Customer Reviews

Tough Love

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

After recovering from a near death auto accident, Ed is back and has written an album that blows away anything else he has written. If you like the first album, this is the best he has written and very different. Ed uses his mastery of the guitar in his songs to show what talent he portrays. If you get a chance.... see him live!!!

Like Dan Bern, Ed Hamell is an artist whom must be seen live to be truly appreciated. He beats the hell out of his acoustic guitar and turns a folk show into a gritty, foot stomping rock show...BUT... when this raw energy is channelled through tracks in the studio some important elements get lost in the mix. The spontaneity, the surprise humor, the EDGE- to name a few.

There are some songs good songs on this record: "Don't Kill," and " Halfway" being the strongest, and- ironically- the first two tracks of the record. And "When Destiny Calls" ( track #3)- whose unique approach to sing/speak style would be worthy of much praise, had it not been done first by Lou Reed a long time ago. I'll point out one more example of how Hamell wears his influences on his sleeve the song "First Date" sounds like Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have you ever seen the Rain," with some of Bob Dylan's harmonica's thrown in for good measure.

I really wanted to love this record because I was blown away by his live performance when opening for Ani Difranco, so maybe I'm a bit overly critical because I've seen what this man can do. I know that he has a live album out ("Hamell Comes Alive"...again with the influences... do I even have to point out that the title is borrowed from Peter Frampton's monumental hit "Frampton Comes Alive"???), and perhaps I will change my tune after hearing that record. Until then, buy this record because it is funny, and witty, and there's some kickass guitar playing going on ( plus, you've got Ani Difranco singing throughout, most notably on the duet "All That Was Said."), BUT if you really want to get a taste of Hamell on Trial, catch him in concert instead.

I never heard of this guy, and I thought to myself who is this I am going to have to put up with prior to the Ani concert in Santa Barbara, CA. Well let me tell you, this bald guy walked out on stage and ROCKED tha house with himself and and old steel string guitar! I was looking for the blood on his fingers. This guy plays hard and rocks hard. A very unique twangy voice too. I got the CD ever since and love it. Hamell has high musical value. Nuff said.

PS - Ani promotes him a lot. Love her taste in music.

The album doesn't quite reach the heights of the guy
performing live but that's an enormously high target to
set. Taken on its own it is still an excellent effort,
you'll love it all the more if are lucky enough to
you get a chance to see him live.

6 STARS!!!!!!!!!!
This CD sears with more brilliance than anything I've heard in a long, long while!
I should rant, but will leave that to the wordy.
Best of luck finding a copy!

I picked this up at one of Hamell's shows (straight from the man himself!) and it is a great CD. Short story- I was so wowed by Hamell live and CD that I burned some copies for friends to get them into Hamell. I saw Hamell about a year later and paid him $30 for one of his CDs. I told him about what I did as I felt guilty, but he said not to worry as I was spreading the word.

Very story driven, there are no bad songs on this CD (why, there is even a sing along!) You WILL love this cd.

Ed Hamell just might be the poet laureate of America, and America doesn't even know it yet. With the fastest right hand in rock and roll, Hamell blazes his way through rock, rap, country blues and rant with the ferocity of a hurricane. Tough Love is Hamell's first studio record since his near-fatal accident and the birth of his first child (Detroit Hamell - gotta love it), but all that humility and life-rewarding experience has sharpened his tool, not dulled it.
"Don't Kill", the leadoff track, sets the table as God chastises modern man for his violent ways ("What part of thou shalt not kill don't you understand...I thought I etched that in stone!"). Those who don't like rap songs might want to listen to a real master of the art on the title track and "When Destiny Calls", another classic road-crime epic. Yet Ed is equally adept with a feather touch - "All That Was Said" and "Hail" are as delicate and poignant as "There Is A God" is angry or "Dear Pete" is funny. With a backing band featured on most tracks, including tour mate and label boss Ani DiFranco, one might think Ed's going for the airwaves. No chance...although the infectious "Downs" and the hilarious "Halfway" would be slam-dunk hit records if they weren't about (ahem) sensitive issues like drug use and corporate sellouts (Creed fans might want to avoid this record). Yes, it's true that you have to see the man live to truly appreciate his talents; his lightning wit and impeccable comic timing only heighten the experience. But as studio records go, Tough Love is funny and thought-provoking and effin' brilliant from start to finish - one of 2003's few shining moments. As usual, most of America refuses to turn off their radio and serarch out true artistry. Their loss, not mine.