Tough Love

Hamell on Trial | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 26, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Righteous Babe
• ASIN: B0000AGWJV
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,203 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The London Times, June 11, 2003

"...with an explosive strumming style and well-defined sense of the absurd."

Product Description

Wielding his acoustic guitar like a machine gun and tossing words and ideas around like grenades, Hamell on Trial is a high-intensity performer who writes and sings about sex, love, politics, near-death experiences, God, drug dealers, road trips, and just about anything else that enters his brain. On his latest album, Ed Hamell captures the frenetic energy of his live act in a carefully crafted recording which also stands on its own. The result is an excellent introduction to an artist whose work defies easy categorization.

This time around, Hamell's primarily solo act is fleshed out with guest appearances by Ani DiFranco (whose voice and guitar are featured throughout, most notably on the duet "All That Was Said"), Gary Lucas (Captain Beefheart, Jeff Buckley), Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers), and Jonathan Kane (Swans). He's also got behind-the-scenes help from the likes of veterans John Leckie (Radiohead, John Lennon, George Harrison), Phil Nicolo (The Rolling Stones, Cypress Hill, Sly and Robbie), Ani D, and Andrew "Goat" Gilchrist (Drums & Tuba) as producers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Criminally Underated, January 10, 2004

By 

A guy from Philly (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tough Love (Audio CD)

Ever since Mr. Hamell found his voice on his major-label debut, Big as Life (out of print by the way) he has produced some of the most uncompromising, creative, funny, moving, rockin' music anywhere. So why am I still buying his records from Hamell's suitcase after the show? Why isn't this record on every critic's top-10? This guy should be huge by now.
Do your part. Buy this album - some people call it his best.
Ed Hamell survived near death after crashing his VW on the PA turnpike driving through the night with nobody by his side but his old guitar, just to bring his music to you. Buy this CD. While you're at it, buy the other two that are in print. Then go knock on the door of Mercury records and demand that they release the rights to Ed's other albums so you can buy those two. And if Hamell on Trial comes to your town, get your butt to the show.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Tough Love" is an Easy Favorite, March 30, 2004

By 

Jocko (Hannibal, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tough Love (Audio CD)

I warn you, this review may be a bit biased seeing as that Hamell happens to be my uncle, but in my opinion, Tough Love is some of Hamell's best work yet. Although nothing can compare to his live performances, this album comes close. Each song is a story in its self. Not one track on this album is half-assed, which you can tell simply by listening to it.

"Don't Kill"
- Song from God's point of view about the modern world he sees. A great kick-off to the album and a track with as much meaning as energy. (...)

"Halfway"
- A song targeting everyone from sell-outs, current "sex-symbols", egotistical artists, George Dubbya, and even Hamell himself. Not to mention a humorous chorus (...)

"When Destiny Calls"
- More a rhyming story than song, Hamell talks about a man on the run with a stripper after taking a mob boss's car filled with cocaine. Features the voices of his wife, Linda, and newborn son, Detroit. (...)

"Hail"
- A change of pace. Hail is a slower, lighter song about three hate-crime victims, Tina Brandon, Brian Denake(sp?), and Matthew Shepherd(sp?), meeting in heaven for coffee. Great song. (...)

"95 South"
- A beat that catches your attention and the lyrics to keep it. Featuring Ani D. as backup vocals. (...)

"Downs"
- A true story about a near fatal car accident Hamell suffered and how he became addicted to the pain medication. If that don't keep you, the tune will. Have to say, though, I like the line "Stiff upper lip when they got you on the drip." (...)

"All That Was Said"
- Duet with Ani D. Very nice song. (...)

"A Little Concerned, That's All"
- A song where Hamell sings about that when he looks at the events of the world, it seems as if God doesn't seem to be paying attention or even hiding from it all. Another classic. (...)

"Everything and Nothing"
- Obviously targeted towards his wife, Hamell praises her and hooks you with a catchy beat that will stick with you for hours. (...)

"Tough Love"
- Another song/short story about Bonnie and Clyde-type couple on the run after the husband kills his boss. "Had to take a loss, I put two holes in my boss, I guess I gave my notice that way." Guess he gets no retirement benefits. (...)

"Dear Pete"
- A humorous song about a desperate criminal in need of a friend's assistance on his next job. Funny. (...)

"There Is A God"
- A verbal attack on all those who lie and harm others. Even a not-so subliminal attack on Bush. (...)

"First Date"
- Two people meet online, decide to meet, and the man gets wasted before he even meets her. Funny lyrics. (...)

"Worry Wart"
- A song about up-tight America worrying about every-damn-thing. Good point, but not one of his best. (...)

"Oughta Go Around"
- Catchy tune. Not quite sure what it's about, though. (...)

"Detroit Lullaby"
- A short song written about his newborn son, Detroit. Not very good if you don't know what it's about, so I won't rate it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, August 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Tough Love (Audio CD)

Ed Hamell is not on MTV or the radio because the powers that be know he would destroy all of their billion dollar babyface carbon copy superstars forever. He's the real thing. Somewhere between punk and folk lies Hamell on Trial, and this latest collection is like those before it, better than anything you'll see on tomorrow night's MTV Video Music Awards. Buy this one, and then go get his other records...Ebay is a good sorce for the two that are out of print. Enjoy.