Sea of Tears

Eilen Jewell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Signature Sounds
• ASIN: B001TKKAPK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,940 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #49 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Country Folk
  • #68 in Music > Rock > Roots Rock
  • #89 in Music > Indie Music > Folk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CD that I'll be giving as a Xmas gift to friends, May 16, 2009

By 

G. Alexander (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sea of Tears (Audio CD)

One of my favorite CDs of the year, just a notch behind Jenny Lewis' "Acid Tongue." For musical details, I concur with the review by Colin Spence. I also concur with his evaluation of 4 and 1/2 stars but gave the CD five stars to balance out the Amazon tab. Jewell's music is very unlikely to reach mass media saturation (which is good) but it has already (and rather quickly) become popular with radio stations featuring an Americana format (which is also good since it will allow her to make a living, keep her superb band together and record more music in the future). It's not only difficult but also rather foolish to try to compete with a definitive cover version by The Who in their prime (i.e. Live At Leeds. I was so taken by Jewell's take on "Shakin' All Over" that I heard by chance on internet radio, however, that I made a point of finding out the performer and then buying the CD without bothering to listen to any other tracks. Because the CD as a whole is so likeable from the very first listen, this is a great CD to give as a gift to friends who enjoy hearing "undiscovered" musicians.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars +1/2 -- Blue country cool meets hot rock twang, May 5, 2009

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sea of Tears (Audio CD)

Jewell's third album retains the 30s jazz phrasings of her vocals, but the folk and country sounds of 2007's Letters From Sinners & Saints give way to electric guitars that twang like slow-motion rockabilly. No fiddle or harmonica this time, and only a few vocal harmonies supplement the basic guitar, drums, and bass. Dark strums of sustain contrast interestingly with Jewell's reflective vocals, turning Johnny Kidd & the Pirate's "Shakin' All Over" into a contest between cool reserve and hot guitar licks. Imagine the calm and collected Julie London backed by the Blue Caps' galloping Cliff Gallup. The British Invasion also provides Them's "I'm Gonna Dress in Black," rousing Jewell to angry self-pity.

The three covers (which also include Loretta Lynn's "The Darkest Day") have been reworked to downbeat- and mid-tempos that dovetail seamlessly with the blue twang of the nine originals. The opening "Rain Rolls In" contrasts chiming 12-string and a languid vocal with a lyric whose resignation extends to the grave. A similar pairing is heard in the mid-tempo title track, a jaunty vocal mouthing words of romantic misery. The aftermath of rejection threads through many of these tunes, alternating between quests of forgiveness and solitary rejections of the outside world; even the blue-jazz pep-talk "Final Hour" is more an escape from lethargy than a trek towards self-empowerment.

The closing "Codeine Arms" bookends the opener's sense of doom with a consumptive plea that's closer to the ignominy of McCabe & Mrs. Miller's opium den than the desperation of Buffy St. Marie's "Cod'ine." Yesteryear jazz and blues vocalists, most obviously Billie Holiday, cast a spell over Jewell's vocals, but the rootsy support of her band tends more to Christy McWilson territory than Madeline Peyroux. The absence of direct folk and country influences gives this disc a distinct roots-rock sound that's more singularly focused than her previous releases. Jewell's a talented songwriter and compelling vocalist, but guitarist Jerry Miller may be the real hidden treasure here. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars eilens voice is intoxicating, April 21, 2009

By 

J. Lauder - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sea of Tears (Audio CD)

i got sea of tears through signature records two weeks ago and it hasnt left my cd player or have i listened to anything else..theres more of a rock edge to these sounds thanks to millers guitar ...i know this year is early but it ranks number one so far...this is a no miss purchase.. shes all of lucinda, pieta and others..i highly recommend