Customer Reviews

Adrian James Croce

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A.J. Croce's career has crossed many different genres and boundries from the sweet New Orleans Flavored Blues & Soul of his debut (think Dr. John, Randy Newman & Tom Waits) to 2001's overly-produced (but good) Transit. His latest, "Adrian James Croce" comes as close to near-perfect pop/rock as any other release this year. This album and nearly every song is outstanding and incredibly well produced and mixed. A.J's compositions are comparable to the best music that Difford & Tillbrook (of Squeeze) ever produced (and that's a major compliment!). If you're looking for something new and great to listen to, but are sick of the over-produced pop/rock of Maroon 5, et al., give A.J's latest a try! You won't be sorry!

I expected more of the jazz/blues/funk used to describe AJ Croce's work, but I still was not disappointed by this CD. I'm ordering the CDs other AJ Croce afficionadoes have suggested. "Seedings" may not fare so well after I have other work to compare to, but I am going to enter a favorable review for this first exposure.

The album is great; think Ben Folds meets The Beatles. Past efforts have been serious piano jazz; this album has catchy songs that stick in your head long after the CD is done. "Upside Down" has a nice lyrical hook reminiscent of Ben Folds Five with Beatles-like chord changes. It's a new favorite for me.

I just got this cd and I've been through it about 3 or 4 times now. For fans of the first couple of AJ discs this is...
well...
A departure. I told one friend of mine it's the best Beatles album I've heard in 20 years. That's really where the melodies and hooks lie. AJ is doing less piano oriented stuff here, he's even pictured on the back with a guitar!
I really consider myself a HUGE AJ fan and being one of a very small number of broadcasters who actually played AJ on the radio on a (semi) regular basis I'd say this is the most hook heavy album he's ever made. AND THAT'S NOT A BAD THING!
This is an amazing disc and even if you're not familiar with AJ make this the first of his discs you purchase.
It won't be your last.

DH

So much new music I hear these days is over-produced guitar rock. I just bought this cd after a friend played it for me, and it's quickly become part of my everyday soundtrack! It's refreshing to hear such great songwriting and lyrics, and actually be able to hear Croce's souful vocals come through on every track of the cd. There's something sincere and genuine about these songs that reminds me of music I grew up with... The Beatles, Wings, Elton John, Stevie Wonder... the kind of songs and melodies that get stuck in your head and your cd player! Highly recommended.

When I first AJ Croce, I knew he was talented and though I am not a fan of blues/jazz music I liked it. But I thought how can the son of Jim Croce have such a terrible voice. I wasn't a fan of his raspy voice for it was such a put on. Why blues singers need to do this I don't know why. Brownie McGhee didn't. He had a great voice and used it. So when I heard AJ's 4th album, I was surprised; he can actually sing.

It took courage to change his style and I admire him for that and it is a style that works better on this album than his last one, for this is by far his best album.

I totally disagree with the last reviewer it is worth the time and money to listen to it. Just because it ain't blues or jazz, it doesn't mean it is bad. Some people don't like change, well that is too bad, for as a songwriter myself, the artist needs to please himself first and most can appreciate hard work, talented musicians, a well-produced album and good songs and all of that is here.

This album is not a Jim Croce album, but 2 songs Cold & Call Me Dear, both played on the guitar remind me of Jim, so maybe hearing his father's music influenced in some way. Both those songs are standout tracks on this cd.

I love the Beatles, but this is not like a Beatles album. Only 2 or 3 songs are Beatle-like. The outstanding Lying on the Ground is like a Sgt Pepper song and has that George Martin produced sound. How Long is a little like Hey Jude at the end and maybe Hung Up On You. I hear more of an Elvis Costello influnce on this cd.

Most of AJ Croce's albums I found had inconsistent writing, but this one only has a few weak songs.

It opens with the decent Don't Let Me Down, falters with Baby Tonight and then takes off with the wonderful Call Me Dear, a very catchy tune.

Then comes the Sgt Pepper sounding Lying on the Ground, the alright sounding Too Soon, a weak I Believe and then another wonderful number, Upside Down.

Then comes the Jim Croce sounding Cold. One of the highlights of this album.

After that it is kinda a mixed bag. Hung Up on You I like a lot. Almost Angeline is simply beautiful and has a Bob Dylan influence to it. How Long ends the album in a great way.

The album is worth the money and the time to listen to. If it's just blues and jazz you like don't listen to it, but don't come off sounding like AJ has to please you; he doesn't. The last album indictated he had changed his style so it was pretty obvious he'd likely continue that path.

And one more thing his new voice is his natural voice. It doesn't sound forced or put down, he sounds wonderful and it is clear that those voice genes of Jim & Ingrid did get passed on to him and at times his vocal range excels to heights of beauty which makes the songs sound so much better.

I'll try to make this brief. I am a HUGE fan. I have his previous four discs and anxiously awaited this one. If you're a fan of A.J.'s first three discs it's likely you'll be as severely disappointed as I was. While these are adequately pleasant and catchy pop songs, A.J.'s talent, which is significant, is as an artist that very effectively blends blues, jazz, soul, and new olreans style funk into a great and lively mix. "Fit To Serve" is his best disc in my opinion and even "Transit" which many early fans dissed still had a lot of funky energy and has several of my favorite of his songs (Its sort of a cross between Marc Broussard, Elvis Costello, and Chuck Profit). His voice has been a terrific raspy growl that seemed as though it would only improve with age, but here it is only airy and teppid. His piano playing typically is the driving force behing the songs and he's skilled in the style of Dr. John, Jon Cleary, and Henry Butler. On this dics the keyboards are a barely audible side dish of chords. "How Long" is the only track that hints at his former self and that's sad. A.J. if you read these, please return to where your talents lie.

Let's put it this way . . . this CD is such a huge (and incredibly tepid) departure from AJ's other work, that I came upon the Amazon site by checking to make sure that there was not another AJ Croce looking to cash in on his name. I was actually hoping there was. If you are a fan of AJ's raspy voice and classic piano jazz/blues fusion, DO NOT waste your time and money. This CD will soon be for sale on ebay where another unspecting fan will fall victim.

I am a great lover of A. J.'s music from his first three albums. I think he is a superb Blues artist and lyricist. However, never having been much of a Beatles fan I find this album incredibly dull. Moving into such a crowded area as Beatles tribute seems to be a waste of a real talent.