Customer Reviews

Wrapped in Sky

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

 

 

Drivin'n'Cryin made a play for arena rock stardom with their 1993 album "Smoke," and fell flat on their faces, ending up with the worst album of their careers. Fortunately, they then chucked the excessive guitar jamming and returned to their strengths for "Wrapped in Sky." Unfortunately, the album tanked commercially.

Nevertheless, "Wrapped" challenges 1991's "Fly Me Courageous" as D'n'C's best album. Sonically, it is also the most diverse, with elements of Latin music thrown in on "Seniorita Louise" and "Pura Vida," for example. But its the typically idiosyncratic songwriting that really puts the album over the top. "Right Side of Town" is perhaps the band's best ever ballad, while "Indian Song" is social commentary sands heavy-handedness. Other first rate songs include the midtempo tracks "Telling Stories" and "Saving Grace," as well as the excellent closing title track. Only "Underground Umbrella" sounds like an unfortunate outtake from the previous album.

Overall, an excellent final album from the band that kept the torch of Southern rock burning in the 1980s and 90s.

"Back from the hinterlands" of spandex rock, dnc delivers the goods on this under-appreciated 1995 album. Produced by ex-Smiths' knob-twister John Porter, dnc largely avoids balls-to-the-wall, Marshall-at-11 crunch on this record. While they erred on the side of caution here, sometimes allowing a flatness to creep onto the tape, this is one of Kevn Kinney and his mates' strongest collection of songs. The folk/psychedelia of "Wrapped in Sky" showcases such standouts as "(covered by an) Underground Umbrella," "Indian Song," "Telling Stories," and the title track. Mostly about growing up, and mostly revealing Kinney's Patti Smith influence at its height, "Wrapped in Sky" was shamefully under-promoted by Geffen and failed to capture the public's ear. If you like laid-back, psychedelic folk-rock, however, you will like this record.

i hate to give this five stars, because it isn't perfect, but i like it more than four stars, so there you go. i believe it's the band's most successful album by far. and a surprisingly experimental and emotionally comfortable record at that. "right side of town" may be my favorite drivin' n cryin' song of all, and the experimental "underground umbrella"--as strange as it is--works surprisingly well.

This is, quite simply, the most beautiful album of a decade not known for beautiful music. Drivin' N' Cryin' by now knows the score, and they are not bitter. They sound grateful here. Grateful for life, liberty and time in the recording studio. Not a wasted moment on this CD. Every song shows the development of Kinney's songwriting and the group's understanding of the power of the material. It would be unfair to point out a single song on this collection, as it breathes as one cohesive unit. This album is alive with a rainbow of characters, situations and emotions. Kids: you wanna grow up to be a good person? Get this album.

Although this album focuses on the more folksy side of d-n-c I believe it is their best album to date. Songs such as "Telling Stories","Underground Umbrella", and "Right Side of Town" are classic d-n-c. Purchase this c.d. and you will thank me later.

I got this CD off the 1.99 rack. What a bargain! DNC have always been pretty much unknown and I have to admit I only discovered them myself last year when I purchased this CD. Wrapped in Sky is pretty mellow, good for listening to as background music while you're busy doing something else. Most of the songs don't stand out by themselves, but as a comprehensive collection are pretty impressive. The comical Senorita Louise (is insane) is my personal favorite.

I am a big fan of DNC and I've listened to all their material. This album was a let down to me. The 'Fly Me Courageous' album was great. It rocked hard but it still found them rooted to their influences: bluegrass, country, blues, pschydelia. However, some of the earlier fans felt betrayed thinking the band was going to sell out to arena rock. I don't believe they sold out because the the next album 'Smoke' was less commercial but a continuation of this brilliant sound they were developing. I think they were experimenting musically and trying to reach a broader audience. The Smoke album is a beautiful piece of work. From the packaging to the music, it is a haunting look at lost Americana. I looked foward to the next album, 'Wrapped In Sky', but I was dissapointed when I listened to it. They changed labels, lead guitarist, and singer/writer Kevin Kinney tried to appease the earlier fans. This album putts along at a mediocre pace - it really bores me. It doesn't pack a punch like their previous works. Buy 'Fly Me Courageous', 'Smoke', and 'Essential Drivin and Cryin Live'. Kevin Kinney's S.T.A.R. (Star Tangled Angel Revival) has some brilliant moments too, but it's not as good as DNC. I'll say the same about his solo works as well. DNC is a hard act to beat - one of my all time faves.

I was looking up the worst LP's I ever heard just for fun. I can't believe how many of the LP's get high ratings. Only about 1 percent of the CD's get a 1 rating from me, this one got a 1 which is to say it was hard to listen to the hole thing. I like the band but this was just bad.