as a fan of the 90's band, Son Volt (and if you haven't heard of them, you are in for treat). After falling in love with those records, I followed Farrar and Tweedy in their musical travels, but Tweedy's records just never quite made it for me. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was okay, but nothing special.

This cd is great. It takes a song or two really get going, but man, it's worth it. The songs are beautiful and dream-like. The lyrics are lovely. The long musical interludes are hypnotic. For me, this is the best Wilco cd by far. Get this one.

Great Music to Fall Asleep to
We have all heard the story before and you will hear it again, about a band that hit it big by being spurned by their record company over what was one of the better albums of the last decade. Problem is that if they had turned this album instead of YHF, I am not sure that anyone would really be complaining all that mcuh.

A Ghost is Born reminds me of the inferior B-Side Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album. While I am not one of those Alt-Country Snobs that wishes Wilco would do alt-country again or pine for the days of Uncle Tupelo, I do pine for the Jeff Tweedy/Jay Bennett songwriting and stage presence that is missing on this album. The best three albums by Wilco are Being There, Summerteeth and, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and its no coincidence on each of those albums, Jay plays a crucial role in the music writing process. The problem with this album is that it becomes Jeff Tweedy and the Wilcos. More Guitar strung out guitar solos and ridiculous droning that someone will argue as being some artistic masterpiece. Well Jeff Tweedy is trying to prove something, but you know I just want an album that I can listen to over and over again and not get tired of it.

There are some great songs on this album. Hummingbird is a great song and shows once again that they do still have it in them to write a great pop song. Handshake Drugs sounds like later Velvet Underground material. While I always loved the song it had already been released before (Albeit a different mix). Theologians has also grown on me.

There are a lot of forgettable songs on this album as well. Muzzle of Bees and Wishful thinking just don't really do much for me. Spiders was turned into a huge mistake by making it 10 minutes and do we really need endless nonstop sounds on Less than You think. Maybe you like to listen to bells and whistles nonstop but I surely do not. Im a Wheel is probably one of the worst songs that Wilco has ever written. I rolled my eyes the first time I heard this song live and I was just hoping that they would realize their mistake and make this some odd B-Side.

If you never have bought a wilco album this is not the one to start off with. This band has pretty much done no wrong coming into this album. Each one of their albums they have grown as a band but what we notice more on this album is maybe the dismantling of Wilco. The bands makeup is changing more than Menudo and that has to be worrysome. You cannot have any type of growth when you only have two original members and the others have either been kicked out, fired or just sick and tired of it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The West of veteran TV writer/Deadwoodcreator David Milch is as grim as it is gritty, sprinkled with salty dialogue and punctuated by sudden brutality and raw sexuality. The original soundtrack cues by composer David Schwartz (represented here by his evocative show theme), Michael Brook and Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek play off that vision with often stark rootsiness. But it's the series' rich slate of songs -- choices whose inventiveness often rivals that of The Sopranos -- that consistently reinforce its all-too-human drama, if not the crusty veneer. This collection gathers the best songs from the series' first season, coloring the milieu with evocative hillbilly romps like Michael Hurley's "Hog of the Forsaken" and the a capella grace of Margaret's Native American "Creek Lullaby." But the collection's musical eclecticism stretches far beyond mere genre concerns, variously encompassing the nascent jazz of Jelly Roll Morton (a rollicking "Stars and Stripes Forever"), Delta blues of Bukka White and Mississippi John Hurt and even Gustavo Santaolalla's hypnotic Brazilian fretwork. But the collection's country and folk-tinged performances are its most resonant, whether invoking earthy traditions (the gospel fervor of the late June Carter Cash's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee's more heretical "God and Man") or more contemporary stylings like Lyle Lovett's "Old Friend" and the gentle "Twisted Little Man" by Michael J. Sheehy.--Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great companion to the show
Since Carnivale is in such dire straits, I've really gotten into this HBO show, which serves as a good replacement in my heart. For those not in the know, its a gritty, violent western that takes place in the gold-mining camp of Deadwood, where famous names like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane traipse through. I knew I would enjoy the soundtrack, as it had a lot of blues and country stuff I was familiar with. June Carter Cash singing 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' would turn even the most hardcore atheist into a believer, and the Bukka White and the Jelly Roll Morton tracks were great too, but there were so many other amazing surprises on it for me. Top song is called 'Hog of the Forsaken' and is this nuts piece of fiddle and yodel and lunatic lyrics. I loved it. There are other tracks on the CD that are good songs, but do not work within the context of the show, specifically 'Twisted Little Man', which doesn't sound very western at all. Still, a high quality selection of tracks, and the show soundbites on the disc, which contain more cussin' then Tarantino in the shower, are great too.

