Customer Reviews

Turning Point

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

 

 

At first, Turning Point was not my favorite, and its still probably my least favorite Wilcox CD. But I've kept listening, and its been growing on me. The sound is less acoustic than I typically like. But the way I see it, Dave has earned the right to experiment, and I trust him with music more than almost anyone else. I would agree that this should not be someone's first Wilcox experience, or even second or third. But once you feel that you're ready, you better hold on. Dave weaves some pretty complex lyrics into the new sound that will have you baffled for about the first ten times through. And then he will start to blow you away in typical Wilcox fashion. So don't worry; this is still the same Wilcox, just from a different angle.

Admittedly, this is a somewhat different sort of CD by David Wilcox - a bit more plugged in. But it works well with those particular songs. However, in other ways, this is pure David - in fact, some of his best: for example - Tattered Old Kite, Secret Church and Turning Point - border on exquisite; not to mention Western Ridge, Kindness, Waffle House, Glory, etc... All in all, there is not one song to throw away, though there are one's I enjoy more than others. While I am tempted to give it 5 stars that would mean it is the same as Big Horizon (my personal fav), Home Again (2nd fav?) and HDYFMH. Easily though it is 4 1/2 stars.
One of its strong points is its melodic composition; something which is lacking in Underneath (least listened to DW cd) and to a lesser degree in Into the Mystery. Meaningful lyrics are great, but if there's not a detectable and memorable tune - why bother? (Listening to GLightfoot certainly spoils you in that respect). If you haven't bought this one because of only 3 stars, wait no longer. This is one that will grow on you and it contains some of David's best songs.

At first, it seemed a brilliant move to team the folk introspection of David Wilcox with the alt-rock attitude of Ric Hordinski (formerly of Over the Rhine). Unfortunately, Wilcox never completely sells on the rock numbers (stop holding back, man!), and Hordinski stumbles ever so slightly in his production of the slower acoustic numbers.

Skipping the rock-experiment duds, the ballads on this album match or surpass anything else Wilcox has done. The pairing of "Secret Church" and "Turning Point" at the end of the album is breathtakingly beautiful.

I would agree with some that this is not the best place to start for an intruduction to the artist, but neither do I think this album should be passed over because it experiments with non-traditional folk-rock production. You could do worse these days.

I have all of Dave's stuff and have seen him many times live. This was a serious disappointment. His voice is much more suited to an acoustic treatment -- this electric guitar and harsh arrangements of this album overpower him. One of my very favorite songs, Your Kindness, is a particular letdown. Live, it is warm, intimate and special. Here, the poor quality of the recording distracts from the beauty of the song. Sorry, Dave. There are some high points (Waffle House, for example), but overall this album is not memorable. I still look forward to his next one though. Dave is one of the best singer/songwriters around.

Listening to this album you might be tempted to ask whether this is the same David Wilcox of "How Did You Find Me Here?" Gone are the simpler folk melodies and sounds, replaced by a heavier, harder sound. Once you're past that, however, you realize that the depth of the songwriting is the same and the insightfulness of the lyrics are still on target.

The album seems to deal with a couple of themes. First is Wilcox's leaving the mainstream music industry following the "Big Horizon" project. Hidden in metaphors, Wilcox calls into question the artistic integrity of the music industry on songs like "Spin" and "Human Cannonball". Second is a struggle with the institutional aspects of faith and religion. Finally, there are a couple of songs that continue Wilcox's dialogue about relationships, love and loss.

A final gem can be found in the quirky tune, Waffle House. If you've ever had the chance to spend some late night time in the yellow box, you will instantly recognize the characters and experiences Dave populates the song with.

If you're looking for Dave's folk side you'll want to be careful with this album but if you'd like to hear Dave outside his own box doing some expirementation, pick up this album.

There are some decent songs here if you can make them out from under the overproduced mess that overshawdows the whole album. If you are looking for an introduction to Wilcox, stick with "How Did You Find Me HEre" or "Home Again."

Generally, I'm a BIG fan of David Wilcox's. The official Amazon review suggests that David's lyrics and playing are inferior to James Taylor's, but the truth is strongly opposite that review. David Wilcox's lyrics are generally EXTREMELY thoughtful and inspiring, grounded on good psychology, and often funny. By comparison, Taylor's are simplistic, cryptic, and general pop fluff.

HOWEVER, this particular CD shows a disturbing infusion of RELIGION. In Wilcox's previous work, he's almost always steered well clear of pushing his religion at people. (Thank you for that, David.)

In "Turning Point", he dives into religion at least 3 times. There's "secret prayer" which seems to belittle others' religion. There's "Secret Church" which pushes David's idea of religion. And, there's a song where David chooses to say "the age at which Christ died", although the song's not about religion.

So let this be a warnign sign that THIS CD and possibly the next, if this is David's new direction for the future, will have a bit of nose-in-the-air religion.

When you have a backyard barbecue, you don't invite the guy who can't stop talking about HIS religion to the exclusion of all else. David Wilcox, until now, has been the ideal party guest: considerate of our feelings, clever, witty, and warm. With "Turning Point", he seems to be turning into the party guest from Hell.