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Track Listings
| 1. It's Alright |
| 2. Book of Love |
| 3. The Easy Way |
| 4. The Tide Falls Away |
| 5. Buzzer |
| 6. The Business of Things |
| 7. You Are Everyone |
| 8. Go to the Woods |
| 9. Holly Tree |
| 10. Troubled Times |
| 11. Midnight Radio |
| 12. Summerday |
Editorial Reviews
One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of her generation, Dar Williams has been engaging audiences with her musical artistry since the early 1990s when she rose from the Northeast coffeehouse circuit to the national spotlight. Dar releases her first studio in 2008 after three years, Promised Land. Produced by Brad Wood (Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins), the album features 12 reflective songs that introduce a new Pop sound for Dar Williams. Lending support on the album are such renowned artists as Suzanne Vega and Marshall Crenshaw. Promised Land is sure to connect with Dar fans old and new. 'Williams infuses intelligent songwriting with comforting melodies.' - Relix. 'A new generation of pop-folk enthusiasts lauds her as one of the genre's central figures.'- Paste
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a pretty big Dar Williams fan--I have all of her albums and I've seen her in concert a few times. I like Dar Williams because of her funny, storytelling folk rock style; for me her best songs are always the ones like "The Babysitter's Here", "Christians and the Pagans" and "Spring Street" which capture a narrative in song.
I was a disappointed by Dar's last album "My Better Self" which I thought lost some of her signature narrative style in favor of adult pop appeal. "Promised Land" brings that narrative style back. While its not quite as strong as it was in some of Dar's earlier albums, it is clearly there, taking you back to the old Dar. The album is enjoyable to listen to and sing-able like the best of Dar's work.
I would recommend this album to fan's of Dar William's older work. People who are only familiar with "My Better Self" may be surprised, but I think this album is still worth a listen.
I was a disappointed by Dar's last album "My Better Self" which I thought lost some of her signature narrative style in favor of adult pop appeal. "Promised Land" brings that narrative style back. While its not quite as strong as it was in some of Dar's earlier albums, it is clearly there, taking you back to the old Dar. The album is enjoyable to listen to and sing-able like the best of Dar's work.
I would recommend this album to fan's of Dar William's older work. People who are only familiar with "My Better Self" may be surprised, but I think this album is still worth a listen.
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Chronos467
Format:Audio CD
I've been a fan of Dar's since the beginning. I purchased the Honesty Room before it was on Razor and Tie and I think her first three albums are some of the best albums of the nineties. However, unlike Diane Zeigler whose debut album came out around the same time as the Honesty Room and has remained consistent although not as prolific, Dar's work has gotten progressively less interesting. I still like it -- just not as much as I did.
I was excited when I read that she was working with producer Brad Wood and was going for a more pop sound on this record, but the results were more to the folk end of the spectrum. Don't get me wrong - I love folk music -- but this album was just not very interesting.
It's funny. When I got this record I popped it in my car player and one song really jumped out at me -- Troubled Times. I thought, "Wow. That's the best song that Dar has written in years. What a great melody." Then I read the liner notes and found out it was written by Collingwood and Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne. No wonder it had a great hook.
I don't dislike this album; I just don't like it that much either.
I was excited when I read that she was working with producer Brad Wood and was going for a more pop sound on this record, but the results were more to the folk end of the spectrum. Don't get me wrong - I love folk music -- but this album was just not very interesting.
It's funny. When I got this record I popped it in my car player and one song really jumped out at me -- Troubled Times. I thought, "Wow. That's the best song that Dar has written in years. What a great melody." Then I read the liner notes and found out it was written by Collingwood and Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne. No wonder it had a great hook.
I don't dislike this album; I just don't like it that much either.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been a fan since the early days. I had the pleasure of meeting her when she came to Tampa several years ago, opening for Patty Larkin. She visited a local record store to promote her appearance, singing two or three of her songs for me and five other people... I was enchanted, by her lyrics, her distinctive melodies and her delightful voice. In my opinion this is her strongest album since the 'babysitter' days; appealing both to her die-hard devotees and now to a wider audience of the more 'pop'-oriented enthusiasts. All the songs are strong, lyrically and melodically... the reasons for her success thus far. Highly recommended!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Patrick
Format:Audio CD
It seems funny to me that whenever someone branches out and tries different things...or god forbid becomes more popular with the masses that they are either a sell-out or not as interesting as an artist any more.
It is true that this CD has more of a pop element to it, but it is very well done. The songs are well written and catchy as one would suspect from Dar Williams and as a whole the entire thing sounds gorgeous.
I would certainly steer people who are new to Dar Williams back to her earlier work if only to see how she has moved stylistically from that point to this one.
