Customer Reviews

Hard Times in Babylon

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know how I have missed Eliza through the years, being a huge fan of female singer-songwriters, but I have. I recently saw her on Austin City Limits (the number of "new" people that show has turned me on to is unreal). I was tired and ready for bed but once she started, there was no way I could not stay up to watch and listen. WOW! And this CD is even better. I admit I am a sucker for a girl with a guitar and at my age a women with a guitar is even better. Make no mistake, she is not a "girl" singer. This is a full grown woman (she's even a grandmother). My preferences lead me to listen to as many female singer-songwriters as possible but she is a cut above, in the same league with Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin in my opinion.

I have only listened to this twice through and I am hooked. I will not bore you with a blow by blow of every song because they are still new to me. Suffice to say that Eliza brings maturity, grace and class to everything she touches here. She is a fine song crafter who addresses loss and redemption, life and love from the viewpoint of one who has been there and learned much from the experience. She does not whine about anything, accepting life as it is with regrets but an ability to dust herself off and move on when that time comes. Her voice is perfect for her music, sweet at times, world weary and ragged around the edges at times, and always sensual. The musicians on this CD play flawlessly and the production is first rate. I am going to savor this for several more playings and then go check out everything else she has done. If you are a fan of this genre of music, I would very highly recommend this CD. Eliza, I am glad we finally crossed paths.

To me, this album was a breakthrough for Eliza Gilkyson. I can see by some people's reviews that they miss the more folksy side of Eliza. But if I could only keep one Eliza Gilkyson album ... I personally would choose this.

These songs are daring! Not just lyrically with such great lines as "I've got a foolish heart, but I'm not an idiot." and "Be still, my beating heart" in reference to not quite wanting to go on today. But it's also musically extraordinary. The opening song is catchy as anything. And then, she moves to ballads, hard rock-n-roll beats, sultry numbers, experimental formats. What remains consistent throughout the album is the hard core emotional honesty.

Lyrics always take center stage on this album -- she annunciates clearly, and no matter what's going on musically, you can always hear the words plainly. I like that.

And these are some serious words! Backed by husky expressiveness.

This is an album that challenges you to explore the emotional realms -- and not just the cheery ones.

I loved her previous albums. But to me -- this one is art.

Have had the privilege of hearing Eliza in very intimate local venues and she's got the most outstanding honey-and-whiskey voice. That voice always takes center stage with simple arrangements backing. This is an amazing album, covering everything from sinning to salvation. "Hard Times in Babylon" according to Eliza is autobiographical of the worst times in her career. "Sanctuary" is a beautiful hymn no matter what spiritual affiliation you have. While Eliza's newest "Land of Milk and Honey" has been nominated for a Grammy in the Folk Category this year, I think "Hard Times" is a very good place to start listening to Eliza's music.

Who said good songs can't be intelligent and thoughtful, and still tug at your heart and fill your soul? Eliza has a one of a kind voice, is a lyrical, poetic songwriter, and bares her soul in her songs. Sometimes things get a bit cryptic, but in this CD the heart is on the sleeve. I wouldn't say it is an uplifting CD, it has its dark side, but I wouldn't call it depressing either. The darkness just gives the music an edge that feels good. Every song has been played over & over on the repeat feature of my CD player. I immediately went searching for more. Her latest, "Lost & Found" lives up to the promise of this stellar CD.

It took two spins on my cd player for Eliza to hook me and reel me in. She reminds me of a female David Gray, with many of her lines ending on a minor note. It was worth the price of the cd for the eight track, Twisted, with it's haunting, moody, and unflinching look at the dark side obsessive love, but the rest of the songs are insightful and moving. With intelligent lyrics, and her subtlety deceptive guitar riffs accompanying her imperfect voice, she's under my skin.

sorry, but the i totally disagree with the fan from painsville's review! hard times marked a significant turning point in eliza's career and life, and by far some of her best work to date. by no means should this be one's last choice to begin an exploration of her music. dig a little deeper and check previous reviews.

It was 11:30 P.M. and I had only two nights to explore Austin when, from out of a local radio station, came a haunting tale of a love lost to suicide. It was one of those rare but cherished personal musical moments when you know your in the presence of a very precious talent. So special that you feel like you just want to run to the nearest phone and go share it with your closest friend and your torn between wanting to keep it a secret and hoping the world catches on. It happened for me while driving on the 405 in L.A. in 1971 the first time I heard Springsteen on the radio or when I first heard Linda and Richard Thompson singing in painful, deeply intimate eloquence about the demise of their relationship. It turns your ears the way a knockout beauty turns your head. So it is with this hauntingly real piece of work that joyfully celebrates life while simultaneously dancing on the edge of its fragility. This woman is a Major Talent waiting to be discovered for all the masses to celebrate. Be one of the first ones outside of Texas to get bragging rights to "being there first".

This is a MUST own CD. An exquisitly written, superbly crafted collection by one of the best,(and yet semi-undiscovered) singer-songwriters in America. This CD captures the fun, the frustration, and the poignancy of life and love as few artists can. Great musicianship and wonderful songs make this sonicly rich, intelligently written work stand as her best to date. I hate to make comparisons because Ms Gilkyson is truly unique, but if you like Sean Colvin, Lucinda Williams or Mary Chapin-Carpenter you will love this CD.

I was buying gas during a long road trip through Wyoming. Song number five was playing on my truck stereo while I was pumping gas and a beautiful woman in a nearby gas bay started staring at me. Hark, a clue, I thought... I must not be the only one who likes that song a lot. It's a great song.

I bought this recording on the strength of one song, heard once, on the radio. I needed to own "Engineer Bill." I think other people need to own it too. A dark love/need song. As sonic artistry goes, its way beyond most of the "singersongwriter" stuff I hear (much of which I like). I'm moved just by the way it sounds. The rest of the songs.... they're beginning to open up, unlike too much modern music, which blooms fast and fades too soon. I'm very impressed.