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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Less is more - More power and poise and a little less prozac, August 19, 2001
Canada’s very own Cowboy Junkies have done it again, but not the same again. The first thing that struck me about this album is a seemingly deliberate yet brave choice taken by the CJs, that is, not going for easy options in terms of accessibility, commerciality and immediate appeal. There’s ten tracks in all, the first five tracks on Open are not the easiest of songs to open up to, especially if you are not prepared for them – tracks 6 thru 10 are somewhat easier for people familiar with recent Cowboy Junkies work. Needless to say, after a few listening one of my favorite tracks turns out to be “bread and wine”. 1. i did it all for you – controlled electric guitar feedback, subdued bass, cool pacific coast cymbals, that voice .. oops! Did I put the born-again Velvet Underground/Nico CD on by mistake? Nope, this is the start of the latest CD by the Cowboy Junkies. This is a truly hypnotic track that grows on you the more you listen to it, of particularly note is the use of percussion and the subtle yet moody interwoven guitar work 2. dragging hooks – Another innovative introduction, another set of curiously lyrics and a careful arrangement – this is Quentin Tarantino in music! 3. bread and wine – this must be one of my favorite tracks on the album, I love it, it reminds me of so many great things, like the first time I heard Patti Smiths’ Horses, or great summer rock concerts in the 70’s, and that special Hammond sound combined with Margots vocals that just takes me away to another plane 4. upon still waters – this is dynamic as dynamic can get in this context. More beautiful instrument work combined with great vocals that show how Margot’s skill as a vocalist has achieved greater depth as well as breadth 5. dark hole again – for me this track is sort of bridge between the more experimental use of instrumentation and the vocals of Margot Timmins – but would still not be out of place in a movie like From Dusk To Dawn 6. thousand year prayer – this is a beautifully exquisite song with a style that tales me back to the days of Joni Mitchell, Helen Reddy and Carole King 7. I’m so open – If someone asked me right now for music for a fashion show then this would be on the list – this is 60’s, Parker Knoll furniture, Mary Quant, Jean Shrimpton, Chelsea Girl … made anew … I love it to bits … absolutely fabulous darlings 8. small swift birds – you know those songs that when you listen to them they just make you feel so good ? you do, well, this is one of them 9. beneath the gate – Margot’s voice does full justice to some simply beautiful words and a laid back arrangement of seemingly effortless exquisiteness – I also loved the keyboard work on this track 10. close my eyes – this is a classic track to end up what will surely be a classic Cowboy Junkies CD, when Margot sings “I just want to close my eyes”, you just know that feeling … In short, a quite brilliant album of burning revelations, poignant renderings, subtle reminders, lightly veiled references, restrained reminiscing, heart-twisting renditions, shades of remembrance and pure Cowboy Junkies.
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by Cowboy Junkies 