Dusty, grim and sometimes poignant (like the series)
As a fan of the series Deadwood, I found this soundtrack CD to be both satisfying on its own merits and a successful evocation of the spirit of the series.It contains a lot of authentic American music that has the traditional feeling appropriate to the Old West setting of the show.There's gospel, folk, country, blues, and many pieces of miscellaneous instrumental music.It's telling that when the music producers wanted a true-sounding version of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," they went to the source, June Carter Cash.I also like the fact that they filled their show and this disc with many excellent songs by relatively unknown artists like Mark Lee Scott and Michael Sheehy.However, I think my very favorite music from the CD are some of the instrumentals, especially the themes by Gustavo Santaolallo and the great Michael Brook.In between the music, there's also a great deal of dialogue samples from the show -- and that's what gives the CD its parental advisory label.(The presence of strong language in those dialogue samples will be no surprise to anyone who has seen Deadwood!) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nomadic Southern evangelist Leon Followill may take soap suds to the mouths of the kinfolk wunderkinds--his three sons and a nephew--in Tennessee quartet Kings of Leon, whose second album spins enough cuss phrases and sexual allusions to leave Dolly Parton flushed. But the peculiar 20-something longhairs also fuel up on a filthy shotgun bass and relentless guitar riffs, complementing the delightfully discordant drawl of vocalist Caleb Followill to whittle a 35-minute grab bag of garage rock, English blues, sixties psychedelia, London Calling-ska, spaced-out country waltzes and front-porch, red-state revelry. Without revising its 2003 debut Youth & Young Manhood, producer Ethan Johns (The Jayhawks, Ray LaMontagne) steers the band down a similar mischievous road, integrating poles-apart rhythms and techniques into an energized jumble of rotating tempos and lyrical bombshells. Putting faith in earth-shakers like "Velvet Snow" and "Pistol Of Fire," the wound down and pleasing "Milk" and its yodeling cousin "Day Old Blues," the Kings ultimately escape Preacher Leon’s retribution, rendering him speechless--save for a simple "amen." --Scott Holter ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Sony-BMG are Twats, but KoL Still Rock
Firstly, in response to reviewers like FarkingBastage, it is perfectly acceptable to voice whatever concerns you have with a CD in your review. Readers who are thinking about purchasing the CD need to know not only whether the music is good, but also whether it's a royal pain to play the music on iPods or burn a backup copy for yourself. This is a product review, and there is no reason why it must be constrained to the music. If I feel like commenting on the album art, DRM protection, or anything else, then, it's certainly relevent.

In that vein, Sony-BMG needs a swift kick in the face. I use iTunes & iPod to play all my music. I have a new-ish Dell with WinXP, but, for some reason, programs like Easy CD CReator and Media Player don't recognize my CD Burner. It's some kind of glitch, because I downloaded other burning programs, and they work. iTunes also burns audio CD's. The problem, however, is that SunnComm's techsupport people suggest burning an audio CD with Windows Media Player, then ripping it with iTunes. This is their "official" solution!! Technical geniuses, I tells ya. So, since Windows Media Player is the only way to burn DRM-protected songs to CD, I'm screwed. I can't put these songs on my iPod. Nor can I make backup CD's in case this one gets scratched or lost.

In the future, I will avoid these "protected" albums if at all possible. Even now, I find myself wishing I could take the CD back and buy the tracks from iTunes Music Store.

However, on to the music. Kings take it to the next level on this one. I loved Y&YM---hearkening back to some real ballsy, gritty southern rock. Caleb Followill's voice is just so damn unique, and fits in with the sort of southern-rock-on-a-friday-night aura of the band. Aha Shake just seems tighter, more seamless, even if a few of the songs lack the hook that Youth packed over and over again. Nothing comes without a price, I suppose...but the rock-ness of Aha Shake makes up for what's lost in memorable riffs.

Oddly enough, I always seem to remember my least favorite track with these guys. On Youth, it was "Molly's Chambers". I heard about KoL through the Onion AV Club---not via the incessant radio airings of Molly's Chambers. Good thing, too, because if I had based my judgment of them on that most popular song, I'd not have even thought about buying the album.

