Customer Reviews

This Is Me

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

 

 

I've been thinking about this review since I bought the CD three months ago, debating internally exactly what's wrong with the newest album from my favorite group. I have been in love with EFO's wit, music, Julie's voice, and the harmonies for the past 6 years, ever since "Looking Out the Fishbowl", and have purchased each album immediately after its release.

This album is a car wreck, thanks to the interference of Lloyd Maines, the "big name" country producer. Somehow he managed to take a band that normally blazes with energy sound bored. Most of the songs make it sound like they're just not having fun with this album, and by extension, neither did I. It's obvious he didn't listen to what made earlier albums special, as there is a dearth of EFO's trademark harmonies. On top of that, Maines "contributed" instrumentation (mostly extraneous steel guitar) on almost all the tracks, all focused on countrifying this album.

EFO's soul briefly comes to life on track 6, "Fly" (coincidentally one of the few tracks where Lloyd is nowhere to be found), which showcases Robbie's wit with lyrics in a poignant, upbeat song, similar to "One Thousand Sarahs" on their last album.

Overall, I'm really disappointed, and pray that EFO will think twice before going all country with a bigshot producer while sacrificing their uniqueness for marketability. I still give them 3 stars because this is EFO, after all, and their worst effort is better than most of what's on the market today.

Another great albumn from EFO-- it is a bit more country than some, but
really IMO with Lloyd Maines producing, a little bit more 'smoothed out pop.' I think the first couple songs are the weakest (though they're growing on me some); but overall still very clever, very fine singing by
Julie Murphy-Wells (boy, is she ever underrated IMO!) and the guys. I think Robbie Schaefer's songs better here than some recent albums.
I can't quite give it 5 stars-- wish they had 4.5 :). Fine effort though.

As a true EFO fan, I got this CD the day it came out and could not be more pleased with it. It's an amazing mix of EFO humor and fantastic music! I love all the songs but my favorites would have to be Independence Indiana, Adios Lorena, and The Bird. From the moment you hear this CD, you will love it!

I am ecstatic to report that EFO has outdone themselves once again with this album. It is musically flawless, smart, funny, moving, and sophisticated. This will stay in my cd player for a long, long time! Every song is wonderful...be sure to catch Alone, as it combines classic EFO humor with a knockout performance by lead singer Julie Murphy Wells. Also, This Is Me, And The Rain Crashed Down, and Stay are not to be missed. BUY THIS ALBUM! You will be glad you did.

I was fortunate enough to be at the CD release concert for this album last night at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA last night, EfO's home turf. They performed pretty much all the songs on the CD (only leaving out "No Pain, No Problem) with some of the older songs sprinkled throughout.

And even after hearing all the songs, we still played the CD in the car on the way home.

If you're a fan of EfO already, you probably own this CD already. If you're new to the band, either this CD or any of their two live CD's (Portable EfO Show and Three Rooms) would be a good place to start. Or, better yet, get all three.

There is not one weak song on the entire CD. Standouts include "When the Rain Crashed Down," "Baltimore," the title track, "Walk Humbly, Son" and really, the rest of the album.

I am not one to give out 5 stars lightly. But EFO has been my greatest "discovery" in a long time. I'm thinking: 'Donna the Buffalo' (DTB), but much less amplified. Based in solid acoustic settings Eddie can nevertheless plug in on occasion with similar success. Solid playing; solid vocals; great hooks - what's not to like? Now I've got to check out the rest of their repertoire!

As great as this and their other CD's are, you can't fully appreciate EFO until you see them in person. Buy this CD and go see them in concert. You'll be an Edhead too.

I've listened to EFOs work for years now and eagerly awaited their latest studio album, This Is Me.
While I'm enjoying it, I found it to be a little less sharp in the humor and a little too "country" than previous works. More steel guitar than I usually handle in one sitting...
All-in-all though, it's still in my CD player!

Close, complex harmonies are only one of many good things about this album. You also have lyrics that make you think, take you back, and/or make you cry.

EFO creates a refreshing effort in an age of increasingly soulless, pointless, repetitive music...anyone else note that "pop" songs have, at best, two stanzas and a multitude of repeats of the refrain?

Now, if only EFO could come to Indiana!

These guys should be household names. They call themselves a Folk band, but that's not a real accurate description of their music. It's likely just the musical label that has payed them enough to sustain themselves as a band.

They are amazing performers and I would recomend seeing them LIVE to everyone. They will make you a fan.

They are extremely witty, ala Barenaked Ladies and passionate and soulful. The songs on this album are solid and even beautiful. "Baltimore" is a signature song for Julie Murphy Wells and could be a hit on either Country or Adult contemporary radio. Clear and Present Danger is a Country Hit...if it could ever get on radio. "Fly" is my favorite song on this album and takes me back to when I was a grade school super hero with super powers.

Perhaps the biggest thing holding these guys back from monster success is the fact that Radio and the music biz can not figure out how to pigeon-hole them into a genre. They defy categorization...just call it "good".

I have heard all of their albums and they progressively keep getting better. There is no risk of being disapointed with buying "This Is Me." It will be hard to remove it from your CD player.