Customer Reviews

No Stranger to Shame (Clean)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Uncle Kracker's debut LP Double Wide was unlike anything else that had come before, but it had the misfortune of containing a hit single that was wholly unlike almost anything else on the album ("Follow Me"). A lot of people bought it expecting a country album, but were unable to enjoy the rap / blues / country / southern rock hybrid that the rest of the album contained. Still, it had a sound that was brilliant, and a great vibe that flowed through from start to finish.

This time, Uncle Kracker has decided to adopt a more straightforward, radio hit friendly approach. Rap is almost absent, only present on three songs, and the emphasis is placed on just writing good, fun pop tunes. I don't consider this selling out, since the rap dominance of the debut was probably due at least in part to Kid Rock's extensive co-writing credits. On this album, Kracker is merely trying to get out from under Kid Rock's shadow, and get attention for his own style. On the plus side, there are more individual songs that stand out this time around, as opposed to the original, where much of the second half of Double Wide blended together and coasted on a good vibe. Thankfully, Kracker hasn't gone completely Sugar Ray on us (despite that band's singer making a negligible guest appearance on the title track), since he jumps back and forth from country, to blues, to funk, and to simple radio friendly pop tracks.

Standouts include the oughta-be huge single "In A Little While", which takes the standard "summer song" sound, ala LFO and Sugar Ray, and finally does it right, with a surprisingly emotional chorus. "To Think I Used To Love You" is a straight-up country song, which is really catchy, and avoids the typical country sappiness (unfortunately, "Letter To My Daughters" does not, but it's a pretty song anyway). The cover of "Drift Away" accomplishes little that the original didn't, but it's one of my favorite songs anyway, and since it fits here, I'm always glad to hear it again. "Memphis Soul Song" is the ballad that should have been a hit instead of "Follow Me". It's lyrically rich, and a beautiful song in general. And "Baby Don't Cry" is a powerful blues wail about moving on from a bad relationship.

If there's a shortcoming with this album, it's that it lacks the quality that has made all Kid Rock / Twisted Brown Trucker related albums up to this point favorites of mine, and that is the fusion of disparate musical elements into a new sound. There are a lot of influences here, but each song can be easily labelled "Pop song", "Country Song", "Funk Song", etc. The only times that the classic TBT fusion is allowed to return are in the three rap numbers, the best of which is "Keep It Comin'", a great tune with a riff that rocks harder than almost anything on Double Wide. Overall, this is a solid follow up to a great debut album, and if it's less original or interesting, it will at least be a lot easier for people to digest, and there's something to be said for that too.

As a 43 year old mother of 3, I feel a little old to like this guy so much. He is so talented though, my whole family has liked his singles. Unfortunetly though, I bought this cd based on the singles that I had heard and even though I saw the "parental warning" I had no idea about the hidden soundtrack. I was so excited to buy this cd . I listened to it twice and really liked most of the songs, even the first rap song was o.k. although not my favorite. Because of the time lapse on the last track (and the fact that the cover didn't mention it unless you read the small print) I totally missed this last song. My teenage son was the one to find it and point it out to me. He is so great on most of his songs, I wish he would leave the explicit words out. Otherwise I will continue to follow his work, he has a lot to offer.

I am 10 years old and my Dad and I both love this CD all the way through. Uncle K's version of Drift Away makes my Dad sing too loud. My highlights of the CD are Drift Away, In a Little While, Letter to my Daughters and No Stranger to Shame, but the entire CD is wonderful!!

Like most people here, I got this CD for Drift Away, which is a fantastic cover. The other songs on here aren't bad, either. Uncle Kracker is a much better singer than one would expect from his Kid Rock roots. i even ike his rap/rock combo style. That's a big compliment considering I am not a fan of most rap music. The only draeback is the hidden track. It was vulgar apparently just for the sake of being vulgar. It kept this thing from geting five stars. I don't see wh Uncle Kracker feels the need to put such tracks on his CDs to earn his stripes. His vocal talents are more than enough to sell CDs without a parental advisory sticker to attract attention.

This cd ROCKS!!!!! My favorite song is Drift Away. If you like Kid Rock, get Double Wide. If you just like Uncle Kracker, definately get this cd!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly, what happened on this cd. It is nothing like double wide. The majority of the songs are country pop songs, with the exception of only three.

The first song is "Keep it Comin'" This wouldn't have been a bad start to Double Wide, but it is misleading on this CD. But it still an awesome song. 5/5

The second song is "Thunderhead Hawkins". It wasn't a bad song, but it wasn't a good song either, and I just didn't like it. 2/5

The third song was "In A Little While". It was pretty big on the radio and for a reason, it was a good song. Unfortunantley, it wasn't the only one like it so it doesn't stand out on the CD for long. 4/5

Fourth we have "I Wish I Had A Dollar". This song is easy to listen to and it is a good song, and it never gets old. 4/5

I think most people know what this song is. The fith song on the Cd is "Drift Away". I really don't knoe how this was such a big hit. The chorus was good, but the rest was only okay. 3/5

Song six is "Baby Don't Cry". Good song, but it went on too long and it gets old after a while. 3/5

Song Seven is "I Do". Great song, great beat, and I think is better than Drift away and should have been a singe. 4/5

The eighth song is "Memphis Soul Song". This is the second best song on the whole Cd, only behind the bonus song. 5/5

The 9th song is "I don't Know". This song sounds a lot like a country song, and it takes a while to get good, but... 4/5

Song number ten is "To think I used to love you". There is no doubt in my mind this is a country song. It really is too diffrent from even this CD. 3/5

The eleventh song is "Letter to my Daughters". I personally don't like this song, but it is a really good song from the heart. 3/5

"No Stranger TO Shame" is the eleventh song on the CD, and it is also the name of the CD, and it deserves it. It isn't the best song on the CD, but it goes back to rap with the singing catchy chorus. 5/5

The bonus song, "After School Special" is my second favorite Uncle Kracker CD ever. It is a tight rap song that really should have just been in the middle of the CD instead of the end as a bonus song. Perfect 5/5


Overall the CD is probably 3 1/2 stars, but it is still no Double Wide

I only got this cd because of Drift Away, but ended up generally enjoying this entire album. Kracker's rap songs are all right, but its better when he combines both rapping and singing, such as in No Stranger to Shame (track). The "hidden" track was pretty stupid. Seems like he only did this to attract those who wouldn't buy it unless is had a perental advisory warning. I don't mind dirty cds but why take a clean album and turn it dirty just for one stupid track.

this is a great cd it is fun and enjoyable to listen to. the best songs on this cd are

Tracks

1. Keep It comin'
5. Drift Away
12. No Stranger To Shame

if you have not listened to this cd then i recommend you do

This was my first purchase through Amazon and I will continue to use them. It was quick and easy and I received my purchase very quickly.

This is my favorite Uncle Kracker CD that is available. it has many great songs on it like Drift Away, In a Little While, Memphis Soul Song, and several others. Its a very good album and well worth the price. I think I got it used for just 15 cents. It's a lot slower and Melodic compared to his previous CD, "Double Wide" which has the song, "Follow Me" on it. (The double wide CD has a strong resemblance to music made by Kid Rock)