On Aha Shake, my least favorite song is "Day Old Blues". I'm positive I'm not the only one. It starts with a slow, melodic poeticism. Then, like many other KoL songs, it breaks into harder/faster style for the chorus. The problem is, from that point on, the vast majority of the song is this annoying chorus, over and over again. "Dayo-Dayo-Dayoohhhh, Dayo-Dayo-Dayoohhhh, Dayo-Dayo-Dayoohhhh, a-BLOOOHOOO!" Repeat. Again. And again. One more time. Talk about a broken record...quite frankly, I am forced to skip over this track every time. What were they thinking?

The rest of the album is slick, rockin, heavy, but still spry on its feet. Highly recommended---but, if I were you, I'd buy it @ iTunes Music Store to get around Sony-BMG's annoying DRM mechanism.

Excellent music, terrible cd
i love the cd and listen to it constantly. however, the copyright protection is terrible. it is easy to google and hack it, but i just refuse to accept drm like this. i refuse to pay good money for a cd and not be able to use it the way i want to (i.e., put on ipod). i returned it. hope you do too.

BRILLIANT!
I find it interesting that most of the reviews for this cd are either 5 stars or 1 star. Ah, those crazy Kings of Leon. You either love em or hate em.Of course, many of the 1 star reviews are attributed to the capabilities (or lack thereof) of burning the cd to IPods and MP3 players, etc. While that may be annoying, I personally can't relate because I simply downloaded the album from the internet and it works just fine on my cd player.

And oh how fine Aha Shake Heartbreak truly is! On my first listen, by the time the opening track Slow Night So Long ended, I was grinning ear to ear. Finally a band that not only knows how to rock, but knows how to have fun! It's like the Beatles and the Stones have been resurrected through these kids. Every damn song on this album is sure to make you want to sing, smile, and... well, shake. Seriously, everytime I hear the drum and jingle bell intro to Taper Jean Girl, I want to get up and jump up and down on my car. If only I could do that while my car drives by itself.

Some people may not like these guys because of Caleb's voice, which is scratchy and pretty unintelligible. But once you get past the fact that you can barely understand anything this guy says, you come to realize it doesn't matter. This is pure rock n' roll, people. Best rock album I've heard in a LONG time. Best of 2005.

"Heartbreak" is right!
Kings Of who????I have not heard of this band until rumor had it they were touring with U2.Shortly after, I caught "The Bucket" on the radio and thought that it was worthwhile to pick up the album.Aha!Where do these great review from the likes of Rolling Stone come from???I wasnt only disapointed with the album, I have given serious thought of selling the album back.I love all kinds of music, especially alt rock.But this is beyond anything I've heard.Not worth it.

Quit Your Whining!
This is for all the reviewers who have complained about the copyright protection on this CD.Uhhh....you are stupid.But, more importantly, please stop reviewing the album based on the copyright protection.The copyright protection has nothing to do with the music itself.

If you hate the album, you hate the album, but the copyright protection has nothing to do with the music.

BTW, you dolts, I had almost NO PROBLEM copying this album to my hard drive and then copying it to disc.Yes, I DID have problems doing it disc to disc, but so what?Maybe you need to get a system better than Windows 98, maybe you need some better burn software...I don't know.Maybe monkeys are more computer literate than you.But, IT'S NOT THAT HARD, SO QUIT YOUR BITCHING!

I am giving this album 5 stars for two reasons.First, because it is awesome and doesn't resemble anything I hear on the radio today.The Kings are in a league of thier own!

Second, so I can hopefully help push up the rating of this album from all the bellyachers who gave it one or two stars on a criteria THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MUSIC!It is too bad Amazon doesn't have moderators, because I would report all you people and have your reviews thrown out, sort of like a defense attorney raises an objection to a judge and claims "relevance".

Now go back to computer school 101 and get off this board!

Go Kings! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lovely songs; Sleeper Film.
This is very nice compilation of thoughtful ballads, some of lesser known singers and writers.Travolta can carry a tune (it would appear).His singing meshes well with his character in this charming movie.All things considered, this is a rathr good, enjoyable film.I especially like the numerous literary references.I am commenting on both the soundtrack and film, as both are worry of listening and viewing.

