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The Hard Way

Owsley
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews) | More about this product

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Owsley
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Product Details

  • Audio CD (December 2, 2003)
  • Original Release Date: December 2, 2003
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Lakeview Entertainment
  • ASIN: B00013M0NQ
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,607 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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1. Be With You
2. Rise
3. She's The One
4. Dude
5. Down
6. Matriarch
7. Undone
8. The Hard Way
9. Dirty Bird
10. Rainy Day People

Editorial Reviews

Michael Moses, Rolling Stone, April 8, 1999

"Beatles-esque balladry and magnetic pop hooks"


Product Description

Hailing from Alabama, Owsley has been nurturing and honing his own unique and virally-infectious melodies for some time. His debut album Owsley received huge praise from the media. People Magazine heralded him "poised for overnight success," while Rolling Stone trumpeted "Beatle-esque balladry and magnetic pop hooks." His latest release "The Hard Way" continues his road to perfection. Sultry love songs rub against the hookiest pop south of Canada. Check out why his legion of fans are growing by the minute. This is a true masterpeice of pop craftsmanship.

Band Members: Will Owsley-Electric guitars on all songs, acoustic guitar on track 3 and 8, piano on track 6 and 7, pass guitar on track 5, 6 and 8, vocals and background vocals on all songs Chris McHugh-Drums and percussion on all songs Michael Rhodes-Bass guitar on track 3,9 and 10 Jimmie Lee Sloas-Bass guitar on track 1 and 7 Millard Powers-Bass guitar on track 4 Jonathon Hamby-all Hammond B3 organ, piano on track 4, Chamberlin strings on track 5 and synthesizer on track 9 Keith Thomas-Strings on track 1 and 6 John Painter-Chamberlin strings on track 2 Gordon Kennedy-Electric guitar and background vocals on track 7 Tom Bukovac-Electric and acoustic guitar on track 1, bass guitar on track 2 Rebecca Walker-Background vocals on track 10 Simon Petty-Harmonica on track 8 (Appears courtesy of Foodchain Records) James Michael-Vocal production on track 8

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Customer Reviews

18 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars A MAJOR Disappointment, March 2, 2004
By Donald R. Dobrez Jr. (St. Charles, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I was so excited when I searched through Amazon and discovered that Owsley had a new album out. The first one, the brillant self titled debut "Owsley", was easily my favorite CD of last year (the year in which I discovered it). Wonderful pop hooks, great melodies, chill-inducing bridges. I was looking forward to many years of great CD releases. But when I popped this CD into the player, I swear I thought that the wrong CD had been hidden in the case. This sounded NOTHING at all like the first CD. Gone were the great melodies, the catchy hooks, the wonderful sounds. Instead, a generic, guitar-heavy rotation of bland songs that sound nondescript and could easily be from any other alternative/new rock artist. Even his voice sounds dramtically different. As Simon of American Idol would say, it is as if he was "affected" since the last album, i.e., someone told him to sound more like everything else that gets played on New Rock stations. THAT is a major shame. The album does redeem itself near the end, when Owsley's vocals and hooks start to return. But by that time it is all ready too late to save the CD. Please Will, go back to what made you great in the first album. And for those who have never experienced Will Owsley, skip this release and start with his debut.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, April 12, 2004
All in all, I really do enjoy this album. Owsley has a fabulous talent for writing beautiful melodies and catchy hooks. However, he seems to be at his most successful when he's being wry and vaguely sarcastic. On his first album, the shining tracks are quirky, tongue in cheek tunes like "Oh No, the Radio."

On this album, he seems more in earnest in his lyrics and musical intent. Also, he seems more keen on creating a highly produced album. Unlike his last one, in which the production difference between his demo and the final product was very small, this one clearly has had lots and lots of studio work done to it.

The final ressult is a more straightforward pop album. For many artists, the album would mark a high point in their recording career. For Owsley, it seems like a step backwards. It's not a bad album by any stretch of the imagination, and is still worth getting for tracks like "Undone." It's just not what it could have been.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, September 18, 2004
I have to disagree with most of the reviews for this album. First of all, having worked as an engineer with Will personally, I can attest that he needs little, if any, pitch correction as mentioned in another review. He's a fantastic writer and musician, a cool person to talk to, energetic, and always in pursuit of more fans. I, as many, didn't hear of Owsley's solo efforts until the release of "The Hard Way," and find it in addition to his debut release to be pop masterpieces. Less Beatle-esque, and more radio friendly as far as the general public and new listeners are concerned. Most people aren't looking for Beatles reincarnates when searching for great music, and neither am I. This record, as mentioned in other reviews, is far more melodic, and somewhat reminiscent of many of your favorite songs, making it easily and quickly lovable. I am personally a huge fan of Owsley and have introduced his music to many others and continue to do so. Buy this album, accept it for it's wholesomeness, and you will be his next #1.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I don't know how anyone could possibly complain about this album.
After reading the negative viewpoints previously written I felt compelled to throw in my two cents.

I, too, am a late-comer regarding getting all of the Owsley music... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Darren D. Wheeler

4.0 out of 5 stars Close... but not quite Owsley - Owsley
This guy is a player, he writes great hooks, and this album is very well done. I may have been spoiled by Owsley - Owsley. Read more
Published on January 10, 2007 by Steve Betts

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Pervasive Powerpop
This record has repeatedly made me late--when it's on, I want to listen & absorb it all. Bad for me, but in a good way. Read more
Published on July 2, 2005 by Lance

4.0 out of 5 stars overcoats and a crackpot from planet antares
I'm actually hurting a little bit. See, I bumped my head into the wall. What happened was I went to see if maybe that Will Owsley guy had a new CD out, thought I could buy it on... Read more
Published on March 2, 2005 by C.K Dexterhaven

5.0 out of 5 stars Owsley makes it two in a row!!
In an age where over produced, incoherent noise is what passes for "music" these days, along comes a true artist like Wil Owsley who reminds you of what rock n' roll SHOULD be. Read more
Published on February 14, 2005 by Robb Boutros

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sophomoric effort
Just sharing my opinions. I too discovered Owsley by accident - it was on a listening station at Tower for new artists, and I just happened to punch the button for his CD, and... Read more
Published on November 2, 2004 by B. O'Connell

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite brilliant, but not bad
If I had to make a list of my favorite CDs of all time, Owsley's first album would be up near the top. Read more
Published on March 17, 2004 by J. C. Steuber

5.0 out of 5 stars Owsley Does It Again!
Utterly fantastic! A great follow up to his debut CD which I thought would be hard to match. His new songs are fresh and yet maintain that Owsley sound that we know from his... Read more
Published on March 16, 2004 by Paul

2.0 out of 5 stars Killed by over-processing
Man, what is it with these guys? Owsley writes great songs, arranges and plays them well. Then he has to ruin it all by putting on this auto-pitch-correction software that snaps... Read more
Published on March 15, 2004 by Jonathan B Whitcomb

3.0 out of 5 stars Actually I see less power pop style....
First of all I am not going to come out and say this is a bad album. It is charming in it's own way. Read more
Published on February 5, 2004 by Roger R. Montalvo

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