Customer Reviews

Back to Then

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Most people out here simply refuse to look at Darius Rucker without seeing him in only one role: the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish and singing only one type of music. This is unfortunate because BACK TO THEN is a very good solo effort, a celebration of old school soul. If that's not your thing, and you're looking for Hootie's style of music, then perhaps you should pass on this...but if you are a fan of old school R&B, then you will love it!

Darius enlists the assistance of some of today's R&B heavy hitters (Musiq, Jimmy Cozier, Lil Mo, Jill Scott, and Dre and Vidal of DJ Jazzy Jeff's A Touch of Jazz Productions) and the result is an eclectic neo soul-type vibe. Okay, it does have its flaws (the unnecessary hip-hop track with Snoop Dogg, "Sleeping In My Bed" in particular - I played it once and once was enough), but Darius proves to us that he has far more versatility than what you hear on the Hootie records. Upon hearing the head-bopping opener "Wild One" for the first time, he sounded so different that I didn't even know it was him!

Old school R&B legends like Marvin Gaye, Al Green and Teddy Pendergrass come to mind when you hear the cuts on this CD. The most outstanding songs are "Exodus", "Sometimes I Wonder" (a duet with Jill Scott...their voices compliment each others PERFECTLY), "Back To Then", "This Is My World", "Glad You're Mine", "Butterfly" and "Ten Years" (a revealing look into Darius' personal life, absolutely breathtaking).

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Darius Rucker is a wonderful R&B singer, and BACK TO THEN is proof of that. He said that this was the album he always wanted to make long before he ever thought about joining about a band, and I'm so glad this has finally come to pass. I'm looking forward to more solo work from Darius. Hope this CD finally gives him the props he truly deserves!

For people thinking this is an extension of Hootie and the Blowfish's style of music, you will be disappointed, but don't despair. Darius has ventured into the R&B world with a tight and suave album of soul. I am big Hootie fan, but after waiting months for the long anticipated album I was not disappointed. Working with Musiq, Jill Scott, and Jimmy Cozier (R&B fans are well aware of those artists) to name a few, Darius delivers one of the best produced albums in some time. Jill Scott lends her voice for "Sometimes I wonder" and their voices match like peanut butter and jelly. This isn't Usher or Sisqo, but someone with more talent and a more sophisticated arrangement. If you are a fan of the so called "Neo-Soul" and artists like Jill Scott, Bilal, and Musiq or even fans of classic R&B like Al Green (Darius covers "I'm Glad You're Mine"), Sam Cook, and Marvin Gaye, you will love this album by Darius Rucker! From the first song, "Wild One" on through the CD, you will be bumping to the beat and nodding to the melody. You will not be disappointed with this CD! For all you Hootie & the Blowfish fans, beware, this is not what you are used to; however, I can guarantee you will love it!

If you're like me, you started to get into music around 1994-95, you just couldn't resist the fun, catchy tunes of a little band from South Carolina called Hootie & The Blowfish. As the years have gone by my taste has gotten heavier and heavier, and a band like Hootie would be last on my list, but I'll admit it, I still have Cracked Rear View to this day. The one thing about Hootie that always really stood out in my point of view, was the voice of frontman Darius Rucker. Very few bands I like actually have lead singers who can sing, but Darius is one of them. He just, sings with so much emotion, like you can really tell how he feels about what he's singing about.

Well recently I was on Hootie's web site just for old time's sake, and I saw news of Darius making a solo cd, and I heard that it was going to be an R&B record, not pop-rock. Well I'm not really into R&B, but I decided to check it out, considering I always loved Darius's voice so much. I was shocked. There was just, something about his songs that I loved so much. His voice doesn't sound like anything else in R&B today- he sounds so much more like an old-school R&B singer, like Al Green.

So yes, I downloaded and burned the cd, and it now sits in my collection next to Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden! The best songs have to be "Wild One", "One More Night", and "Somewhere".
When I'm listening to this cd I sometimes forget it's the same guy who sang that catchy "I Only Wanna Be With You" song I always begged my parents to turn up the volume to in the summer of 1995. The only other time I can recall really hearing Darius sing like this was on the song "Goodbye" on Cracked Rear View, where it's just a piano & Darius singing.