The bottom line is that if her name is on the cover, you can be sure that you are in store for a pleasurable experience from one of this generations truly gifted singer-songwriters.
I for one am glad that Dar Williams has just not stuck to one sound and aimed to churn the same album out time after time.
It is true that this CD has more of a pop element to it, but it is very well done. The songs are well written and catchy as one would suspect from Dar Williams and as a whole the entire thing sounds gorgeous.
I would certainly steer people who are new to Dar Williams back to her earlier work if only to see how she has moved stylistically from that point to this one.
The bottom line is that if her name is on the cover, you can be sure that you are in store for a pleasurable experience from one of this generations truly gifted singer-songwriters.
I for one am glad that Dar Williams has just not stuck to one sound and aimed to churn the same album out time after time.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By C. E. Wright
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had never heard of Dar Williams before hearing an interview with her on NPR. Intrigued by the pieces of songs played as part of that interview, I bought Promised Land.
It contains a wonderfully varied set of songs, all with interesting settings and well sung. Williams has a wonderful voice that she uses well to enhance both the sound her music and the meaning behind the lyrics -- although sometimes that makes it hard to hear the exact words. I quickly found myself singing parts of them to myself during the day, Some, like "The Business of Things" can really stay with you.
As a university professor of psychology, I was bowled over the first time I heard "Buzzer." I can think of know other recording based on a psychology experiment, even one as famous as Milgrim's work on obedience.
It contains a wonderfully varied set of songs, all with interesting settings and well sung. Williams has a wonderful voice that she uses well to enhance both the sound her music and the meaning behind the lyrics -- although sometimes that makes it hard to hear the exact words. I quickly found myself singing parts of them to myself during the day, Some, like "The Business of Things" can really stay with you.
As a university professor of psychology, I was bowled over the first time I heard "Buzzer." I can think of know other recording based on a psychology experiment, even one as famous as Milgrim's work on obedience.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By K. Silver
Format:Audio CD
I have only been familiar with Dar Williams for a couple of years. My boyfriend has been a big long time fan. This is my favorite CD thus far. This past summer, we saw her at an small outdoor concert and where she performed these tracks without accompaniment. We couldn't wait until this CD came out and have enjoyed every track.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
IMHO, Dar just keeps getting better & better. This is great songwriting, supported with great arrangements/production, and a beautiful voice. I think this CD will satisfy folkies and rockers alike. Dar's songs are intelligent & insightful, so it is likely they will never be played on dumbed-down-I-struggled-thru-eighth-grade Commerical FM. And that is too bad because this is excactly the kind of stuff we should play for our friends who think there has been no good music since they left college 20-30 years ago. I like every song on here, although "Buzzer" is particularly appropriate to the turmoil & political failure we are experiencing in the US today. I highly recommend this to everyone.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dar is wonderful
I heard her for the first time on a movie soundtrack and was thrilled to find that she had put out cds of her own. Thank you!
Published 4 months ago by dancewithme
4.0 out of 5 stars
An impulse purchase
I enjoy music, so often purchase mp3 download albums, that give suggestions at the bottom of the thank you page.. This was one such suggestion, that I bought as an impulse. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Wm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dar does it again! Amazing!
Back in the nineties I found Dar's Honesty Room just when I needed it and I can still play it and enjoy it as much as I did back then, and Green world (2000) was amazing as well. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Macoeur
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Dar!
Can Dar Williams present anything less than brilliant? Perhaps, but don't look for anything less here. Read more
Published on November 22, 2010 by MarkyDi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Not Dar's best, but close to it. Very well recorded, with great folk-pop energy on "It's Alright" & "Troubled Times". Read more
Published on November 15, 2010 by Foxpaw6
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Dar and a bit more
Once again Dar shows her intelligence, her wit and her story-telling genius in 12 beautifully crafted songs, with a few surprises too. Read more
Published on April 18, 2009 by Mark Hitchenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Sound!
I really like Dar Williams. Never had the opportunity to hear her music and am not sorry I made this choice.
Published on March 23, 2009 by Malinda G. Smouse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aural Boner
As usual, Dar does not disappoint. I recommend this to anybody who liked Dar's last CD.
Published on March 19, 2009 by Some
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quintessential Dar
The Queen of Astounding Lyrics does it again. If you're a Dar fan, this is a must-have and I don't need to explain to you why. Read more
Published on March 17, 2009 by Lora F.
4.0 out of 5 stars
As Promised
After a multi-year hiatus, Dar Williams returns with a superbly crafted set of story-telling songs on "As Promised. Read more
Published on March 14, 2009 by Tim Brough
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