Review by JaredD
4 stars out of 4
This is one of the very few albums from this year that made my list,
and the only other one to make the top 10. This Desert Life is a real
masterpiece. It's much better than Recovering the Satelites, and just
beats out August and Everything After. I remember the first time I heard
their first album, (and people will vouch for me) I said, "Adam Duritz
is the best songwriter ever to come out of the Nineties." This album
only cements my belief. The sound is beautiful, too, the band really
sounds together on this one.
The first song on the album, "hanginaround," the first single, is
definitely their catchiest tune ever and was the only possible
choice for a single. Though the other songs might not make great singles,
they're still great songs. There's not a loser in the bunch. Duritz's
lyrics are quite definitely his best ever. The best songs are
"hanginaround," "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby," "I Wish I was a Girl,' and
"St. Robinson in his Cadillac Dream."
Don't worry if you don't like it at first, it took me a few listenings
to really get the album. Try it out for yourself.
Review by MusicBox
3½ stars out of 4
Their first album, August And Everything After succeeded in making Counting
Crows a huge radio hit. With three or four singles off their first album,
they rose to the top of the charts and soon became favorites of alternative,
folk, and pop listeners. Now, with the release of their newest album,
This Desert Life, Counting Crows promise to please their fans with harmonies
and lyrics that resemble their past work.
The album starts off with the first single "Hangin' Around." This song is
definitely the most radio-friendly off the album and is already in heavy
rotation at most radio stations. Track 7, "Colorblind" from the "Cruel
Intentions" soundtrack is the jewel of the album. The stirring melody
of the piano backs the unmistakable voice of Adam Duritz. The singer
laments his loss of attention to the world around him and his need to
be brought back to reality. With references to past songs such as
namedropping Elizabeth ("Goodnight Elizabeth") and Maria ("Round Here"),
Duritz & Co. have written eleven priceless songs. Every song has the
potential to be a hit, and it's probably a good thing Counting Crows
have not abandoned their old style of writing. Fans and new listeners
alike will instantly fall in love with This Desert Life. Duritz' voice
will draw you in and at second listen, the immensely powerful and emotional
lyrics will force you to put this cd in the player and not take it out.
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