Customer Reviews

Can You Hear Me Now

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the early 1990s, Sawyer Brown could do no wrong. They kept churning up hit after hit. And it's not a mystery why: they have the guts to deal with real-life issues such as struggling farmers ("Cafe on the Corner"), infidelity ("All These Years"), fatherly affections ("The Walk"), and really fun issues about falling in love ("Some Girls Do"). The band certainly had caused it's dent in country music, and rightly so.

However, as with many artists from the 80s and 90s, as soon as the millenium turned, they were struggling at radio. The harder the struggle, the less inspired they were. This new CD, in all honestly, is a disappointment. While Sawyer Brown had always been on the cutting edge with their kind of rock/country music, on this CD, they have just recycled what they have done in the past. To make matters worse, the melodies this time round are not that strong. With its numerous rock tunes, this CD at times sounds like bad 70s rock.

"I Need a Girlfriend" is a cheeky attempt to carbon copy "Some Girls Do," but unlike "Girls" it fails to have a strong melody line. "She's An I've Got to Have You Girl" is as clumsy as the title suggests.

As the band progressed through time, Sawyer Brown has had become more and more serious, perhaps trying to move away from the boyband image. They have succeeded in the past with inspirational odes such as "The Walk," "The Dirt Road," and the underrated "Homestead in My Heart." This time around inspirational songs abound: the best of which is "Hard Hard World"--a nice tribute to love in the midst of tribulation. The song is set at a slower pace--which gives the listener a break after the numerous uptempo numbers. "Circle," the debut single from this album, cleverly plays around the metaphor of circles, a symbol of unity. It's perhaps one of the most meaningful songs on the CD. "I need a Plan" is Sawyer Brown in more gospel territory; the song is upbeat and positive but again not too memorable.

Overall, there are some pleasurable moments on the CD, but they are far and between. Maybe Mark Miller (the lead man of the group) is just trying too hard. Maybe more outside songs (for the best of the songs here are not written by Miller, "Circles" and "Hard Hard World") would help and a fresher production that's more adventurous might do the group good. Here's hoping Curb Records will give the boys another chance. They have potential.

I am completely Sawyer Brown byist...or at least that is what everyone who knows me would say. However, that doesn't change the fact that "Can You Hear Me Now" is one of the best efforts of Sawyer Brown to date. "I Need A Girlfriend," "She's an I've Got to Have You Girl" and "Come Back Baby" are all fun, rock-style cuts on the album. The title track and the other soulful songs about the conditions of love and desire: "Where Was I," "Hard Hard World," and "Someone," deeply move me. In my life, I have been unable to find the words to tell someone how I felt about him, waited for love, lost in love and (hopefully) learned so each of the Sawyer Brown love ballads touches me, as the songs would anyone who has been through the same thing. "Circles" is such a moving song about the things we take for granted and how eternity and love touches our lives that I quoted it in my graduation/valedictorian speech. "I Got A Plan" sends the most amazing message about what people really need to consider in their lives that it is unforgettable. For me, this just another Sawyer Brown album that hits home.

This is just an awesome CD from Sawyer Brown! Like the other reviewers have stated, there is not a bad song on this CD. My personal favorite is I Need A Girlfriend. Another real great track is I Got to Have You Girl. The last track, I Got a Plan is just an awesome song to end a fantastic CD!

Thanks Guys!

Sawyer Brown's latest cd, "Can You Hear Me Now" is some of the best music of their careers. As a 17 year fan of the band, I have listened as they have gone through different musical phases and grown as musicians, performers and most importantly, songwriters. The material on "Can You Hear Me Now" is diverse - from the upbeat and fun "I Need a Girlfriend" to the mellow ballad "Somewhere Out There" to the soothing "I've Got a Plan". Sawyer Brown's vocals are mature and full bodied. Definitely one of their best projects to date!

This is a great album! It's some of the best music they've had out in a while. There's a great mix of emotion-stirring ballads and typical Sawyer Brown rockers. This is sure to be a classic.

As an avid Sawyer Brown LOVER, I am pleased to report this cd is full of great, meaningful songs that provide a comfortable diversion from today's complicated world. There is not a song on it that I do not love. It is phenomenal. The music is great as ever and the lyrics will not leave your mind once you hear them. There is always something deep in the meaning of their music that we all can relate to. It's not a bunch of words put together with rhyme but rather words put together with thought and meaning that incorporate values and family and faith. It will either have you dancing in your kitchen or pondering thoughts about your life. CELEBRATE LIFE by listening to this one. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW IS THE TYPE OF ALBUM/TAPE/CD that you want to hear OVER AND OVER and it still is not enough. These guys are the type of performers that you know mean the words they sing. These very gifted songwriters, musicians and singers have just given us a wonderful gift again! They sing you a story with each selection. It's great, don't miss this one! God bless you guys!

As an avid Sawyer Brown LOVER, I am pleased to report this cd is full of great, meaningful songs that provide a comfortable diversion from today's complicated world. There is not a song on it that I do not love. It is phenomenal. The music is great as ever and the lyrics will not leave your mind once you hear them. There is always something deep in the meaning of their music that we all can relate to. It's not a bunch of words put together with rhyme but rather words put together with thought and meaning that incorporate values and family and faith. It will either have you dancing in your kitchen or pondering thoughts about your life. CELEBRATE LIFE by listening to this one. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW IS THE TYPE OF ALBUM/TAPE/CD that you want to hear OVER AND OVER and it still is not enough. These guys are the type of performers that you know mean the words they sing. These very gifted songwriters, musicians and singers have just given us a wonderful gift again! They sing you a story with each selection. It's great, don't miss this one! God bless you guys!

In My Opinion This Is The Best Sawyer Brown Album To Date,

It Has Great Songs.
The Best Are The Following-

IN NEED OF A GIRLFRIEND

COME BACK BABY

SOMEONE

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

definitly buy this album.

THIS ALBUM IS FULL OF CLASSIC SONGS,I THINK IT IS MUCH BETTER THAN THEIR LAST RELEASE,AND THE SONG HARD,HARD,WORLD IS SURE TO BE A HIT. BUY THIS ALBUM YOU WONT REGRET IT!