Customer Reviews

Sheryl Crow

5 star:		(104)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

After years in the business as a backup singer for a number of big name pop and rock acts, Sheryl Crow hit it big with Tuesday Night Music Club, an album chocked full of catchy, well-crafted, radio-orientated pop tunes. Nothing on that album, though, really hinted at what lay in store for 1996's self-titled album. Crow had become one of those very few artists who has been both lucky and brave with her career. Her years as a backing vocalist had made her industry savvy, and the big success of her debut album gave her enough industry clout that she could assume creative control of her subsequent albums.

In addition to singing and writing or co-writing all of the songs on the album, Crow also produced and plays guitar, bass, and Hammond organ on the disc. She brings to this album, a bigger, noisier, more rock n' roll sound to complement a more accomplished, edgier collection of songs. The guitar sound is somewhere between the Stones of Exile on Mainstreet and early Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Crow's voice is less studio- produced sounding than it was on her previous record, moving from a sweet soul/R&B sound on "Everyday is a Winding Road" and "Hard to Make a Stand" to a harsher, harder-edged, almost Janis Joplin-like buzz on "If It Makes You Happy" and "Ordinary Morning."

"Maybe Angels," "A Change," "Sweet Rosalyn," "Everyday is a Winding Road," "Love is a Good Thing," and "Hard to Make a Stand" round out a great record.

Released in 1996, Sheryl Crow's self-titled sophomore albums is a nice blend of the sounds that represented the 90s. It mixes grunge-style electric guitar tracks--debut single "If It Makes You Happy" (Grammy winner for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance), and "Maybe Angels" (which name checks Cobain); uptempo acoustic pop numbers--singles "A Change Would Do You Good" and "Every Day Is A Winding Road"; and a variety of other styles.

All of the songs were co-written by Crow, many of them by herself, and she shows great strength in this aspect. This album is more socially conscious than her debut: the track "Redemption Day" speaks of government corruption, poverty, and suffering, while "Hard To Make A Stand" references abortion rights in the United States. Also, there is an underlying tone of depression throughout the CD. "Home" is about a woman in a loveless marriage, and "Oh Marie" talks about a girl of whom Sheryl is very jealous, until she realizes Marie really leads an unfulfilling, empty life.

There are some experimental tracks on the album which are quite good, especially considering they're far different from Crow's other stuff. "Love Is A Good Thing" is a funk song; it has a killer bass line. "Superstar" combines traditional rock instruments with Piano and Wurlitzer, as well as a large variety of percussions, to make a unique but catchy song.

Perhaps best of all is the growth in Sheryl's voice since the first album. Here it is much clearer, smoother, and seems to have a better range. She uses this well on ballad-type songs, such as "Ordinary Morning."

Overall, this is an incredible sophomore album. Though it didn't sell as many copies as its predecessor, it is in every aspect better. Sheryl's voice, songwriting, and the overall feel of the tracks show vast improvement. It's no surprise it won the Grammy for Best Rock Album.

The title of Sheryl Crow's debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club, was the name her and the group of musicians that wrote and played on the album called themselves. As the title of her eponymous second album suggests, it is all about Sheryl Crow. She was questioned on how much of her first album she was actually responsible for and if she was just a product of other's efforts. This album puts those accusations to rest and with its superiority to the first record, the Music Club may have been holding her back. She sings, produces, writes, plays guitar and keyboards and she deftly mixes ballads and rockers. The ballads like "Home", "The Book" and "Redemption Day" emphasize her ability to bring emotion into a song. "A Change" has a bluesy guitar riff and "Hard To Make A Stand" has a 70's rock feel. "If It Makes You Happy" contains the best vocal work of her career and hit number nine on the Billboard charts. "Love Is A Good Thing" started a minor controversy with its attack on Wal-Mart selling guns. Ms. Crow was dead on with her assessment on the giant retail chain's hypocryptal stance on banning certain albums from their chains yet selling guns to teenagers. It's this ability to touch a chord that makes the album stand out. "Superstar" has a soaring and lush melody and "Every Day Is A Winding Road" with its bright and sunny music and lyrics is the best song on the album. Sheryl Crow proved that Ms. Crow was no flash in the pan and was one of the few bright lights on the rock music scene.

