Customer Reviews

Welcome to My Century

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When I saw Bob Hillman open for Suzanne Vega, he was just another opening act. I bought this CD that night, and now his songs have become part of my life. With the lyrical flair of Sting mixed with power-pop arrangements that remind me of the Gin Blossoms or the Wallflowers, Hillman's music has what it takes to make it. While most of the songs deal with your typical pop song topics - love, loss - he tweaks them in unique ways. You've got respect a song writer who compares his lover's coldness with ice caps of Greenland or who explains an unexpected love encounter as if it were a plot in a Tolstoy novel. 'Games,' 'Anywhere', and the title track are all strong pieces. This guy should be famous. Why isn't he?

bob hillman returns with welcome to my century. this is bob's second effort and it rocks. bolted down brings down the house every time he plays it live. and ask him how he came up with the lyrics for greenland. his answer is why he is a great songwriter. he is clever, synical, sarcastic, sincere, honest. hillman is a true musical artist who doesn't sacrifice his attitude or belief for the big time. although given the chance, he may think about it.

Bob Hillman's "Welcome To My Century" reminds us that not much has changed from one generation to the next, Tolstoy's themes hold:
"Like epic poetry, old folk songs
Gargantuan themes, impossibly long
War and peace and right and wrong."

But you don't have to read Russian novels to recognize a great writer when you hear one. That Hillman writes songs gives the genre a much appreciated and welcomed taste of genius. He writes of ordinary fears (going bald) and self consciousness (asking a movie star for and autograph). He writes about addictions and rock & roll stars (wanna be's & has beens), a girl from Iowa, an alcoholic dad.Ordinary themes, heart breakingly strong. Musically, it all fits, from his smoky rugged voice to the haunting acoustic guitar strings.

I love this album; have played it over & over again; one of those perfect soundtracks that resonate with where I currently find myself. Don't miss Bob Hillman! If you do, "too bad for you"!

I highly recommend "Welcome To My Century". Mr. Hillman is part of the New York folk scene that includes such artists as Jack Hardy and Suzanne Vega. While he has not gotten as much press as his peers, his music is great. What sets his music style apart from his serious pop/folk peers today is his use of both large doses of humor and charming self-deprecation in his songs. This low-key attitude is especially endearing when compared to his "movie star" looks.

In a song such as "Greenland", you will find him traveling to the icy North in this humorous tune that spins several factoids about the country while slyly commenting on a failed relationship. Download the song for yourself and see. On the opposite end of the spectrum is his critique of "Las Vegas" which laments the artificial nature of casinos and comments on the odd cast of characters you might find there. What you will find in all of his songs is an intelligent point of view combined with a kick[ing] melody. He is really fun to listen to -if you have a stressful commute you must consider playing his music as a welcome stress-buster! Do yourself a favor and buy this album. If you enjoy it as much as I did, check out his first effort: "Playing God".

Every track on the album is a gem, poetic and very insightful. It is one of my favorites so far in the century, so perhaps the title may foretell that Bob Hillman will, in fact, be a major artist of the age, whether or not ever being well-known. "Las Vegas," "Greenland," and "Too Bad for You" are wonderfully intelligent and ironic with many different layers of meaning. "Tolstoy" proves that music about intellectual topics can be upbeat and serious at the same time. Also on the record are beautiful songs such as "The Latenight" and "Secret Masterpieces," which could have been written by Jackson Browne or Neil Young during their tender moments. This is a must-have for serious fans of folk/alternative music.