Grayson Capps
This is an incredible soundtrack not to mention a great little independent film. Don't listen to the critics on this one because the majority of them are flat out wrong. There should be more movies like this with compelling stories, strong acting and sweet music. Much better than the blockbuster trash that's so prevalant today. Anyhow, check out the soundtrack if only for the great New Orleans singer/songwriter Grayson Capps -- who's a little known gem from that historic music town. The rest of the soundtrack is worthy too...with tracks by Thalia Zedek, Trespassers William (another little known band that is pretty incredible), Los Lobos, Nada Surf, lots of rare blues and two sweet little songs by John Travolta. I couldn't have made a better mix of music myself! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Was it homesickness that compelled long time Los Angeles resident k. d. lang to fashion her one woman campaign for north of the border nationalism, or just plain good sense? As an organizing tool, all Canadian content has long been a mainstay of the Canadian Broadcasting System but few have selected their material with such a fine hand and a high aesthetic. The expatriate singer has taken great pains to create a sophisticated homage to her Canadian roots, elegantly reinterpreting 11 songs penned by some of her more illustrious countrymen (and women) such as Jane Siberry, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. The idiosyncratic chanteuse turns Cohen's "Bird on a Wire" into an aching monochromatic lament, exploring new tributaries of pain that didn't exist in the original, while recasting Neil Young's "Helpless" into haunting anthem of memory and comfort, all the while sounding anything but helpless. A gorgeous love letter to her brethren, complete with an intelligent and understated orchestration. --Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Amazon.com

While the hype machine forever proclaims this or that new artist to be "unique," "original," or "a fresh new voice," most of the time what you hear is more of the same old, same old. Thus, it is a rare joy to hear a newcomer that actually qualifies as all of the above. Mindy Smith fits loosely in the alt-country genre but adds some distinctive touches that set her apart from the field. A residency in Nashville brings a welcome Music Row level of craftsmanship to the playing and production, while her singing and songwriting take the music to places where cliché has never been. A song like "Hurricane" has a hook Faith Hill would kill for, but tells a tale of rebirth that might prove a little raw for her emotional range. Like Julie Miller, Smith writes songs that deal with redemption and spiritual matters in a way that is powerful without being off-putting to the more secular among us. Likewise she can write about her stepmother's passing in terms general enough to make it a stirring ode to the loss of any love--and do it in a voice that could make a statue misty. Smith more than held her own on the Dolly Parton tribute, Just Because I'm a Woman, alongside the likes of Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, and Dolly herself. One Moment More proves that it was no fluke. This time believe the hype. --Michael Ross ... Read more

Reviews (64)

EVERYONE NEEDS THIS CD! MINDY IS OUTSTANDING!
Wow! I was so impressed by Mindy Smith's debut album. She is definitly one of the best female singers anywhere. Her songwriting skills are unbelievable. Mindy's voice is the kind that only comes along once in a lifetime. So do yourself a favor and don't miss out on this CD. I wish I could tell you what the best songs on the album are but EVERY SINGE ONE is my favorite. I couldn't even pick one over another if I tried. Mindy caught my interest by singing "Jolene" on a Dolly Parton tribute album so I decided to keep an eye on any material she put out. I was beyond surprised at how great this CD is. I never would have expected something as emotional, thoughtful, and well put-together as Mindy's CD. Support Mindy Smith and go buy this CD as soon as possible!! You will never regret it.

Great, ORIGINAL Singer/Songwriter.
In a world of today, full of musical bubble-gum pop garbage such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, or rap such as 50 Cent or Eminem, Mindy Smith is in a world all her own.

She renews our faith that original singer and songwriters who write heartfelt lyrics still exist. And she makes her presence known. When she sings a song on this album, her lyrics are so filled with emotion, you can FEEL the song. And that's what good music to me is. A song that you can relate to, or even if you can't, you understand what the song is about, and you can feel it in the music. All of the songs on this CD are great, and I can easily listen to them all, but with any CD there are favorites. Stand-out songs for me are:

Angel Doves - A very great moving song. I am not a very religious person (at all, really) myself, but you can't help but feel this song. It really hits you. - "Spreading hope out over us, like angel doves."

Down In Flames - A slow, depressing, melancholy type of song. You can translate it several ways...but either way you do, you'll get a great meaning from this song. It's great. "I need some direction, I need someone to listen, someone to tell me that they know, that life's so hard, it's the little things that seem to be getting me today, yeah...and I'm going down in flames, going down in flames"

Hurricane - Another slow, melancholy type of song. The echo in her voice after she says she heard the faint trace of thunder is lovely. The lyrics are great, a really well put together song.

