Customer Reviews

My Ride's Here

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a must have CD for any Zevon fan. It's not a cookie cutter train wreck like most music out there today and Warren along with his motley crew of Hunter S. Thompson, Paul Shaffer, Michael Wolff, Sid McGuiness, David Letterman and his own two children Jordan and Ariel Zevon (who provide backup vocals) keep this cd creative, fun and just plain awesome! It helps to understand and be a fan of Zevon's work, but I would recommend this CD to anyone that can appreciate good story telling in the form of music. The only song I had trouble with was "Laissez-moi Tranquille." This is due to the fact that this song is in French and has a pretty repetitive style, lyrically and musically. It's not hard to overlook that one song though. I wish this album had had another 2 or 3 songs on it; however the quality of the 10 tracks you get is excellent! I wish Warren would receive a little more notoriety for his work, just because I think he shouldn't have to be known as the "Guy that did Warewolves of London", but at the same time I realize that people in this world wouldn't know a good artist if one smacked them in the face...
I'm sad to say that Warren won't be with us much longer due to his inoperable Lung Cancer and it kills me to think we have to do without more recorded gems from him such as this album.

Peace be with you Warren...

"My Ride's Here" finds Warren Zevon in fine form although, with a mere 10 songs clocking in at a little over 41 minutes, it left this listener wanting more. "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)" was previously released as a single, but is included on this album. Also, for someone who made his reputation as a songwriter, it's interesting to note that only one song was written by Warren Zevon without a collaborator, and two songs weren't written by him at all. I would have much preferred another original Warren Zevon song to "Laissez-Moi Tranquille," a French song written by Serge Gainsbourg. Perhaps if I understood the language I could appreciate the song. "Basket Case" is a strange song about a sexy, psychotic woman who finally drives her lover insane. "Macgillycuddy's Reeks" is an authentic Irish-sounding song that deals with lost love. The poor protagonist is laid up in a hospital bed, his former lover now a nurse tending to him. "She only looked at my chart, the valleys and the peaks. Brought back the time she broke my heart in Macgillycuddy's reeks." The song "Genius" includes references to Mata Hari, Albert Einstein and Charlie Sheen, but again the singer personalizes it. "You broke my heart into smithereens, and that took genius...Everybody needs a place to stand, and a method for their schemes and scams. If I could only get my record clean, I'd be a genius." The title song "My Ride's Here" closes out the album on a strong note. After a life on the road, staying at innumerable hotels, the protagonist (presumably Mr. Zevon) would "..like to stay, but I'm bound for glory, I'm on my way. My ride's here..." I hope Warren makes it to the promised land. In the meantime, I enjoyed going along with the ride this album provided.

Zevon's latest, My Ride's Here is a collection of 10 songs incluces 2 cover tunes ("Laissez-Moi Tranquille", -- Translation: Leave me in peace or Leave me alone? -- "I Hate to Leave"). Zevon collaborates with various writers for MR'sH including Carl Hiassen, Hunter S. Thompson, sports writer Mitch Albon and poet, Paul Muldoon. Zevon also gets help from long-time buddy, David Letterman on "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)" where the latter yells, "Hit somebody!"
As is his trademark, Zevon uses sardonic humor. "You and the barber make a handsome pair. Guess what -- I never liked the way he cut your hair" "Genius. "I was staying at the Westin. I was playing to a draw. When in walked Charles Heston with the Tablets of the Law." "My Ride's Here".
In keeping with tradition, Zevon illustrates with a new group of wacko characters, including his "baby" the Basketcase, a "pretty as a picture and totally crazed" woman who is "manic-depressive and schizoid too." "Basketcase".
One of the best cuts on the CD is the Irish Folksong, "MacGillycuddy's Reeks". "Genius" might as well be discussing Zevon, because he's rather late in his career getting the props for his literate, intelligent brand of folksy, popsy, rocksy whateversy style of music.
Unfortunately, due to Zevon's recently disclosed health problems, this CD may be his last complete one. Although Zevon has decided to spend his remaining time (he was given a few months to live) with his two children and recording more music. Let's hope this genius gets a chance to complete his current work, and/or a miracle cures him.
For anybody who thinks Zevon is a "one-hit wonder" (I guess "Werewolves of London" would be the hit), this CD, along with Life'll Kill Ya, and gems such as "The Indifference of Heaven" show that Zevon is one of a kind, a genius. Sadly, "Werewolves" isn't even his best song; it's just his best known song.

Witty, biting, insightful and satirical in equal measure - I couldn't describe Warren Zevon's lyrics any other way. For the past several years he's been marrying those sardonic lines to stripped-down acoustic tunes as if trying to portray a more grizzled (and more on-key) Bob Dylan. However, once we kick off the record with loud drums and nice fuzzy guitar, it's probably safe to say his coffeehouse-performer phase is over for now. "Sacrificial Lambs" and "Basket Case" show there's plenty of rocking spirit in the Zevon camp after all.