Hootie & The Blowfish might have been the biggest "fad" band of the 90s, but Darius Rucker is one of the most talented singers I've ever heard- this probably will be the only R&B cd ever in my collection, but man, what a good one it is! Keep it up Darius, you're doing great!

Well, I don't work for Hidden Beach records, but I LOVE THIS CD. Darius, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for this. You are reminding us that this is what soul music was meant to evolve into, not most of the stuff that's passing for R&B nowadays. He acknowledges his roots in soul music, even though his claim to fame is being a rock/alternate folk singer (Hootie and the Blowfish). But this sure ain't Hootie!!
R&B legends like Marvin Gaye, David Ruffin, Teddy Pendergrass, Otis Redding and Al Green quickly come to mind when you hear Darius' voice on these songs! You can hear the love and sincerity infused into every song on this neo-classic soul influenced cd. Five of the tracks were produced by A Touch of Jazz, best known for their work with Jill Scott and Michael Jackson ("Butterflies"), and Darius collaborates with other heavyweights in the R&B world, like Lil Mo, Musiq and Jimmy Cozier.
My favorite song on Back To Then? "Ten Years". It's so beautiful and emotional that it made me cry the first time I heard it! And there are two versions of it! Other songs you'll love are "Exodus", "This Is My World", "Back To Then", "I'm Glad You're Mine" and "Sometimes I Wonder", a hot duet with Jill Scott which IMO should be the next single. With that song, Darius will definitely blow up! And why isn't "Wild One" being played on the radio?? This song is off the chain! I gave Back To Then four stars because I really didn't care for the last two songs: the Christian themed "Somewhere" and the Snoop Dogg featured hip-hop number, "Sleeping in My Bed", but other than those two, this is a very solid debut. Take Darius Rucker seriously as an R&B artist because he is more than just "Hootie". I definitely want to see and hear more from him as a soloist.

Reading the negative reviews of this album made me decide to write my personal feelings. It seems to me that the people who did not enjoy this album were expecting something that this album does not set out to be. If you are expecting Hootie and The Blowfish, do not buy this album. If you are expecting an R&B album in the vein of the current Hip Hop movement, do not buy this album. This album is neither of those things.
This album is a strong debut from an artist looking to go a different direction on his own. While Darius has hooked many of us with his distintive voice and addictive melodies on Hootie albums, that isn't what he was trying to do here. He set out to create an R&B album, in the vein of the neo-soul movement. He does fall a little short, but not for lack of trying.
The album is definately not the best neo-soul album out. It does not have best song-writing, but what R&B album does? I think reviewers that complained about the songwriting were forgetting that R&B music is traditionally more focused on the voice of the artist, and not the lyrics.
This is where this album excels. Darius' voice is what made me so interested in the album, and it is what will keep the album in heavy rotation for me. Instead of lending his distinctly powerful vocals to alternative pop, he lends them to slickly produced R&B tracks. It makes for a very good listen.
I do think that the album could have been better. I wish that he could have worked more with the producers from the first few tracks - Andre Davis, who produced most of Jill Scott's first album. It would have kept the album flowing a little better.
Possibly the worst part of the album is the part that I was most interested in hearing - Sleeping in My Bed. Seeing Snoop Dogg on the track made me flip to this one pretty quickly... and then flip back to the start of the album almost as fast. The track is HORRIBLE, and should have been left off. Darius sounds horrible here (the only time on the album) and Snoop sounds misplaced. If I could scratch this off the disc, I would!
That being said, the album does have many bright spots. Wild One, One More Night, and the gospel song Somewhere are all beautiful songs that showcase Darius' voice as well as the lush production. Sometimes I Wonder, the duet with Jill Scott, is an excellent track that should get some airplay. While many have dismissed this track, saying that Darius cannot keep up with Jill's vocals, I disagree. The two vocalists provide a nice balance between her sweetness and his power. Excellent track.
I was more than pleased that they also included This Is My World - which I first heard while watching Shallow Hal. This is a wonderful song, and the song that got me excited for the album.
Finally, there is Ten Years, which is an incredibly candid song written to his wife. While the songwriting on the rest of the album may not live up to many people's expectations, this look into his life should more than make up for it.
Overal, buy this album realizing what it is - a very good R&B/neo-soul album from a great singer. Nothing more, nothing less.