I must admit I was not very impressed with Crow's debut "Tuesday Night Music Club". I thought she was just another pop flash in the pan. Upon the arrival of this self-titled CD in 1996, my opinion changed 360 degrees.

This recording is a risk-taker. There are an abundance of new sounds, new vocals, new ways of expression in the lyrics and original temperament that make this recording an exciting listen. From beginning to end, all the songs have something new to say and are arranged to compliment the entire package. The dark, brooding, shadowy landscape that Crow paints on every track fits so well that it creates an aura of great intensity. The quality of the engineering of the recordings is first rate. The bleak, sepia tones of the CD cover and liner notes adds perfectly to the dark ambiance of the music.

This is not to say that this CD is a downer. On the contrary, it is very powerful, confident and in your face. Crow's experimentation with her vocals and her range is superb ("Sweet Rosalyn", "Love Is A Good Thing", "The Book" and "Ordinary Morning"). The strongest track is "If It Makes You Happy", the centerpiece of the CD. The country flavourings of "Home" are just perfect. The social commentary of "Redemption Day", "Love Is A Good Thing" and "Hard To Make A Stand" is right on the money.

This continues to be Crow's best effort. "The Globe Sessions" came close in matching this kind of deep quality with Crow's maturing and tight, crisp lyrics. She has so much talent, as was exhibited here that we may still hear the best from her to come.

Sheryl Crow's self titled second album is leaps and bounds better than her debut, not to say it was horrible or even bad, but this is truly a great album start to finish. I think this is the album where Sheryl truly found her own voice in terms of her own style of songwriting and just the approach to the music. The album had some very successful singles in "If It Makes You Happy", "Everyday Is A Winding Road" and "A Change Would Do You Good", which are now standard Crow clasics. There are some truly brilliant moments on the album in addition to these hit singles. "Home" is gritty and personal, one of the best songs on the album. "Redemption Day" has some really sharp lyrics that make you think. Much of the music is layered with drum loops and obscure sounds, giving the album a vintage feel to it, at least I think so. Other highlights include "Hard To Make A Stand", "Ordinary Morning", "Superstar", "Maybe Angels", and more. An excellent album!

This is such a great CD. All of the songs are really good, but the best song probably has to be "Every Day Is A Winding Road". Some other good songs are "A Change," "Maybe Angels," and "If It Makes You Happy." This CD really showed what a great artist Sheryl is. Nowadays, she has slinked back to her happy "All I Wanna Do" phase, which is good because I love the song "Soak Up The Sun." This CD, though, is a bit darker, but still an awesome sophomore effort. She also improves on her vocals a whole lot. Wow, I think I've just gotten myself in the mood to go listen to this right now! I recommend this CD to anyone, it's a great CD. It's especially recommended if you like Alanis. This is a great purchase, don't pass it up! Really! Enjoy!!!!!

This 1996 album shows a lot of promise in who is now known as Sheryl Crow. The sum of the thirteen songs is played somewhat too safe and a tad clunky, but she finds herself in a few gems. Almost like a female "Eagles", Ms. Crow exhibits talent in many styles.

"Ordinary Mornings" has her screaming the blues with a great guitar lead that matches her vocals. "Torch Song" makes for a good bluesy number also with a nice guitar lead. If you're looking for a little country-western rock, "Redemption Day" easily satisfies that area. She could have done an entire album on that subject.

"Hard To Make A Stand" and "Love Is A Good Thing" are MOR but still provide a semblance of good funk to keep anyone satified. Only on the hit, "Everyday Is A Winding Road", Does Sheryl Crow come into her own - and it's a great single that set her off in the direction she now follows. It's upbeat, dancey and cheery.

