Customer Reviews

Ricks Road

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

 

 

I first caught on to Texas while I was on holiday in Egypt, of all places. All it took was a glimpse of lead singer Sharleen Spiteri to pique my curiousity, so the first chance I got I checked them out online. Typically, I don't buy an album without at least hearing one song from it. Even with the sample clips, you can never be sure that you'll actually like it or not. This one, however, was an exception. After reading the stellar reviews, I listened to a sample of track 4, and that's all it took. Based on that twenty seconds of brilliance alone, I had to have it. I was definitely not disappointed.
There is no end to the talent this band posesses, and it shows through on every track on this album. Their songwriting and lyrics are simple and honest, and their musicianship is tight, well-played, and simply sounds great. And let's not forget Sharleen; she can go from rocking you like Melissa Etheridge to seducing you like Sarah McLachlan (and everything in between), all without batting an eye. If I had to compare her voice to any one person, in terms of range, raw power, and just plain sounding good, I'd say she's right up there with Elvis.
There is no doubt, if you've never heard of this band (as I suspect many Americans like myself have not), you should definitely check them out. The only disappointment you'll feel is that the American music industry has been neglecting them all this time.

If Music from Big Pink by The Band was your bag, this rock collection recorded in the same place and named after the street it's on is for you. I obtained a European version of the CD a full year before its American release, and it still has a place in my car's CD-changer. Ellen DeGeneris made So Called Friend a TV anthem, while You Owe It All To Me has the life-affirmance that Alanis Morrissette's You Oughta Know replaces with lewd images, four letter words, and a scene from Fatal Attraction. I Want to Go to Heaven is worthy Mississippi Delta Blues, while I'm So In Love With You is a wedding first-dance of aching power. You can hear the back side of their first album Southside in Fearing These Days. First note to the last chord, this album is the pinnacle of achievement.

I still remember hearing "You owe it all to me" in the middle of the night. Truthfully, there are better Texas songs. Many of them affect me deaply beacuae of Sharleen Spiteri's seductive voice. Not that the band isn't one of the most talented and underrated around.

Close to 10 years later, I own every Texas ablum (and a few bootlegs) that I can lay my hands on. Not a day goes by when I don't listen to at least one of them.

You may not have heard of Texas on US radio due to poor Us marketing and poorer still US radio. But pick any Texas Album (The Greatest Hits is a good one to start with) and buy it. You'll be back for this one soon enough.

Texas definitely get kudos for evolving as a band over the years. Still though, Ricks Road noses out White on Blonde as my personal favorite.

The last release of the more rock/blues side of the band, this CD is Southside with muscle. Sharleen's voice is really outstanding, it's no wonder they made the transition to different styles so seamlessly. Great tracks include the uptempo "So Called Friend", "Fade Away" and "You Got to Live a Little", the atmospheric "Fearing These Days" which would sound right at home on a Maria McKee record, the slower "Listen To Me" and my favorite, the cover of Al Green's "Tired of Being Alone". "Winter's End" closes things out in fine style.

I was actually fortunate enough to catch Texas live when they supported James in 1994. A terrific show, one that I will always remember.

As mentioned in my "Mother's Heaven" review, I have the first 5 Texas Cd's. "Rick's Road" comfortably settles in as the 2nd best effort. They get away from the success of their previous release in search of that elusive first US hit and it takes its toll a bit, but it also allows them to stretch their wings a bit, meander and continue to show off their main assets---soul, Spiteri's voice and Cooder-esque guitar. Their is a trade off, but ultimately a good one. The highlights are "So Called Friend" (which they played on the Tonight Show), "Listen To Me", "Hear Me Now", "Fearing These Days" and "Winter's End". Ultimately, the band throws so many different song style nuances, anxiously awaiting to see which direction they should go---likely based on a hit in the US that sadly never came. They do an excellent cover of Al Green's "Tired or Being Along" but it's bitter sweet. It sounds nice, but it lead them down the soulless, glossy motown retro sound which robbed hard core fans of the great potential they had when they started. While "White On Blonde" is interesting, this is Texas' last good album, IMO.

Despite the critics voices arising on a few specialised websites, this one's a very consistent and significant album, with quite good compositions and an authentic Texas sound deserving to be listened and enjoyed carefully.

Sharleen's voice is amazing, reching highs and lows majestically. Also, music instrumentation is quite organic, intimate, folkie, hooking.

I highly recommend Ricks Road! Fade Away, in particular, is an awesome song.

this is a Texas album that probably we will never hear again, according to what I heard from their new album (careful what you wish for), which is just prolonguing the path signed by their previous albums (hush and white on blonde), i.e. a pop record. But forget now about it, Ricks road is a nicely done rock/blues album, Shar shows once again that she has a gifted voice, and the band is at their best probably, sounding very tight and confident, thay all seemed to be having a great time when recording this one.

Every track here is a winner, no wonder why Amazon has to re stock this one very often, people just keep buying it.

I enjoyed this album. I bought it on a whim after it was on the listening station at my local store. It's really a great album, albeit a little dumbed-down musically. A good choice if you're looking to expand your horizons.