Customer Reviews

Resolution

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a BoDeans fan since their first album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, in 1986. In 1989 I finally saw them live, at NYC's Ritz ballroom. Having seen the Stones a week prior, I came away thinking, the Stones claim to be the world's greatest rock'n'roll band-- but maybe I'd give them number two. That's how great the BoDeans were live, and I haven't missed them since if I could possibly catch a show.

For me, 1996's Blend was something of a disappointment, and while opinions will vary on that score, I thought it was their weakest (although still pretty darn good.) That it took 8 years to see a follow-up-- despite Kurt and Sammy each releasing solo albums in the interim-- was a crying shame.

From the first strains of Kurt's "If It Makes You," it is clear that this is an unabashed return to form. Then Sammy's fine "Marianne" follows, and you are in BoDeans heaven. The production may be a bit too slick and modern-- frankly I'm in the camp that says T-Bone Burnett should produce every one of their albums (he did the first and Go Slow Down)-- but as on Black and White, which initially suffered from jarring production that got in the way of the songs, eventually after enough listens the songs shone through and the production faded into the background. The BoDeans are a band best served when the producer stays out of the way.

The best part of any BoDeans album is where the primary songwriter is joined by the other. The quintessential example is on Home's "You Don't Get Much," when Sammy wraps his voice around Kurt's for the line "In this old town (Sammy joins now) the wind starts blowin'." In an odd way the BoDeans are like the Indigo Girls, where two songwriters compose seperately, but make each other's songs better than the sum of its parts by blending their interpretive talents.

If you are a BoDeans fan of any level of intensity, I think you want this album. If you are new to the group, though, it probably isn't the place to start; I'd start with L&H&S&D and/or Go Slow Down. And my personal favorite is their second, Outside Looking In. And too, I gave this 5 stars, but my real rating would be 4.5. Stand-out tracks for me are "If It Makes You," "Marianne," "(We Can) Live," "Wild World," (the first 4),"Crazy," and "617." At least those are the ones I put on my iPod.

It's a solid album; actually, in all fairness it probably deserves a better compliment, but after their hiatus I would have expected more. It might just be me, but there's something missing that I cannot quite put my finger on. I don't regret the purchase and it's still better than anything you'll hear on commercial radio.

I've been a fan of the BoDeans since their first album and I remember upon my first listen of 'Black And White' I paused and repeated the 7th track, "Naked", about 30 times before proceeding to the next song. I just sat there for a couple hours listening to that one song over and over. The BoDeans have always had that affect on me. Sammy's vocals are mesmerizing and evoke emotion that almost no other artist can.

So naturally I've been looking forward to this new release. It begins with its' best track, "If It Makes You", a straight forward love song featuring Kurt's vocals and brilliant guitar playing. It also features that wonderful BoDeans production of layered guitar in the mode of the great Phil Spector. "If It Makes You" falls well short of the BoDeans best but it is a terrific song.

The other two high points are "Sleep" and "Nobody Loves Me" which both feature Kurt's screaming guitar over an otherwise typical Sammy accoustic ballad. These songs and a few others on the album offer quite a departure from the usual BoDeans sound. I also like "Slipping Into You", "Once In A While", "617" and "Crazy".

Unfortunately that is about all there is to like on 'Resolution'. The songwriting is pretty weak and Sammy's vocals have lost the power and passion they had on earlier records. This continues the trend that hurt the quality on their two mid 90s albums. All seven of the BoDeans studio albums are worth owning and each one includes at least two great songs but, like I suspect most their fans feel, their first three albums are the way to go for new listeners.

I just picked this CD and I really enjoyed the first listen. It could almost pass as a best of collection because the tracks come from all aspects of BoDeans music. My initial reaction is this is a must have for any Bodeans fan and a nice introduction to anyone else.

I knew my life had a void in it this past 8 years and thank God the Bodeans have come out with a new CD and filled it! This is one of the best CD's this year! The Bodeans are easily one of the best songwriting bands over the past 20 years and they show that off on this new CD on almost every track. An essential CD to own.

Funny how time changes things. When the BoDeans released their last studio album, 'Blend', in 1996, it seemed like their weakest release to date. Now, in 2006, it stands up as one of their most refreshing, unpretentious, rock-solid albums, and it contains what may be their very best individual song ("Hurt By Love" - why the hell don't they play this classic more live ??).

After eight years since then, the guys remain one of the best live acts in rock 'n roll and I never miss 'em, but this album sounds tired and uninspired especially after the long wait. Sure, "If It Makes You" and "617" are great songs, but it seems like the legal hassles they were involved in of recent with their former manager (and which were a BIG reason why there was an eight year wait since 'Blend') have taken a toll on their creativity - at least temporarily. The slickness of the production seems to want to make up for the lack of inspiration of the material.

I still give it three stars because it's better than most releases out there, and Kurt and Sammy's voices are still magnificent, but I think it probably will remain only a mediocre album even over time. But here's hoping the guys regain their powers for the next release, and I think they probably will now that their private battles as a band are out of the way. Now go catch 'em live !

After an 8 year hiatus, the Bodeans are back with their newest effort "Resolution." Perhaps Kurt and Sammy have resolved whatever issues came between them, because this CD proves they have not lost their sense of unity. The upbeat "Wild World" and "Said Hello" gives the feel of their "Home" cd. "Sleep" demonstrates some excellent guitar work while the song sounds more like their later works such as "Blend". The opening track "If It Makes You" sounds much like their earlier material like "She's A Runaway". There is not really a bad track on here, though "Marianne" and "Nobody Loves Me" are the weakest tracks. The ballad "Two Souls" and "Sleep" proves that the Bodeans have not lost their personal touch of sensitivity. The arrangement of songs, however, should have been better thought out. The obvious opener could have been "Said Hello", while the last song would have been appropriate to have been "Sleep." Nevertheless, "Resolution" has brought the Bodeans backs to their roots, yet at the same time, has also proven growth as musicans and song writers. The 8 year wait was well worth it as "Resolution" is one of their best discs since "Black and White."

I've listened to the BoDeans since the mid 80's when I first saw them in concert. They just keep getting better. If you liked any of the previous BoDeans music, you're going to love Resolution. Like their past songs, the music on Resolution is real, deep, and pleasant to listen to. The harmonies between Sam and Kurt are awesome. You can close your eyes and imagine them in concert. The BoDeans don't just create an album with 1 or 2 good songs and have the rest be crap like most modern bands. This album is full of great songs that BoDeans fans will love.

First I want to say that I have been a fan of the BoDeans since the first. This new CD is great. I love the harmonies, the guitars, the dualities of voice between Sammy and Kurt.
Having grown up in Milwaukee and listening to the band at Summerfest I never thought that the BoDeans would have gotten to be so large until I was working at a ChiChis in Iowa with a BoDeans t-shirt and had a native Iowan ask me where I got the shirt (love & sex & hope & dreams) and what kind of fan was I? She was a big fan and I was shocked...SHOCKED that there was a fan base outside of Milwaukee.
If you are a fan of the BoDeans, thanks a lot, they deserve all the love that they can get.

I have been listening to the bodeans since i got my first bodeans' cd, home back in the late 80's. I have been hooked ever since. Their down to roots, americana rock blew me away and has continued to do so ever since that day. Nothing they have released has ever disappointed me, which includes, Resolution.

But 8 years? come on guys... you can't do that to your dedicated fans! I have become so used to home, blend, LHSD, go slow down, and all the rest, this new cd seems like an intrusion into my once familiar catalog. I am sure though the warm spot i hold in my heart for these guys will soon accept the new disc on the block.

I highly suggest this purchase, be prepared to be blown away, as always.