Open Web Player
![GLOOM DIVISON [Translucent Orange LP] [Amazon Exclusive Vinyl]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31XgeT2rPAL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![Wish (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Clear LP] [Amazon Exclusive Vinyl)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41L5YfJMevL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![folklore [Beige 2 LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41G79KTxHEL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![Hackney Diamonds (Live Edition) [2 CD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41kAYDabkLL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes[Orange LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Fv5onM1GL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![GUTS [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41i311B-ZaL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![Pink Friday 2 [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517YajpKOUL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
![Prelude to Ecstasy [Explicit]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mHf9uRsJL.__AC_SR166,182___.jpg)
This is, easily, the best Counting Crows album since Recovering the Satellites. No question.
Here's the breakdown, along with my point rating (1-10 points, 10 being the best).
1) "Palisades Park" - At over 8 minutes long, this is the most ambitious song the band has done in quite a long time. It sort of recalls "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby", but with more dynamic range. With the sax, the song starts out sounding similar to "Chelsea" (the hidden track on the live album "Across a Wire"), but it soon careens all over the place, with slower parts, up-tempo parts, and lyrics that tell a fascinating story. Not my favorite on the album, but certainly way up there, and better than any single from a Counting Crows album since "A Long December". 8/10
2) "Earthquake Driver" - Bouncy, up-tempo song where Adam sings about fame and his decidedly mixed feelings about his musical ambitions. I have no idea what an "earthquake driver" is, but he uses it as a metaphor for stardom. In that sense, it's kind of a more folksy "Mr. Jones", in terms of theme. I struggle with whether to give this one an 8 or a 9, but I think the intentional abstraction in the lyrics merits more of an 8. (You'll see that a lot on this album. I'm not a big fan of the technique, but the songs themselves make up for it.) 8/10.
3) "Dislocation" - Another song about being famous and not really liking it. This song is a bit more straightforward about it than "Earthquake Driver". It's also a much harder-rocking song. I like that about it, and I think the band pulls it off. Still, I don't think the band is at its best when they're playing this hard and fast. They can certainly do it - as this song and "Angels of the Silences" proves - but I think they're really at their best when they slow it down. 8.5/10.
4) "God of Ocean Tides" - This is a song about life on the road. It's simply beautiful, and is evidence of what the band can do with a slow ballad. Just beautiful. 10/10.
5) "Scarecrow" - This is a rocking, almost crunchy song. It's got some great guitar licks and imaginative lyrics. I can't tell you what the hell it's about, though. :) It's as if they turned an abstract impressionistic painting into a song. Very mixed feelings about this song. Good song, but not relatable like some of the others. 7/10.
6) "Elvis Went to Hollywood" - This is the one song that I'd skip. It's where the abstract lyrics go way too far. Musically, it's a good song, but I can't connect to it. 5/10.
7) "Cover up the Sun" - Great little country song. You can really hear the band's country influences in this one. The twang of the guitar, in combination with the piano, really sell the song, and it tells an interesting, coherent story. 9/10.
8) "John Appleseed's Lament" - This song has a little bit of everything. Rocking instruments, Adam Duritz's trademark (or if it's not trademarked, it *should* be) confessional style, and fascinating lyrics. I have no idea what the title relates to, but the song seems to be a look into Adam's psyche (to the extent that he'll allow).
"My love says, 'C'mon Adam. Tell me what the hell is wrong with you?''" I don't think you can get much more honest than that.
Another favorite line comes at the end, which takes the form of a two-line dialogue:
"Hey man, how'd you find the circus?"
"Man, the circus is everywhere."
That's what makes this my second favorite song on the album: 9.5/10.
9) "Possibility Days" - This is a song about regret, about the chances not taken, and about the way the creeping forward of time steals your options. It is, without question, my favorite Counting Crows song since "A Long December" which dealt with similar relationship themes. Also like that song, it chronicles the deterioration of a relationship. The piano starts off almost like a funeral dirge, and then the deterioration progresses in verse:
"We went from zero to everything, all in a day
And then Kennedy took you away."
It doesn't get any cheerier from there.
If you've broken up with anyone in the recent past, this *will* crush you.
"I'm scared that you'll leave
And you're scared that I'll stay
It's an impossibility day.
And we only saw half the ballet."
This is easily their best song since Recovering the Satellites, possibly one of the best in their whole catalog. It's right up there with "Round Here" and "A Long December". Simply beautiful. Perfect. 10/10
Maybe you moved on from the band after being disappointed with Hard Candy. Maybe you haven't heard anything from them since "A Long December" has been on the radio. If that's you, you owe it to yourself to give this a good listen. It's Counting Crows at the top of their game, as we haven't heard them in over a decade.
Frequently bought together
$29.95
Get it Jan 26 - 30
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
Chris Petterson
Counting Crows are BACK!
Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2023
Chris Petterson
Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2023
This is their best album since recovery in the satellites, palisades park is a MASTERPIECE in musical story telling.
The band is as tight as ever, withlovely harmonies and an almost cinematic orchestration at time, they are masters.
The vinyl is of the highest quality and sounds incredible the artwork is beautiful and the double gatefold showcasing several other impressive pieces of art is also a feast for the eyes. It's also made of a high quality material does not feel like it will fall apart like certain other Vinyl packages I own.
If You are a fan of thought provoking lyrics, harmonies and a big band sound, do yourself a favor and by this on vinyl.
Images in this review
