Customer Reviews

I Don't Know Why I Act This Way

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album is highly underrated--very complex lyrically about a wide variety of human emotions and conditions. A more somber feel than that on "3rd St" or "Start the Car" (don't even try to find his first album unless you want to pay 100+ bucks on ebay when it comes up for auction occasionally) might turn off some. Be patient. This album grows on you and is probably Jude's most "intense" lyrical effort. Musically, he's all over the place here, plenty of good pop hooks and riffs complete with complex arrangements and production and all kinds of little unexpected instrumental twists that have really become Jude's album trademark. The song "Joe" (about the guy who goes to church and then goes home to beat his wife) could apply to some families I've known over the years. Then Jude sings about meeting a women with whom he presumably had a one night stand many years before and she doesn't remember him at all--could have been sad and poignant but he makes it funny and thus different. If you like intelligent music that's very very accesible, get into this guy--he's great.

I don't know if I would have liked this album when I was in my 20ies. Now that I am in my 30ies I think this is one of the best albums I own. There is not a lot of music played on the radio that I like anymore, however that is OK. Between Jude Cole and Del Amitri there is still some good music being made. I wish Jude Cole could team up with Mutt Lang. I can only image how good that album would be.

Well, to tell the truth, I just got this gratis as a promotional from amazon.com, and what a great tool to use to turn people like me onto an artist I otherwise wouldn't have been thinking of purchasing at this juncture. Now, after playing (many times) I Don't Know Why I Act This Way, I have every intention of buying Jude's subsequent albums, 'cause if they're anywhere near the caliber of this one, I'm really looking forward to listening to them - repeatedly. Standouts for me on this wonderfully written, beautifully performed, and meticulously produced CD include Speed of Life, Lowlife, Joe, Madison, and Hole at the Top of the World, but there's not a bad song in the bunch. This album certainly made me nostalgic for the days when I spent hour upon hour listening to Jules Shear, Chris Stamey, and Matthew Sweet - what we need today are more gifted singer-songwriters of their ilk, enriching our lives - like Jude Cole does here - with their unique talents. Thanks for a wonderful piece of work, Jude.

A follow up to Jude's remarkable "Start the Car" and a definite Desert Island disk, "A View from 3rd Street". "I Don't Know Why I Act This Way" brings the listener to a different place with Jude. It brings you deeper inside yourself then ever before. Your average singer he may be, your average lyricist - not on your life, and his impeccable musicianship - he doesn't guest on other artists CD's for nothing. Speaking of guests, his friends, Kiefer Sutherland adds a haunting narrative touch to "Joe". While Steve Porcaro plays a reflecting piano line complimenting the guilt laden Trumpet of Chris Botti. This track alone is worth the purchase. Hopefully one day Jude Cole will finally get his recognition and have his place in the sun.

This is the kind of music that will never get air time, as J.C. is not a flashy, splashy, ooh-ooh-look-at-me kind of guy. What you will find in his music is a mature, deep understanding of the human personality traits that distinguish us all. He is a truly great artist; his only problem is that he doesn't put out records quickly enough! His lyrics are haunting and extraordinarily written.

I MUST ADMIT I AM A ROOTS ROCK 40 SOMETHING GUY...
THAT SAID, I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM RECOMMENDING
JUDE TO ANYBODY. HIS SONGS ON THIS ALBUM ARE SOME
OF HIS BEST. "SHEILA DON'T REMEMBER" IS THE BEST
SELF-DEPRICATING SONG IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC.
HIS GUITAR PLAYING IS SOLID AS IS HIS SINGING AND
WRITING. EVERYONE I'VE EVER PLAYED THIS FOR WANTED
A COPY OR MORE OF HIS STUFF. I WISH HE WOULD PLAY
CLUBS (HINT) HERE IN THE MIDWEST OR TEAM UP WITH MY
FRIEND BILL LLOYD IN NASHVILLE. HEY JUDE! GET OUT
OF THE HOUSE AND ROCK! MIKE

Yesterday, I popped this disc in on my way to pick up my wife at the airport and I was awed yet again by Cole's best album. While one reviewer was offended by the lyric about a churchgoer coming home to beat his wife, I think Cole's intent is to convey the complexity of what being a human is about. With lyrics like 'the blood of murderers and millionaires is pounding, pounding in my brain,'and 'Some nights I go down to the basement/ with thoughts I just do not understand/ with a purple heart and a loaded pistol/ and I just hold it hold it in my hand'you see Cole's grasp of the turmoil of the inner condition. He doesn't trump up easy answers to private struggles.

His honesty and ability to look into you and me and his own heart is captivating -- and sometimes unnerving. If you are squeamish about taking honest looks at yourself and the people in your life, this probably isn't a good choice!

Cole's lyricism is matched by his musicality. Great rhythms (I tend to pay attention to these since I am a drummer) and the layers of skillful, creative melodies make this disc an absolute delight to listen to. I thoroughly recommend it.

Jude Cole is one of the best music talents that I have heard in my 36 years. I have never played his music to anyone that has not fallen in love with him

I have loved this entire collection of songs from the first time I heard it. The lyrics are moving and haunting; the music stays with you. I have never tired of listening to it.

Rarely does an album generate the range of emotions that "I dont know why I act this way" does. From subtle melodies on "Speed of life" to hard-driving riffs on "Madison" this album is one of the best in my collection. Unfortunanetly, somebody obscounded with mine :( Sure wish I could find it somewhere!