Customer Reviews

Fifty Eggs

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I acquired this album when several people I know recommended Dan Bern's music to me. I am a self-avowed Bob Dylan fan, and they assured me that if I liked Dylan I would love Dan Berg. Of course, I was being partially set up. When this Dylan-like voice erupted from my speakers singing 'Tiger Woods,' an exceptionally bawdy ode to anatomy, I was more than a little amazed. Yes, Dan Bern can sound a lot like Bob Dylan, but his mind is on a completely different planet.

Which is just fine by me. Who really needs a Dylan clone, one such artist is enough. It is a lot more fun to have the music stretch your head in a completely new direction and Bern is definitely headed there. It is a bit difficult to apply generalizations to his music. Often full of attitude or quirky, sometimes tender, always thoughtful. Just when you think you have got it figured out he tries something else. If 'Tiger Woods,' 'No Missing Link,' or 'Cure for AIDS' don't yank your chain you are a bit to stoic for me.

But just when you think "loud and brash," he changes styles. You find yourself listening to thoughtful ballads like 'One Thing Real,' 'One Dance,' or 'Monica.' He is also a master of the not quite love song. I'm not going to list any more of the songs, but I can assure you that they all have something special - something to consider or laugh about. Deceptively simple musically, his lyrics are every bit as rich as the man he sounds like.

Ani DiFranco plays an important part on this album, as side musician, backup vocal and producer. If anything, Bern has more in common with DiFranco than Dylan. He is up front with his feelings, impertinent with his questions, and brutally imaginative. He has definitely made a believer out of me. If you have a taste for the outlandish, this is an album to own.

If you want warm and fuzzy, safe-as-mother's-milk music, stick with CSNY. If you want a challenging whack right up side your stupid head, Dan Bern is your man! This cd is amazing. "Tiger Woods" is unbelievably brilliant -- sheer in-your-face songwriting guts. I first heard it by chance on a compilation cd, noted the singer's name, then immediately went in search of his work. "Tiger Woods" is a must-hear for every wanna-be folkie singer-songwriter out there strumming a six string. Also noteworthy: "Oh, Sister" , "Monica", "Chick Singers". Every song on this cd is a winner.

This is a really great CD. Everyone in my family loves it, and "Oh sister" is one of my favorite songs. Many of Bern's songs on FIFTY EGGS very funny. This CD made our road trip from Philadelphia, PA to Albuquerque, NM much more enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

Dan Bern: the next Bob Dylan? Maybe, but the comparison doesn't really do either of them justice. OK, his voice definitely resembles Dylan's (though Bern's voice is more versatile), but he does not take himself as seriously as Dylan. By allowing his humor to blast through uncensored, he connects with the listener in an immediate way. Just as important, he knows how to write music which sticks in your head. I found the CD to be irresistible, and it gets even better with repeated listenings.

Filled with humor and contemporary references, this CD is a chronicle of the decade and its icons. He has wit, surprising turns of phrase and mental associations, and a voice that teams well with his guitar. These are authentic songs, not a parody as Al Yankovitch's. And please: don't be misled by some reviews: Bern is not vulgar at all, and uses the all-too-common 4-letter words with parsimony. The song "Marilyn" (in the CD "Dan Bern", not this one) is an hilarious yet affectionate tribute to her and to Henry and Arthur Miller.

His past albums haven't had too many melodies, but every song on Fifty Eggs has a catchy melody. I love this album

Why compare Bern to Dylan? Because like Dylan, Bern drips American music. Listening to "50 Eggs" one gets the impression that this is a songwriter who writes from the gut - lyrically and musically. The songs are fully formed, fully realized, and instantly hummable. Dan Bern is modern folk music at its best; uncontrived, clever, heartfelt. Like his heroes, Dan Bern's going to be around a LONG time.

I just found out about Dan Bern recently, and I am very glad that I have. He is an incredibly versitile artist and his humor and talent both are quite apparent in this album. Dan worked with Ani DiFranco on this album to create a dozen little masterpieces. He drops pop culture refrences and political statements in with his witty lyrics on everything from slow sentimental ballads (oh, sister) to rockin' out tunes (tiger woods). Dan is a great performer and I am looking forward to seeing him play live some day.

I first heard Dan Byrn when he opened for Ani Difranco at the Palace (Albany) last year. I fell in love with his music. His lyrics were too bizarre to be true. I tried to remember every word, but I couldn't. I bought his cd and was disappointed b/c the songs I loved most didn't appear on it (not to say his first cd isn't awesome too...). The thing is..they DO on this new album. It was worth the wait! I don't want to say "witty," b/c that sounds cliche, but this CD is all that and more! I can't stop listening to it. I can't reccommend it highly enough! Really! Go Dan!

This has some of Dan's more offensive material, but it's got a lot of heart, and you can listen to pop radio if you don't want to be offended. Or made to think.