This may not be her best stuff, but it sure has enough on it to make it worth the purchase.

Her second album is often relegated to the dump bins of used record stores. This does not reflect this album's musical merit or its longevity as an artistic highpoint in her career. Here are some of Sheryl Crow's rawest, best musical expressions - think the "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" album. Most know "Every Day Is A Winding Road" and "If It Makes You Happy" but it's the tracks like "Oh Marie" and the very Beatles-esque "Home" (with very Harrison-ish guitar) that are the real gems. In my opinion, she has yet to match this release for consistently 'great' tracks throughout.

i'm 14 but don't have an account anymore (used to be joey_starwisher)
As I mentioned in my title I bought this as a tape when I was 4 or 5. Sheryl was the first non-kiddie artist I liked. I bought it on CD nine years later & still love it!
Heres a track-by-track review:
1. Maybe Angels: Interesting concept. Tom Cruise would love the lyrics (LOL!). Very cool beat. Love this one. 10/10
2. A Change Would Do You Good: One of the 5 singles, the fourth to be precise Loved in in the 90's. Love it now. Very cool lyrics about demographics. 10/10
3. Home: Another single, the last. More introspective, quiter and more personal. Still excellent. 9.5/10
4. Sweet Rosalyn: A little dip. Cool guitar, but sounds like it'd be played at a folk bar. 9/10
5. If It Makes You Happy: The first song I ever heard by Sheryl. First single. I love it. It took my nine years to really analyze the message which is deep. Always have loved the guitar. 10/10
6. Redemption Day: Most of my fellow Sheryl fans love this, but i cant get in to it. Like the guitar some what & another song w/ a deep message. 7.5/10
7. Hard to Make a Stand: Very short, simple song. Pretty cool third single. 8.5/10
8. Everyday is A Winding Road: Second single. Another winner! Excelent guitar & fun lyrics. 9.5/10
9. Love is a Good Thing: This song got the album banned from Wal-Mart due to a certain lyric in the beginning. Just listened to this and I now thin its's the best song on here. 10/10
10. Oh Marie: Another deep song about a friend of the narrator's being an emotional train wreck. Very simple melody, hoever. 8.5/10
11. Superstar: Very fun. Can get a little loud though. 9/10
12. The Book: EXCELLENT. Cool lyrics, cool guitar. 10/10
13. Ordinary Morning: Sheryl ends alt of her albums w/ songs about depression or other sad topics. This one's good. 9.5/10
Overall: 120.5/130=9/10
Enjoy this album!

A girl from small town Missouri turns tunes hiply cool. Usually sophomore efforts become aborted lackluster attempts at chasing the rainbow of initial success on the heels of a hit debut. Not so here. Sheryl Crow goes deep, goes catchy, goes controversial, but most importantly goes above it all in this her most engaging work.

Sheryl Crow doesn't have a strong voice, but she does have a rich voice. It appears coyly smoky at times, flippantly hip at others, profoundly bluesy, but is not in its element scaling to vocal heights. Where it was weak on "Tuesday Night Music Club", the arrangements on "Sheryl Crow" make it a perfect match to the raw crunch of guitars. Perhaps one of her greater strengths is her ability to write, what has the potential to be "corny" lyrics, into little linguistic pictures of the life of the downtrodden and hopelessly modish-chasing style-set always falling short. From "A Change", "Ten years living in a paper bag feedback baby, he's a flipped out cat. He's a platinum canary drinkin' falstaff beer, Mercedes rule, and a rented lear." Too cool.

The strongest song is the protest song in minor with the chorus appearing in bluegrass gospel "Redemption Days". It's Crow's highlight to date. "It's buried in the countryside, exploding in the shells of night. It's everywhere a baby cries...Freedom." That's what I'm talking about. This is Crow's best work...don't miss out on it.