Darius Rucker is a diamond in the ruff. This cd is a masterpiece. If you are a Hootie and the Blowfish fan this may not be your flavor.This is a collective of soul catching melodies. "Sometimes I Wonder" featuring Jill Scott is a seductive soulful track that puts you in the frame of mind of Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell. I feel Darius has two homes, R&B Soul and pop rock. It's ok to be multi- talented and explore different facets of music. I can only wonder why Sony did not promote this collection with more enthusiasm (this is a classic).

I have decided to make it my personal mission in life to get people to buy this CD. I have been lending it to my friends and not letting them know who the artist is (as most of them have no idea that "Hootie's" real name is Darius Rucker). I knew that he had an amazing voice so I had no qualms about purchasing this album without hearing any of the songs. I do have to agree that the outing with Snoop Dogg is a bit unfortunate and is probably the only thing stopping me from rating this a five star CD. I hope that people who are not Hootie fans but are fans of GOOD Soul/R&B will give this CD a chance.

This CD is no Hootie (not that there is anything wrong with Hootie). Totally different style and I love it. I bought this CD the week it came out after hearing "This is My World" in Shallow Hal. Barely do I take it out of my CD player. This is a prime example of incredible music that never gets airtime The duet w/Jill Scott...on fire. Knowing another new Hootie CD is on its way...great...I just hope this isn't Darius' last attempt at a solo CD. After hearing this, I'm left wanting more.

Those of you who read my reviews know I tend to go on and on when I comment on something I like...well, not this time. I promise I'll keep it short.

In short, Darius Rucker's BACK TO THEN is the best CD of 2002. Since the day I got it, I honestly have not played anything else. And now I have two copies...one for home, one to travel with. I truly love his new neo-soul vibe...not that I didn't love him in Hootie, but I feel I can relate to this side of him so much more. Each of the lyrics (which the majority Darius co-wrote) are full of the joys and heartaches of being in love. Darius performs these songs with soul, verity and passion that just jumps out at you. And that voice! Lord, that voice of his is heaven sent. If you ever had doubts about his vocal abilities, your mind will be forever changed upon hearing this CD!

I loved just about everything on it. My favorites: "Wild One", "Exodus", "Back To Then", "This Is My World", "Butterfly" and the testimonial "Ten Years". The two most outstanding cuts are "Sometimes I Wonder", a steamy duet with Jill Scott (these two just HAVE to work together again!) and a remake of Al Green's "I'm Glad You're Mine". Darius' version will absolutely FLOOR you! I can't really say much more, except that this is a CD that you HAVE to own!

Okay, okay, I promised not to ramble. :) But I can't find enough good things to say about BACK TO THEN. Darius, I just love what you done here and I love you as a performer. Excellent job. Keep banging!!

A CD with selections to capture every mood. From "Wild One" to "Exodus" to "Back to Then" and "Ten Years", this CD captures the angst, the regret and the joy of being in love (or, at the least, trying not to screw it up). Gospel-tinged Track #11, "Amazing Grace", adds an unexpected (but welcome) level of spirituality to the menu while Track 13, "Sleeping in My Bed", gives you something to bounce to a bit.

Simply put, great songwriting abounds and the production is tight. Very pleased and looking forward to more from a talented artist with a distinctive voice who deserves kudos and applause for a polished product. This one'll be on the cd changer for quite some time to come. Whether it's over a quiet candlelight dinner or driving the highway to who-knows-where, this CD is terrific. Can't wait for Mr. Rucker's next solo project.

This is my first on-line review and I could not have chosen a better first album to highlight. Bravo.