Customer Reviews

Life Is Messy

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

 

 

I've been a Rodney Crowell fan for a long time, and in my opinion he's one of the finest singer-songwriters of our time. He has done some really brilliant work, Diamonds & Dirt, Keys To the Highway and The Houston Kid all being testament to this fact. But to me, this is his finest album. It came out a few years ago, and has long been one of my favorites, but when I went thru a rough patch myself about a year and a half ago, this CD became a constant companion. I Hardly Know How To Be Myself described things perfectly. And the rest of the album seemed to be speaking directly to me. When an artist can speak to you like that, he's really something special. I can't recommend Rodney, or this album, highly enough.

I have had this album since 1994 and now how all of his albums. He is the most inspirational singer I have ever heard. Each of his songs hits home with me. Rodney is very talented, both in singing and songwriting. I'm happy that this album has been re-release so others might hear what I have heard. Wonderful songs, great lyrics, that's Rodney Crowell. Give him a try you won't reget getting this or any of his albums. Fanastic. I am totally over the moon that he is finally bring out a new album next year. This from a fan down under. Cheers.

I came to Rodney Crowell late in life, but am a definite convert. This album, which I think is from the mid nineties, dovetails nicely in his slow change from something like more country to less. Many great songs, lyrically and musically.

If "Life Is Messy" were an album by most any other artist it would be a fairly impressive piece of work. But judging it by the previous standards set by such Rodney Crowell work as "Diamonds & Dirt" and the superb "Keys to the Highway" it falls far short, and can even be branded a disappointment. While many of the songs are memorable, none of them are really up to the standards of Crowell's best and a few even come across as a bit half baked. After setting the bar as high as he did on "Diamonds" and "Keys," however, one can't really begrudge him from taking a bit of a breather.

This is not to say isn't a decent album, as it clearly is, but for new comers to Crowell it is certainly not the best place to start. Either "Diamonds," "Keys," or Crowell's extraordinary new gem "The Houston Kid" can all vie for that honor.

I found this album when I was really into country, during a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It was in the Country Music USA record shop. I knew of Rodney's work, and had "Diamonds and Dirt" and a few of his other albums. Anyway I bought this and his "Jewel Of The South" album and I was a fan the first time I heard both. "Life is Messy" could be Rodney's best work, as the songwriting and performances are near-perfect. It was like nothing I had ever heard up until that point (and was better than most of the stuff I was listening to!) "Lovin' All Night" and "What Kind Of Love" are wonderful songs, and I was glad to see they went high on the charts upon their single releases. "Let's Make Trouble" should have also been a hit, but it didn't even chart (WHY!?!?). Let me say this about the album now: It is NOT a very country album. Only a hint of country is here ("It Don't Get Better Than This"), but that doesn't even matter. What does matter is the material here is some of the best I've ever heard, and is HORRIBLY overlook (even with it's two hit singles). A must for any music fan that can find it or download it. If you like good music in general, you will not be disappointed at all.

Rodney Crowell created possibly the best compilation of country songs on "Diamonds and Dirt", a most-have for any serious country music fan. It is a masterpiece. Anything else just can't measure up. So "Life is Messy" isn't as good. It can't be, but it is good. Maybe Rodney is a bit lazy here - not putting his heart and soul into this project, but for his fans, it's a keeper.

I have over 5,000 albums running the gamut from country, rock, jazz, blues, classical, etc. and I can count on one hand the number of albums where every song on the album is not just a good song, but a great song. This album is at the top of the list. If you appreciate exquisite songwriting, it does not get any better than this. Plus, unlike some of his earlier recordings, the production is outstanding - the musicians are tight, tight, tight with outstanding arrangements. Similar to James Taylor, he attracts the best musicians and singers who just want to say they have recorded an album with Rodney.

I bought this CD because of the reviews of Rodney Crowell's other recordings and, sadly, found this a great disappointment - the lyrics to the songs are very good, but he sings them in a monotone and the music to every song sound just like all the others.