Customer Reviews

At the End of Paths Taken (Dig)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is very different from the work the Cowboy Junkies did in the nineties and late eighties (I haven't listened to the 2004 One Soul Now, so I'm not sure how it compares). Their characteristic harmonica has taken a vacation, and drums have a much larger role along with several additional instruments (many that I can't even correctly identify). Further, the music is more complex, layered and psychedelic than in their 80's and 90's albums. Finally, their themes have changed, and instead of being about heartbreak, violence and despair and they are now about "family" (using Margo's term).

I have noticed these same changes in other artists' music as they have matured. In most cases, I have found these developments disappointing (Sting, Annie Lennox, Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel) as it seems like the angst and edge that originally drove these artists' creativity later gave way too something over-worked, something more science than art, something more benignly pleasant than engaging. In this case, however, I am not disappointed for the most part. Margo's hauntingly beautiful voice is still entrancing (although its changed a little too). The family themes are real rather than overly sentimental. The Cowboys still have some edge, as shown in Cutting Board Blues. And there's still some of that forlorn feeling of their earlier work in Spiral Down. It Doesn't Really Matter Anyway has a little of each and is a great song. Someday Soon didn't work for me at all, but maybe its just a matter of taste. Also, even though Mountain could be a great song, I don't like the rambling male voice in the background, its too distracting. And I wasn't hip on the kids' voices in My Only Guarantee, even though it would also be an otherwise great song. (Maybe these two songs waded into the "over worked" category just a bit).

Ultimately, while there are selected albums out there that I like better than any of the Cowboy Junkies albums that I have, I think the Cowboy Junkies could easily be characterized as consistently being the best band of the last three decades. They deserve more recognition than they have received in the U.S, but perhaps a lack of commercial success in the U.S. is part of what has kept them so great over the years. Also, Cowboy Junkies, if you read this - thank you for coming to Idaho to play. I never thought I'd get a chance to see you live and it was wonderful.

I've just listened to this once, so there's probably so much more that I didn't catch yet. But what a fantastic, gorgeous, and enthralling album. This is the Junks 11th studio release - and it's the same band from when they began more than 20 years ago. But this is not the same sound sonically. Michael's guitar playing and approach continues to mature and grow (listen to Cutting Board Blues). Margo's voice has never sounded better, IMO - it's like a fine wine aging to perfection. Peter is here, along with long-time guests Jaro Czerwinec and Jeff Bird. Alan's trademark bass is very under-stated on most of the tracks, though. But the big difference is the presence of strings on nearly all of the songs. It's a great fit with Margo's voice and the tone of the album, which is very oriented towards family. There's a children's choir on the ending song, along with a recording of Father Timmins (which makes up the under-lying element of Mountain).

Highlights of the album are Cutting Board Blues, My Little Basquiat, Follower 2, and It Doesn't Really Matter. The album reminds me of Open in some ways - a big departure in sound from their previous albums. I'd rank it up there with One Soul Now, which is my favourite album of theirs in the last decade (Caution Horses remains my personal favourite).

Buy the album - and don't forget to see the band live if they're coming to your neck of the woods (unfortunately no Texas dates yet - drat).

How anyone could rate this less than five stars is completely beyond me. I have followed the Junkies since their second album, and really got into them with an assigned review of 'Lay It Down', which I still consider a masterpiece. But this recording is something else entirely. I've lived with it now for quite awhile (I think I had it about a month before official release, so add that time to the date of this 'review'), and I'm still awed by its strength in all directions. The writing is superb, Michael's guitar work gets better and better as time goes on, Margo's voice sounds more tuned and better than it did twenty something years ago with 'Whites Off Earth Now', and the arrangements (including strings) are simply amazing. Try listening to 'Brand New World' (the first track), and see if you don't feel optomistic about the world today. By the time the closing track, 'My Only Guarantee' finishes, it's clear that you've reached the end of THIS path taken, but I can't wait to hear where they will go next. I stand up and applaud this grand achievement of the Junkies, quite possibly the finest recording of their long career and one I will treasure for years to come. Now if they would only issue it on vinyl too...