On second thought - once again we're reminded never to think we know what to expect. This newfound energy lasts for an entire seven and a half minutes, at which point "Lord Byron's Luggage" takes a sudden jump into quiet-Irish-pub territory. I have no trouble imagining "McGillicuddy's Reeks" as the highlight of a movie soundtrack from one of those quaint countryside films. Heck, we can imagine a short little vignette for each song here. If tracks 3 and 4 are slow-dance pub songs, then the film represented by "...When You're Scared" is equal parts James Bond, 'Temple of Doom' and 'Romancing the Stone.' Last year's single "Hit Somebody!" is included as well, making a brief stop in the sports-movie zone (though it's the most unromanticized portrayal of hockey you're ever likely to hear in song). The slow strings of "Genius" would fit perfectly in a movie like 'A Beautiful Mind.' So of course, what better to follow it up with than the most straight-ahead rocker on the album - sung entirely in French?

The perversely upbeat "I Have to Leave" is funny, sad and touching all at once. From anyone else it might seem like a song about moving or going home after a party. But keep in mind this is Warren Zevon we're dealing with, and it's only fitting that drummer Anton Fig calls the closing title track "the nicest song about being dead I've ever played on." A surreal lyric that would be right at home on Excitable Boy is joined with a wonderfully happy tune, ending the album on the perfect high note.

I mean in no way to cheapen Warren's other releases by saying that My Ride's Here is possibly his strongest in at least a decade. It's certainly his most accomplished. The lyrical collaborations (with several prominent authors) add a whole new dimension to the music, and the music itself has more variety and strong performances than ever before. The Zevon fan club should rejoice at such a vital, spirited offering. For the others.. any serious music fan who prefers brain candy to ear candy should also find plenty to like.

The general public doesn't expect much when an artist has been around as long as Warren Zevon has. Most assume that if you're old or you haven't had a hit in a long time then you must not be that interesting. Except, the kind of music Mr. Zevon makes isn't fluffy and sweet like a Snuggle teddy bear (which the public usually embraces). No, Mr. Zevon's music is not as easily understood as the Macarena (or misunderstood?) "My Ride's Here" is another successful volume in Zevon's repertoire. If Zevon were a dime a dozen then why are there so few who are able to pen a lyric like him? "Basket Case", "Lord Byron's Luggage", "You're A Whole Different Person When You're Scared" and "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)" all underline Zevon's peculiar sardonic storytelling style to great effect. I don't think fans or critics would really debate Zevon's writing talent, that's certainly his strength. It's the music that can be debated, and Zevon's singing. While Zevon is no George Michael on the vocals, his voice is always suitable to his material. The music on "My Ride's Here" is certainly grungier, dirtier than "Life'll Kill Ya", but more diverse as well. The Celtic melodies on "Lord Byron's Luggage" and "MacGillycuddy's Reeks" stand in contrast to "Sacrificial Lambs" and "Basket Case", and the electronic French of "Laissez-Moi Tranquille". For a man that's been up, down and all around for over 30 years now, Zevon shows no signs of fading here.

After the comfortable, personal warmth of "Life'll Kill Ya," Warren rocks a little harder on this great collection of songs. It's also his most literate, as he shared the writing with such notables as Carl Hiaasen, Paul Muldoon and Hunter S. Thompson. This is also one of his albums where Warren allowed his more sophisticated musical tastes to flow freely (the string arrangement on "Genius" being the finest example).

In fact, it's hard for me to pick a favorite from this album. Every song has it's own particular charm. Be it David Letterman's guest bark on "Hit Somebody," or the Hollywood Idolmaker machine that would put Saddam Hussien at the same party as Russell Crowe (in "Sacrificial Lamb"), or the (now even more) ironic Dylanesque limo-ride-to-heaven title track that closes this disc, Zevon played to all his strongest points on "My Ride's Here." I can even stomach the bizarre inclusion of "Laissez-Moi Tranquille" sung in French.

After all, how can you resist an album that compares Albert Einstein to Charlie Sheen? And what's a Canadian farm boy to do? Dammit, I am gonna miss this guy. Warren, I hope you really are writing sonnets while wrestling the angels.

If you are like me and eagerly anticipate Warren Zevon releases, you should not be disappointed. The aging and grizzled WZ from Life'll Kill Ya hasn't mellowed any further. If anything, his barbs are more, well, literate (as they should be with who he is co-writting most of the album with) and hard-rocking.

The opening songs "Sacrificial Lambs" and "Basket Case" are two convincing hard rock numbers; "Lambs" almost sound like WZ doing speed metal. And it works, too. After that, the album has a variety of moods - most of them dark in some way. "You're A Whole Different Person When You're Scared" has the best line on the disc - 'we have ways of making you talk/you won't like at all.' I had to get my wife to translate Laissez-Moi Tranquille (another rocker) as I don't speak French - it means "leave me alone." And the title track is another happy-tempo song about death.

