Underneath

David Wilcox

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B00000I0FH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,254 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Though based in North Carolina, David Wilcox shares much with the New England folk mafia of John Gorka and Dar Williams. His seventh album pursues the quasi-spiritualist and anticonsumerist homilies of his previous work, without extending his artistic range much beyond some gussied-up rock arrangements and the failed trip-folk of "Sex and Music." Wilcox is at his best with romantic ballads such as "Home Within Your Heart," with its plain-spoken opening, "Too tired to sleep, too angry to pray / Too far down to get back up, too lost to find my way." But the fatal flaw here lies in the tone: Wilcox's social commentary grows preachy and cloyingly earnest, undercutting his melodic sophistication and tasteful acoustic arrangements. Fans of Wilcox will likely love this consistent, true-to-folk effort, but ultimately Wilcox is singing to the choir. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Old Genius in New Clothes, July 12, 1999

By A Customer

After Turning Point, I was greatly worried that David was getting away from plumbing the depths of his experience as Soul in this wild world, and starting to become predictably "sensitive" or folky. I liked some of the album, but I missed the perfectly crafted gems on his early recordings, and felt he hadn't found a good style with which to replace them.

My first spin of Underneath relieved all my fears. The second meanings have gone back to being sly and tricky, and the emotion is raw and honest again (though not as innocent as in days of old -- and who is?).

The instrumentation is not as grungy as on Turning Point (for which I'm glad) but features more energy and expansiveness than most of his older material. His voice sounds as gorgeous as ever.

The David I knew and loved is back, though he's changed and grown older. His beautiful new recording makes me willing to forget the old days, open my ears and heart, and grow with him.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Real Meaning is "Underneath", March 2, 1999

By	Dave Friedli ([e-mail]) (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

The downfall of any of David Wilcox's studio albums is that they can in no way capture the essence and energy of Wilcox in concert. Only 'East Asheville Hardware (Live)' comes close, and by the artist's own admission, those songs are the one which don't fit the typical album effort.

'Underneath' is a return to what makes Wilcox great, however...a depth of lyric which challenges and defies the listener to capture the full meaning. Obviously, Wilcox means "Sex and Music" to be the explanation that he has given up trying to please the masses and instead will follow his musical heart. The words of advice Hamlet received might be most appropriate to Wilcox's latest effort: "To thine own self be true."

If Wilcox threw in a few overt references to God, this might be a best seller in the Contemporary Christian marketplace. As it is, the Wilcox's Quaker influence isn't front-and-center enough for the religious and sounds preachy to the secular. "Down Here" could be the plight of everyman who seeks to find eternal redemption in a better place. Or, it may be that only through our friends can we find redemption 'down here'.

Songs with the depth of "Spirit Wind" demand full attention, perhaps in a secluded place with headphones. Don't expect to be entertained by these songs which require full attention and some dedication to personal interpretation in order to understand and appreciate them. But then again, very few gold nuggets are ever found on top of the ground in broad daylight. That kind of treasure must be excavated.

If you are after unbelievable accoustic riffs and lyrics which keep you awake at night pondering their depth of meaning, 'Underneath' will fill the bill nicely.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Going back to what works, April 23, 2000

By	Tim Drake "Author and Journalist" (Saint Joseph, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After a departure with his album, Turning Point, David Wilcox has gone back to what works - simple guitar melodies, meaningful storytelling lyrics, and the background vocals of Jennifer Kimball.

Wilcox offers an intelligent alternative to what is offered by pop music's Top 40. If you're a Wilcox fan you will appreciate this album. It's reminiscent of David's earlier work. I can tell this one will become one of my favorites along with "How Did You Find Me Here?"

Do yourself a favor. Purchase this album.