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The Dixie Chicks - "Home"
- reviewed January 17th, 2003
RATING: ***** 5 out of 5
The Dixie Chicks' album "Home" came in with high expectations. It turns out that this has bee the Dixie Chicks' best album yet! This album takes the lyrics one step deeper than their last album, "Fly." This album was nominated for Best Album, for the Grammy Awards, and is well deserving of the award. From songs of war to divorce, this ranks in as one of the best albums of 2002. I rarely give out 5 stars, but this is definately a must-get album!
The standout track would definately be "Travelin Soldier," which was a cover of Bruce Robinson. This track talks about two lovers during the Vietnam War. Another cover, "Landslide," originally by Stevie Nicks, is currently the #1 song on the Vanilla Top 100, and has been for three weeks. The last cover song was originally by Patti Griffin. "Top of The World," is a beautiful ballad, well sang by Natalie Maines.
The first single from this album, "Long Time Gone," is about a simple life with family and friends, living in a country area, going to church everyday. "More Love" is a great song, when it comes to lyrics. It deals with more love, and less hate, including the hate that comes from war. "I Believe in Love," which was performed on America's "Tribute to Heroes" concert, was beautifully written. "Tortured, Tangled Hearts" deals with divorce, but has a great bluegrass theme to it. "Godspeed" is a balld that sounds more like a lullabye. Althogh it is a very serious record, "White Trash Wedding" brings in some comic relief. "Truth No. 2" and "A Home," are also great tracks. The instrumental song, "Lil' Jack Slade" was nominated for a Grammy.
I hope this review has helped you in your decision of the purchase of this album. This is definately the best Country CD I've ever bought, considering I don't buy many country albums, or even rate them with a 5 star rating. Definately worth the money if you're a fan of good music.
OVERALL REVIEW
- Long Time Gone ***
- Landslide *****
- Travelin' Soldier *****
- Truth No. 2 ***
- White Trash Wedding **
- A Home ***
- More Love *****
- I Believe In Love ****
- Tortured, Tangled Hearts ****
- Lil' Jack Slade **
- Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) ****
- Top Of The World *****
John Mayer - "Room for Squares"
- reviewed January 17th, 2003
RATING: **** 4 out of 5
John Mayer's "Room For Squares" is a great taste of acoustic rock in the 21st century. With standout tracks of "My Stupid Mouth" and "St. Patricks Day," this record shines, getting a four-star rating. Not bad at all.
The standout track on this album is definately "My Stupid Mouth." on this track, Mayer curses himself for saying the wrong things at the wrong time. The song is hilarious as he is fickle and keeps changing his mind. Another good song, "St. Patricks Day," brings you through Mayer's life throughout all the holidays, including the title. Another standout track, "Why Georgia," leads you to want to live your life the right way.
John Mayer opens the CD with the single you've all heard, "No Such Thing." This single helped Mayer propel himself to where he is now. Another singe you've all heard is "Your Body Is a Wonderland." Catchy melodies give it an "A" rating, but lyrics of sex and foreplay bring it down a notch. I honestly think that it would be a much better song if it wasn't about sex. Most of his lyrics aren't like this, so if this is what you're looking for, this CD is not for you.
"3X5," a song about wanting to take a picture, "wishing you were there," gives a beautiful illustration of where he's been lately. He didn't have a camera this time, but he still wishes a certain "Somebody" was there. "83" explains how John wants it to be 1983, where he was still youthful, and everything was innocent. There isn't a track 13, due to superstition, but the track "Unknown" fills in the gap. John is not the first to start the trend though. the Dixie Chicks' "Fly" skipped track #13 as well.
There are a couple songs that you have to listen to a couple times to get used to. They are "Unknown," "City Love," "Love Song For No One," and "Great Indoors."
This CD is definately worth of a repeat button, due to songs like "My Stupid Mouth," "3X5," "St. Patricks Day," and "Why Georgia." But, tracks like "City Love," "Love Song for No One," And "Great Indoors" tone it down a notch. Accompanied by the sexual lyrics of "Your Body Is a Wonderland," this CD had potential for 5 stars, but settles for 4. This is still a good CD to buy, and if you dont like the first two singles, you'll still find something new on the CD. It's a great CD, and has been a good addition to my CD collection.
- No Such Thing ***
- Why Georgia *****
- My Stupid Mouth *****
- Your Body is a Wonderland ****
- Neon ***
- City Love **
- 83 ***
- 3X5 *****
- Love Song For No One **
- Back to You ***
- Great Indoors **
- Not Myself ***
- Unknown **
- St. Patricks Day *****
Norah Jones - "Come Away With Me"
- reviewed January 17th, 2003
RATING: ***1/2 3.5 out of 5
Norah Jones might just be the biggest thing right now, as she was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including each of the big four Grammys. Being nominated for Best New Artist also adds to the achievement. But is Ms. Jones worth the hype? Definately. She's been compared to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, and she's bringing jazz back to the top of the charts, as she recently reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 200 Album Sales. So what's exactly in this CD? Well, you'll just have to Come Away With Her to find out.
Jones opens the CD, with a tasteful choice of "Don't Know Why." This song has been struggling for airplay ever since the beginning of 2002, and is still climbing the Billboard Top 100 songs. She has been #1 on the Vanilla Top 100 due to this song. This track is definately one of the best songs of 2002, and is the best song on this CD. This one song has brought her to her success.
The title track, "Come Away With Me," asks someone she loves to come away with her, on a mountain top. The imagery is just beautiful. The Hank Williams cover, "Cold Cold Heart," is another tasteful choice, which gives a very jazzy feeling. It really makes you feel as if you were in a lounge with your friends. "Feelin the Same Way," "Lonestar," "I've Got To See You Again," "One Flight Down," and "The Nearness of You" are also standout tracks.
This CD is very soothing, but it may be too soothing. If you listened to this all day, you might even go to sleep. But overall, it's a good CD, worth of a 3 1/2 star rating. If you're a fan of the blues, or any jazz singer such as Billie Holida or Etta James, you should definately get this CD, if you haven't already. Very good effort from Ms. Jones.
- Don't Know Why *****
- Seven Years ***
- Cold Cold Heart *****
- Feelin' The Same Way *****
- Come Away With Me ****
- Shoot the Moon ****
- Turn Me On *****
- Lonestar *****
- I've Got To See You Again *****
- Painter Song ****
- One Flight Down *****
- Nightingdale ***
- The Long Day is Over **
- The Nearness of You ****
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