My favorite song is "Genius." Lyrically, it's a great she-done-me-wrong kind of song, but what I really like is the arrangement, with combines a string quartet with a very funky groove. It could replace "Desperadoes Under The Eaves" as my favorite WZ song.

In the end, My Ride's Here is a little less personal than Life'll Kill Ya. That's not a criticism - just a point. Our hero rides with us still. Buy it.

I really loved "Life'll Kill Ya". It was a very down-beat, personal record that, despite the dark themes throughout, still made me smile all the way through. I believe it to be one of his best recordings, but it might have some close competition with "My Ride's Here". This one is a lot more rocking, while still keeping all of the trademark subject matter and wit.

"Sacrificial Lambs" is a great opener with fun lyrics and a great chorus. It's one of his heaviest songs to date and you gotta love any song that mentions "Smokey And The Bandit". "Basket Case", I've been told, is the first single. It's easy to see why. I could easily see this as a radio hit and I love that guitar riff. While it's one of my favorite tracks, I still think that "Hit Somebody" would have been more appropriate for a first single. Oh yeah, David Letterman chimes in during the chorus and NO he doesn't sing. You just have to hear it.

Anyway, it might not beat out "Excitable Boy" as my favorite WZ album, but time'll tell, I guess. If you're new to his music, this is as good of a place to start as any. One thing about his music; it only gets better with time. You'll see what I mean. Just go get it.

Zevon, rock's answer to Randy Newman, has produced an album that gets better upon each listen. Initially, much like his other albums, 'My Ride's Here' is quite hard to conquer. 'Transverse City' and 'Life'll Kill Ya' are the same: both at first sound a little dull and similar, but upon multiple revisitations get better and better.

Since Zevon is terminally ill, the album has a great emotional resonance about it. The title track, 'My Ride's Here', which obviously refers to his death, is one of the most beautiful songs he's ever written. The best thing about the track is that Zevon doesn't for a second allow the music to become sad and depressing; rather, it's an uptempo acoustic number that almost speaks the words "don't worry about me" in the music. "I said man I'd love to stay... but I'm bound for glory/ and I'm on my way/ my ride's here... my ride's here," he sings.

Other outstanding tracks include 'Genius', which includes a beautiful string-quartet arrangement and lyrics so dry it's almost criminal. 'Hit Somebody' is an amusing song with shouted intonations by Late Night king David Letterman, with assistance by his musical counterpart Paul Schaffer, who does some skilful organ work. 'I Have to Leave' is a great prelude to 'My Ride's Here' - it's a little bit sad, which is what the album demanded somewhere in it's rather poppy songlist: "This time I have to leave/ it's all too clear/ it's plain to see/ no use in hanging around/ like a dog who whines and cries."

There isn't many misses on the album, but half a star off for 'Lassiez-moi Tranquille' which is annoying since it's in French. It sounds okay and gets better with each listen, but it's almost like we're robbed of a song because we don't know what he's talking about. 'Basket Case' is not a very good song, despite it's satiric and literary associations. Musically it's very dull and monotonous. The same applies to the Leonard Cohen-esque 'You're A Whole Different Person When You're Scared', an ice-cool meditation on fear and it's effects. The latter pair combined are the low-points of the album - so another half star off.

Ultimately though, 'My Ride's Here' is a conclusion of Zevon's musical career, as well as a statement about death and moving on. It's a powerful album that will bring tears to the eyes, especially when Zevon repeats "my ride's here" over and over on the final track. Persist with it and you won't be disappointed.

Warren Zevon has always had an accute eye for observing life's darker side while never dwelling on the negative. He chooses to comment on his subjects with a cunning tongue-and-cheek approach, which almost always gives way to hilarity. Things have not changed on My Ride's Here, Zevon's twelvth release. And while I loved 2000's Life'll Kill Ya, My Ride's Here is even better due to the fact that it rocks harder ("Sacrificial Lambs") and is more lyrically insightful. "Genius" is one of Zevon's best ever, a beautiful arrangement augmented with a string section all over a vaguely funky beat. The lyrics are genius indeed, who else could have come up with a line about Albert Einstein "making out like Charlie Sheen." Of course, there is "The Hockey Song (Hit Somebody)," perhaps destined to become his biggest novelty tune since "Werewolves of London." But luckily he's going for more than mere schlock, for this is a song with dead-on lyrics and complete with churchy Paul Schaffer organ (not to mention David Letterman). Other songs run the familiar not-so-subtle cutdown gamut, such as "Basket Case" and "You're a Whole Different Person when You're Scared." Musically, the two largest departures are "Lord Byron's Luggage" and "MacGillyCuddy's Reeks," both of which do that happy Celtic/St. Patty's Day dance sorta thing.
Through all the years and turbulent changes, Zevon remains as dependable as grandma's apple pie. It's a joy to hear something so well preserved being slyly updated and actually improved upon. Now go support the man and pick up a copy!