Customer Reviews

Dreams Don't Count

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

 

 

"Dreams Don't Count" is one of Jules Shear's most emotionally powerful sets. On the small Mad Dragon label, he settles comfortably into a spare singer-songwriter mode with help from producer Stewart Lerman who has worked with Dar Williams, the Roches & Damian Rice. The mood is often somber as on the reflection "You Anymore" where the singer is dressed up for a funeral and Shear sadly sings, "I still got a picture of you; it's not you anymore." "Do What They Want" is a peppy toe tapper with catchy chorus and Jules' vocals that sound like lament even when lighthearted, "This world's so big & heavy; people ain't no good, but they ain't bad; They might just spend their whole life searching for some dream they had." Deborah Assael-Migliore's lovely cello brings out Jules' meditative melody on the wistful "Accustomed to the Clearness," "I guess I got used to believing soon turned into truth, I'm not accustomed to the clearness, seeing everything new." Shear's tone turns sinister with his soft acoustic guitar backing "An Important Part," "You keep trying to hide your beauty so helplessly." Shear seems to have come to terms that he'll continue to be a critical success, "So from this place beneath the tree, I realize the world's not meant for me." The set ends with the title track, a lovely melody married to an equally excellent lyric, "There's nothing simpler than a beating heart, someone to make sure that winter doesn't get too cold, someone to make sure that your longing doesn't get too old." "Dreams Don't Count" is like a slow moving river that runs deep through a beautiful valley. It probably won't sell a million copies, but it stands as one of Shear's best recordings. Bravo!

I've been a Jules Shear fan since the 70s, and this is his best release in awhile, one of the highlights in his catalog - my current favorite. The moods are mostly somber and the tempos mostly slow - it is somewhat reminiscent of the duets album but with much stronger material. Jules' voice isn't for everyone - sort of like an edgier Jackson Browne - but his vocals are effective here. The acoustic instrumentation fits the music well, and there isn't a drum kit to be heard anywhere. Beautiful, touching melodies abound and the reflective lyrics are often insightful.

Truth be told, I haven't been crazy about Jules' last several albums, but this one breaks the pattern and reminds us of his immense talent as a writer. A very, very strong release.

3++ this is a very good songwriter who has been around for more than 20 years and writes consistently good songs.