Customer Reviews

Home Away

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the Diddly-tinged "Piece of Work" leading off this superb second album, Will Kimbrough describes the inner contradictions that make each of us who we are, and defiantly declares, "I am who the hell I am". Lucky for us he is. Because, as it happily turns out, Kimbrough is each one of every one of us too. Like me, and you, probably, if you're reading this review, Kimbrough obviously grew up not far from a radio or a record player, noting every hook and melody that made him want to sing along. However, unlike me, and maybe you, Will Kimbrough's talent as a singer, songwriter, producer, and musician, places him a universe above the washboard-middled groundlings scrabbling about today's pop music landscape looking the part, but lacking anything relevant to say to any one over the age of 13. Instead, and as with each of us, in Kimbrough's world he deals daily with love, family, regret, uncertainty, anticipation, fear, faith, and hope. For instance, under Kimbrough's deft touch, a song that realistically speaks of devotion and commitment like "I Love My Baby" avoids syrupy sweetness and stays grounded with the reality that "She's always thinking 'bout, something I can do without....." And, reality being what it is in 2002, in the obvious hit single we'll probably never hear on the radio, "This Modern World", Kimbough holds up a mirror to the new millenium's obsession with style over substance, and laments, "I'm just an old fashioned boy, strictly kickin' it old school, I don't think that I can compete in this modern world." Well, maybe Will Kimbrough can't compete in this modern world, but if that's true then we'll be the losers, not him, as this album, which teases us with hints of Lennon, McCartney, Paul Simon, Al Green, Elton John, Randy Newman, and seemingly every other radio icon of Kimbrough's formative years, is a clear winner, and to my ears, the perfect antidote to this modern world.

My music collection spans everything from Eminem to Aerosmith to the Beatles, and every time I buy a Will Kimbrough CD, he continues to amaze me. His albums keep getting better with each release and his music reminds me that good lyrics still exist...you just have to know where to look. I've already recommended this to several friends.

Will Kimbrough brings soul to every word he sings, every note he plays. I was lucky enough to hear songs from this albulm at a live performance this month in Mobile, AL. Will was gracious enough to perform for a Cystic Fibrosis benefit. His true-to-life lyrics really hit home. My reason for attending the benefit was to see another band play. I was disappointed with their performance, but Will was a great surprise! I bought the albulm that week! I can honestly say that this is one of the best albulms I've ever owned and gets better everytime I listen to it. Will Kimbrough is a no ..... guy. His lyrics are honest. His voice is telling. His musical ability is extremely underrated. Do yourself a favor and buy this albulm. It will never leave your car.

I've been listening to Will since he was in the Bushmen back in the 1980s (back in the day ...). THIS was a great album, and still remains one of my favorites, and HOME AWAY also ranks up there. It's a deeper, more introspective, and more complex work, but it's also an interesting musical melange. Sure, there's some Americana-tinged alt country sound here and there, but there's also some pure McCartney-esque pop there as well, combined with lyrics that would even make John Lennon envious. Another great effort; too bad radio ..., or else this would get a ton of airplay.

Efectivamente se trata de otra gema en el desierto. Descubrí a Kimbrough donde suelo conocer grandes compositores completamente anónimos para el gran público, en la tienda de mi amigo Joaquín aquí en Madrid. Lo pone y comienzan a surgir arrebatadas influencias de enormes maestros a los cuales Will Kimbrough rinde pleitesía a lo largo y ancho del disco. Lennon y McCartney, los Kinks, Bowie,... pop rock dibujado a golpes de roots.
Sorprende gratamente el manejo que realiza el artista de su guitarra, a la que sabe sacar punteos distorsionados sin perder ni un instante la cabeza, punteos muy sólidos y bien argumentados en todo momento. A destacar igualmente los arreglos y la producción del álbum, que le dotan de la facultad de ser un disco de altos vuelos, ideal para llegar a la sencilla conclusión de que el verdadero rock se hace ahora mismo en Estados Unidos por gente absolutamente desconocida para la gran masa que sólo consume los dictados de una más que patética industria de modas pasajeras y blandas.
Kimbrough resuelve estas cuestiones en once cortes de gran calidad. Capaz de abarcar varios estilos como es, lo cual hace que apetezca pinchar el disco en muchos ratos, demuestra en el álbum poder con su guitarra, una bonita voz y estar bien rodeado con músicos solventes. Un trabajo fino.

I may not know everything there is to know about music, songwriting or vocals, but I know what I like - and I LOVE this album. It's deep, without being cheesy, teen-like. It's so honest, heartfelt and true. Thought-provoking. Face it, Will Kimbrough has his finger on the pulse of how real people feel, live, act and hurt. I stumbled across this CD by accident, and now I'm hooked. I highly recommend this CD, along with his others (which I'm in the process of owning) to anyone who has trouble with "this Modern World", or who's feeling a little short on ambition. Will Kimbrough is one the few good 'uns left out there!

Great album.

I have a special playlist for my favorite songs and it includes I Love My Baby and Hey Big Sister.

Enjoy this great album.

Bluto California

Sorry to gush ineloquently, but this album is just so much better than anything I've bought in the last 2-3 years (except maybe Kicking Television by Wilco) that I must. "This Modern World" alone is worth the price of the album: a masterpiece. Seriously, the song is SICK good if you care about song craft and recording craft -- I mean, how about the drum roll intro? Give it up for the drummer! WK has it all, apparently. We just need more of the same.