I am a longtime Cowboy Junkies fan. Their sound has taken various twists and turns over their various releases, but overall they still find a way to keep their "signature" sound within each release. "At The End of Paths Taken" is yet another example. They still sound like the Junkies, but again, they have found a way to incorporate something different and new in this release. I love it. The mellowness, the moodiness, the creativity, the complexity. I think it's one of their best. There's something that just grabs you in from the first song, and makes you want to keep listening until the last. It's easy to get lost in this CD. Thanks for more great music, CJ's!

I have also followed the Junkies very closely since 1988 and my fascination with The Trinity Sessions. I have seen them many times in concert over the years as well. That being said, I haven't felt this way about a Junkies CD since Lay It Down. It's by far their best work in a decade, not that the previous albums didn't have their qualities. But, this one has a mood and a feel that didn't come across on the previous attempts. I could listen to "Still Lost" everyday and never grow tired. The production shifts from bare minimalist to full studio craft. This one is a classic Junkies CD that will remain in the rotation for a long time to come. Great job Junkies and see ya down the road soon.

I never bought a Cowboy Junky album before. I was not let down with this purchase. This was a pleasant mental musical voyage. This is somewhat laid back rock music. There are psychedelic undertones in some songs, blues or jazz undertones in others. The female lead singer has a great soothing voice. The band is very talented and the songs go together well. There are no duds on the album and some tracks are standout impressive. The lyrics are interesting storytelling, above inane simple stuff most bands deliver. This music creates a good mood that envelops you. A great comeback album for a talented and creative musical group.

Ever since I purchased this album about eight months ago, it has remained in my constant rotation. Truly a classic "concept album" in every sense of the word in regards to family, life and loss and hope...Roger Waters would be proud. Not a bad track among the crowd, "End Of Paths Taken" continues to be a mind-blowing example of a group fine-tuning their craft the the point of exemplary. The strings and piano add a new depth to the Junkies that is welcome to these ears. Present throughout the album, the strings cascade, except for the beautiful "Someday Soon" (which by the way, procures a new arrangement on their latest tour throughout Northern California, which is even better), and add a velvety layer to an already impressive presentation. Five stars without a doubt. Go Junkies...Michael, Margo, Alan, Peter and Jeff...you never cease to impress. Follower 2!

Is it just me, or do the Cowboy Junkies get better with age ? I never tire of listening. Buying this cd on the fly,so to speak, I am not disapointed.Fantastic music and lyrics as ever, and Margo's voice just as clear and pure as the early albums.

Amazon said it best. How this band could remain so under appreciated for so long is almost criminal. This CD is a must have just for Cutting Board Blues alone. But the whole CD is a masterpiece. This is one of those rare times when amazon.com should have six stars.

I have been a Cowboy Junkies fan for 15+ years at this point. And I really have to say, if it ain't broke, please don't try to fix it. Michael Timmins, you are clearly the genius behind the Cowboy Junkies - that point is lost on nobody who considers themself a fan of your band. However, and I say this with all the affection my heart can muster for the Cowboy Junkies, Michael Timmins you cannot sing. I am not writing this to hate on you or your accomplishments. You have penned some of the greatest songs ever written in my humble opinion (for whatever that's worth), but at some point it's time to face reality. The gods gave you the talent to write songs, produce albums, and arrange music, among many things, but he did not give you the talent to sing. The gods graced your sister Margo with that talent, and her ALONE. And she deserves to take up all the space in the world with that voice. So please, Michael Timmins, stop trying to have your cake and eat it too. Let your sister's beautiful voice be. Let it stand alone. It's gotten you all this far. Being in a band with other family members gives you the luxury of being able to spend hours singing - belting even - along with them. But for those of us who patiently sit by thirsting for your next album - to hear your sister's sultry, brooding vocals, please give us the chance to hear her voice as it should be - unobstructed and free of feeble attempts to harmonize with it. We deserve at least that.

Cordially Yours,
A devoted fan who humbley acknowledges that she cannot sing either.