Customer Reviews

Fat City

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It took a three song sample taped on a Maxell cassette to get me hooked on Shawn Colvin's FAT CITY. STEADY ON is terrific. COVER GIRL has some pleasant moment. But it's FAT CITY that remains Colvin's best. These eleven songs are cutting, emotional, strong, and consistent. The production is inspired. Colvin's vocals are majestic. The melody on the opening track is perfect; "Polaroids" is a collection of images and stories about life, matched with a flowing melody. "Tennessee" has a rocking melody and strong rock lyrics. Colvin covers Warren Zevon & Jackson Browne on "Tenderness On The Block", just as good as Linda Ronstadt did on some of their other songs in the 1970s. With a colorful, positive, spirited melody "Round Of Blues" has a folk feel in rock setting. It's pulled off flawlessly. The cutting,emotional lyrics of "Monopoly", reflect what an awesome songwriter Shawn Colvin is. "Orion In The Sky" is passionate, equally intriging to "Round Of Blues". I'd have to say that "Climb On" is the best song on the album, if I'm wrong, it's my favorite. She has perfectly fitting lyrics that compose a complete story within about four minutes. This is present on all the tracks. "Climb On" matches melody and lyrics flawlessly. "Set The Prarie On Fire" is the longest song on the album, there's a completely different atmosphere established on the song. Colvin's delivery is stunning. "Object Of My Affection" blends magnifiscent lyrics to a dazzling melody. One of the most addictive stories on FAT CITY is "Kill The Messenger", poetic and passionate, it's four minutes of magic. The closing song is remarkable. "I Don't Know Why" was one of the most beautiful songs of 1992, and is one of Colvin's best. It's also the first song she composed. FAT CITY is a listening that will take you through joy, pain, and wonder; and will provide one of the most satisfying listens I've heard in a while. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Fat City is a triumph.

While her later work, A Few Small Repairs, is responsible for catapulting her into the national spotlight, Fat City represents a far more fully-realized artistic vision and stands alone as *the* quintessential Shawn Colvin album.

Only in the most unjust of all possible worlds could this masterpiece have been passed over like it was.

The primary attributes that seperate Fat City from Colvin's earlier and later efforts are twofold: Emotional range and consistancy. Combined with the gorgeous vocals and powerful lyrics that all her work holds in common, Fat City is the flawless manifestation of Colvin's sublime essence.

Whatever mood you happen to be in, at least one of Fat City's tracks has you covered. From sweet to bittersweet and everything in between.

As for weak links, there are none. Not many albums can say as much.

If you liked A Few Small Repairs and are wondering where to go from there, look no further.

If you enjoy any of Shawn's other tunes at all, Fat City is a nothing less than a bona-fide sure thing. Buy it.

I got hooked on Shawn Colvin when a friend connected me with her first album, Steady On. I picked up her sophomore release, Fat City, when I saw it in a store having never heard a single song. I was thrilled to find that it was even better. "Fat City" is an overlooked gem and one of my all-time favorites. Her song "Climb On" turned up as the original theme song from the TV show Party of Five before they switched to the Bodean's "Closer to Free". It's a shame she didn't get the boost that the Bodean's got from that exposure. It amazed me that Shawn's music got much less attention than similar but not-quite-as-talented singer/songwriters such as Jewel. Shawn's later albums may be more well-known, but I think this is her best overall.

Well, a lot of other reviewers have said that this is Shawn's best album. While I do love this CD, I wouldn't agree 100%. The album starts off well, with tracks like "Polaroids," "Tenderness on the Block," and my own personal favorite, "Round of Blues." After that, though, the songs get more uneven. Every other song is good, but it's not a strong second half. She makes up for it by the end, though, with the wonderful "I Don't Know Why," a simply beautiful song which really showcases her great voice. So, while Fat City is an excellent album (and one I'd highly recommend), I still think Steady On is her best work.

I first heard "Round of Blues" on modern rock radio (Philadelphia's now defunct WDRE 103.9)soon after the album's release date (late 1992/early 1993.)I only heard it a few times before it was dropped from the station's playlist.

Right around this time I began my career as a DJ at clubs & weddings. I had added the songs to my list of most wanted songs to purchase.

None of the big retail chains carried this CD initially. A year or so later, the song received more airplay.

"Round of Blues" was included on the Nicolas Cage/Bridget Fonda movie soundtrack for "It Can Happen To You".

Eventually the "Fat City" CD began to appear at retail some two years after it's release.

From the first time I heard the entire CD it instantly became one of my favorites.

You'll be on an emotional rollercoaster with your journey through the tracks on this hidden gem.

On your first listen you too will be ready for a second ride as you feel Colvin's voice break on the final track "I Don't Know Why" Prepare for that second ride well in advance. Hit the repeat button right away!

This is definitely one of her better releases. It's got great uptempo songs like "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)", "Object Of My Affection", and "Round Of Blues". In fact, "Object" always reminds me of driving fast from Santa Cruz to Half Moon Bay on the PCH, probably because of the following line: "Jump up into the night, gas up and downshift/Cruise up the coast on the FM drift/It's a crazy world/On the head of a pin". Contrasting those songs are two great, melancholy numbers that begin and end the disc, "Polaroids" and "I Don't Know Why". Her voice sounds great, rich and clear, and she has some great backing from Mary-Chapin Carpenter and Jackson Browne. A couple of songs fall flat, like "Kill The Messenger" and "Orion In The Sky", but overall, this is a very good A-C/Pop/Folk-Rock recording.

This is by far the best CD by the best singer/songwriter! I own all 6 of Shawn Colvin's albums, I've listened to them all many, many times, and this is definately the BEST! Go buy it if you havn't already!

Although "A Few Small Repairs" drew the attention, this gem of an album is Shawn's finest work. Intimate songwriting, perfect production, backup by the now-defunct Subdudes, Bruce Hornsby, and the lovely Valerie Carter, and Colvin's sweet, crystalline voice hit the nadir with "Fat City." Standout songs are "Kill the Messenger," "Climb On (A Back That's Strong," and "Polaroids." Colvin's cover of Warren Zevon's "Tenderness On The Block" is fabulous!

The interesting thing about this album is that, along with its folk-y ballads, it also contains some of the best "pop" songs I've heard in awhile. The choruses to "Tennessee" and "Round of Blues" are catchy, and could've fit on, say, The Smiths' "The Queen is Dead." I'd recommend beginning with this album, and then checking out "Steady On," another folk/pop masterpiece.

Fat City is clearly Ms. Colvin's finest work to date. Though she was obviously going through some emtional turmoil and transitions at the time of its writting, Ms. Colvin is not afraid to allow the listener to join her at her rawest levels of emotion. The lyrics of "Fat City" are surely amazing. "I Don't Know Why," and "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)," are at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, yet still share a common ground. This CD is a MUST for any Shawn Colivn fan.....or for anyone who admires rich and wonderful music.