Customer Reviews

Seven Angels on a Bicycle

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although this latest album finds Carrie Rodriguez of Chip Taylor/Carrie Rodriguez fame flying solo, Taylor's fingerprints are easy to find: eleven out of the twelve songs are either written or co-written by him (Rodriguez shares writing credit on four), the album is co-produced by the duo, and Taylor plays acoustic guitar, one of a very fine set of assisting artists.

Nevertheless "Seven Angels on a Bicycle" seems a determined and mostly successful effort to broaden Rodriguez's range from the basically country/folk sound of her duet albums with Taylor--the instrumental colors are much more varied, with world-music, techno-pop and jazz flavors evident. In this "Angels" brings Emmylou Harris' recent work to mind, and just as with Harris, the album occasionally skirts the edge of overproduction. What keeps it from going over is, first, the quality of the material--Taylor's songs in particular are edgy and interesting, a certain hard self-awareness keeping even the most torchy ballads from slipping into corn (not printing his frequently intricate lyrics is an annoying drawback of the otherwise glamorous production). Second, Rodriguez' voice is strong enough to keep from getting buried in the background. In some of the slow numbers, "He Ain't Jesus" and "Big Kiss" in particular, she lets loose with full-throated sounds that some more mainstream pop queens would be proud to possess. All is not lost for fans of earlier albums, though; "Never Gonna Be Your Bride" and "I Don't Want to Play House Anymore" mine familiar funky-country territory with entertaining results. All in all, "Seven Angels on a Bicycle" will not disappoint fans of this very talented young artist.

I'm new to Carrie Rodriguez, never have listened to her colaborations with Chip Taylor. I read a review somewhere on this release and took a chance.....very glad I did. I just can't get this one out of my CD player. For someone who hasn't been the lead singer very long, she nails it!! Clear distinct voice. Love the music, not your ordinary country sound at all. Can't wait for more from Carrie...alone.

Carrie Rodriguez is well known to me because of three excellent CD's she made with her collaborator and mentor, Chip Taylor, songwriter, professional gambler, and uncle of Angelina Jolie. The style of the two was mostly down-home folk and country. Carrie's Texas fiddle and twangy voice fit the music.

This CD is a stretch for Carrie. Most of the songs are more cosmic than country -- with a bit of India, jazz, and techno-pop. I like the songs best where her twang comes through most strongly with a background of guitar and banjo that could have been arranged by Ravi Shankar. (My wife, however, doesn't like this CD -- although she much enjoys the Taylor/Rodriguez collaborations.) Down home pickin' and Carrie's bluegrass fiddle really come to the fore only on "Never Gonna be Your Bride" and "I Don't Want to Play House Anymore" which may be the best song on the CD.

If you're a country fan you might test drive your taste for this by previewing "Seven Angels on a Bicycle" which is typical of the album as a whole. I like most of the tracks -- although some are a bit draggy and an additional uptempo number or two might have made the CD even stronger. On first listen, I like this CD, and Carrie's new direction. I'll see how it ages.

Smallchief

Sublime, delightful, a masterpiece.
A perfect work of Carrie, Frisell, Leisz and the rest of musicians.
A gift
Robert

Chip's influence is not entirely gone. He writes many of the songs here. Ultimately, though, this is Carrie doing her thing. So, so well.

Caught Carrie opening up for Lucinda Williams in Knoxville spring of 07 - Was blown away with the skill and talent - great songs and a very "real' performer. Can't wait to see how she progresses.

Haunting and Mysterious and Original - a great album. Every track is solid. I really like this cd.

this is the record nora jones was supposed to make. adult music. complex and very listenable. it keeps getting better. highly reccommended.

i have the first four works by her with chip taylor and this one just doesn't come close although good in her own way it isn't the sound i'm looking for

I became a big fan of Carrie from her previous work with Chip Taylor so I had high expectations for this solo release. A huge disappointment for me. It wasn't what I expected and I didn't care for the songwriting or the arranging.

RS from NYC