As The Crow Flies

Amos Lee | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B006M67H0C
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,770 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #90 in Music > Alternative Rock > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

The six-song collection of previously unheard songs, As The Crow Flies,
were recorded during the sessions for Lee's critically acclaimed album Mission
Bell, which was produced by Calexico frontman and multi-instrumentalist Joey
Burns. The tracks on As The Crow Flies are also produced by Burns and feature
musical backing by Burns and Calexico drummer John Convertino.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Mission Bell Lite February 15, 2012

By Rushmore TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

The six songs on this EP were part of the Mission Bell recording session. I love Mission Bell. The songs on As The Crow Flies sound like the first-time rejects.

I don't hate this record, but it is my least favorite from an artist I like and respect. In particular, this record suffers in comparison to Mission Bell. The music here is sometimes over-produced and generally does not have the level of intimacy or humanity I usually find from Amos Lee. On a couple of tracks his voice is downright querulous, not a good sound for him.

Reading down the track list of Mission Bell, I kept stopping and thinking, yeah, that's a great song. I don't feel that way about any of the songs here. If the next 6 albums each contained one of these songs, that would be a better solution to the problem of recorded and unreleased music. Hopefully the next album is a return to form.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mission Bell, part deux February 18, 2012

By Sailor1

Format:Audio CD

Nuggets that didn't make the Mission Bell release can be found on this EP. I would say the first track is the only one I have a hard time with, as it's quite the downer, but there are some lovely instrumentals. Simple Things is undeniably Amos, and the more you listen, the more you swear you've heard it from him in the past. If there were a pop hit song, it would be track #3, Say Goodbye, with it's upbeat melody - upbeat is not a frequent offering of Amos Lee! May I Remind You is good for slow dancing to, while the pace picks back up a bit for the nautical tune, Mama Sail to Me. The closer, There I Go Again, is a soulful, bluesy number complete with back-up gospel singers. If you're a fan, you'll want to add this to your collection. Short, but sweet.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars This is not a regular Amos album June 14, 2012

By J.L. TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

The first thing you should know is that this is an EP (or "extended play"), i.e., it contains more music than a single but is too short to qualify as a full studio album (or "LP"). It's basically a collection of songs that weren't good enough to make the cut for Mission Bell.

This is a hard album for me to rate. On the one hand, it is probably the lowest quality collection of songs Amos has released. They're not necessarily bad -- the songs are serviceable, they pass as music, and they're unlikely to offend anyone. But they're just as unlikely to inspire anyone. They are perfectly harmless. Pleasant background listening, is all.

On the other hand, I'm glad Amos released this EP, not just because it gives us more Amos but also because it means these songs didn't have to pollute Mission Bell. It means Amos is more selective about which songs he includes on his regular studio releases. I like that. Just don't be fooled into thinking that As The Crow Flies is regular Amos-quality stuff.