Jolene - Although a Dolly Parton cover, for anyone who may have never heard Dolly's version, you'd think Mindy Smith wrote it herself. I prefer this to Dolly (or anyone else's) version. Mindy Smith's voice is great on this song, especially on the "Jolene's"

One Moment More - I like the acoustic version better, without all the background music, it's more sad and sentimental, but this version is great too. Probably my 2nd favorite on the CD. A great love song. "You've got to hold me, yeah, and show me now...give me, just one part of you to cling to...and keep me, everywhere you are."

Raggedy Ann - My favorite song on this album. The level of emotion Mindy is able to write through these lyrics and through her voice in this song is unlike any I've ever heard. There's no way to describe it unless you hear it for yourself. The way she says "hey" a lot, is also wonderful. "I'm just a little girl, I'm Raggedy Ann, making believe I'm happy, hey, Raggedy Ann, falling apart at the seams."

To sum it up, this album is one of the best EVER. Amazing for a debut CD. The hype is real for this CD. Mindy Smith is not like any other artist out there today, she's unique. And that alone is warrant to at least give this CD a listen, add to that the songs are well-written, real, touching songs is a nice little bonus. I can't wait for a follow up album to this.

Best Album of the Year!
Every song on here is a winner.

This CD has folk, country & rock songs and they are all great.

I can't for Mindy to put out another CD and hopefully I'll see her in concert soon!

Buy this CD, it is great!!

To The Core Of One's Soul
I had never heard of Mindy Smith until I caught her opening for Jonny Lang last night in Saratoga and as guilty as I feel for saying this, I was totally and completely moved by her songs and her genuine and heartfelt love for her music! Her spectacular raspy voice can touch the inside of anyone who takes the time to listen to her! She will go far and I hope for many more CD's to be released by her! She wrote all of her own lyrics and damn, that gal can sing!

Saw her in concert
She is AWESOME! Last night I saw her in concert with Johnny Lang and she rocked! She filled the concert hall with her powerful voice and sent chills down our spines. I would recommend her to anyone! ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Something different, finally...
I totally disagree with the idea that these guys are anything like the Strokes or any other indi-pop band I've heard. These guys are actually good. The sound, as someone else mentioned, is refreshing. Every time I put the CD in, people ask who it is. For a debut, it's an unbelivable album.
In terms of influences, I hear undertones of The Black Crowes, AC/DC, Tom Petty, and Rolling Stones. Odd thing is, of those guys, the only one I like is Tom Petty. But I like Kings of Leon. They have some serious energy, great hooks, fun lyrics, and they play the hell out of their instruments.
There are two or three songs I don't like, but for the most part these guys put together a great string of tunes. "Happy Alone" will stick in your head for days. "Dusty" is probably my sleeper favorite. Sort of this spoken-word ramble with thumping bass and cool twangy guitar licks. Kinda like what you might get if you put Chuck Berry in a garage band...
I'd love to see them live, and will definitely check out their next album.

great band
I bought this album not knowing much about it. I had read some reviews and stuff and decided to give it a try. The first time I heard it I thought that it was really good. The vocals are different. After hearing the vocals a few times you get used to it. Once you get past that the album is awesome. The instrument play is above the rest. The only better instrument play these days is the White Stripes. The strokes suck and to compare Kings of Leon to them is absurd. If you cant see the southern rock influence then you dont live in the south and dont listen to our music. Buy this cd. You wont regret it. Oh yeah and if you are skeptical about the vocals dont be. They are good to. They arent your cookie cutter vocals. The lyrics are good to. Happy alone and Holy Roller Novicaine are the best tracks.

The Bottom Line
"New Southern Rock Band" is a term that seems to be all but extinct sans any project that has to do with a side-project or a re-tooled version of the Allman Brothers. Alas, here comes Kings of Leon. Youth & Young Manhood to me is almost the perfect quintessential debut album title for a younger rock band, and the attitude and presentation of their first release depicts this theme quite well. First of all, this IS a fresh, original sound. For the most part, Kings of Leon present themselves as a southern rock influenced group who speed things up a little but are careful to keep the soul intact. If the songs sound familiar, you might have heard them approximately every 10 minutes during the movie "Stuck on You," on which they are prominently featured. Rightfully so. Take this one with you on the road for a weekend trip, pop it into the player, and you'll have a new favorite.

One word - FANTABULOUS!