... It is identifiable by its orangey yellow cover and "Counting Crows August and Everything After" written by what looks like the worlds leakiest fountain pen.... Read review
sounded remarkably fresh, a welcome change from the crunch and screech of grunge. Blending the vocal athleticism of Van Morrison with the moody rock of The Band, th...
Rain King Sullivan Street Ghost Train Raining In Baltimore A Murder Of One Shallow Days (Acoustic Demo) Mean Jumper Blues (Acoustic Demo) Love And Addiction (Demo)...
Aftersounded remarkably fresh, a welcome change from the crunch and screech of grunge. Blending the vocal athleticism of Van Morrison with the moody rock of The Band, the Counting Crows turned on a whole legion of fans turned off by modern rock. But what sounded fresh soon became stale as dozens of bands flocked to the radio with euthanised versions of the Counting Crows' sound. But you shouldn't hold that against the Crow boys.August and Everything Afteris a fantastic rock album. Though "Mr. Jones" was the money-maker, the disc features such stand-out cuts as the dark lilt of "Anna Begins", the morose "Rain King", and the outstanding U2-meets-Grant Lee Buffalo anthem "Murder of One". Maybe time, and another listen, will heal the damage wrought.--Tod Nelson
A review by kthdsn on August And Everything After - Counting Crows August 1st, 2004
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
Exceptional music
Disadvantages:
Kind of depressing
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
My taste in music is very much influenced by what my parents listened to when I was growing up, and this was one in their collection. When I left home, this was the first album I asked them to copy for me, and I am so glad they did as it has become my favourite album without a doubt.
The music on the album is simply superb. It is very beautiful, with haunting lyrics and wonderful sounds. The songs are kind of abstract in the way that its not immediately apparent what the meaning is, and I guess different people could have varying oppinions as to what the songs are actually about. In this review I will attempt to explain what the songs mean to me personally.
I started to listen to this album properly at a lowpoint in my life and I found that I could relate to many of the lyrics and feelings portrayed in the songs. I find that many if not all of them represent insecurity, which I felt deeply at that time and this is perhaps one of the reasons I love this album so much.
The album opens with "Round Here". This song reminds me of the lifestyle I was leading. It describes a girl who packed a case and left town in search of something that was missing from her life. What she finds instead is a relationship that she is not truely happy with, and a life spent wasting time away doing nothing much in particular. I relate to it in this way because this was how i was feeling.
"Omaha" is about how life is so pointless. We can go around making new starts and promising to change things, yet everything is still the same as it always was so you may as well ask for your money back. I'm not quite sure what Omaha has to do with this but it is a great song.
The best known track from the album is "Mr Jones". It is a bit more cheerful sounding than the rest of the album, but the theme of insecurity remains. It is about a couple of lonely guys out drinking and dreaming of being loved, wanted and popular. They both believe they will achieve these things once they achieve fame. I can just imagine the pair of them sitting in a bar somewhere having a drunken conversation and saying many of the things in this song.
"Perfect Blue Buildings" is about a man who has visions of the perfect life he wishes he had. He is searching for meaning in his life and although he has these ideas about how he wants his life to be, he can't see how he can make them a reality and he wants someone to help him get out of the downward spiral he finds himself in. All the while the image of his perfect lifestyle is there in his mind, and he feels trapped. The line "How am I gonna keep myself away from me?" repeated over and over at the end of the song emphasises the helplessness he feels about himself and his situation. Another song I can relate to which just summed up so well some of the things I felt.
"Anna Begins" is one of my favourite songs from the album, and in fact one of my favourite songs period. It is about a man who is in a relationship with a woman who he doesn't love, however he feels that he can't leave her as it is all he knows and he keeps telling himself that there is something between them that is worth it all, although he doesn't truely believe this. "You try to tell yourself the things you try to tell yourself to make yourself forget, to make yourself forget." Everyone who has ever been in a loveless relationship must be able to relate to that line, It just captures the feeling so accurately. The whole song describes the situation and the feelings from this mans point of view so well. It is an amazing song that describes exactly how I felt at times in my marriage, I can relate to it so well, which is really why I like it.
The next song, "Time and Time Again" is about a relationship that was destroyed by jealousy. The guy in question drove away the person he loved because of his own actions, stemming from his jealousy and insecurities. The lyrics really bring the pain that he feels to life as he clings to the hope that she might come back to him, and that one day he might be happy. The way that he is so frustrated with himself is portrayed so brilliantly you can almost feel it with him. A great song.
"Rain King is one of my least favourite songs on the album. It is about a man who thinks he deserves more from his life than he has got. He is in an unhappy relationship, and also having an affair and he is just fed up with his life in general. He is sick of being taken for a ride he thinks he should be in better place than he is. I think it is a rather blokey song and I don't relate to it much, being female. I do like it, just not as much as the others.
"Sullivan Street" is about a man who is taking a trip down memory lane, remembering how things were in his life when he meant nothing to anybody, and he now has a girlfriend, adn things between them are great. Almost. The lyrics and the feeling in this song lead me to wonder why things aren't quite as good as he thinks they should be in his life. Again, the insecurity theme is present, although it is only subtly hinted at this time. "Its almost everything I need."
"Ghost Train" represents an endless search for love, and the person searching for it is unsure it even exists yet desperately wants it. He is looking for a woman he met and hoping. The line "Love is a ghost train howling on the radio" conjurs up images of a man haunted by the lovesongs he hears but yet is unable to find the feelings the songs portray to him. I do feel that this song is one of the weaker tracks, although its still a great song.
"Raining in Baltimore" is slightly less abstract than the other songs and thus is easier to understand. It is about a man who left his wife at home and went away with a circus. He is now stuck 3500 miles away from her in a strange town in the rain. He can't get through to her on the phone and he can't get home. He is thinking about maybe getting a car or taking a flight home and he is dreaming about being somewhere sunny or in a city he loves or anywhere but where he is now. He misses his wife desperately but he feels that he is stuck with his life and he concludes that he needs a raincoat. So many people find themselves in a similar situation, not that they are stuck in the rain working in a circus, but that they are stuck in a rut in their lives. It is so common for someone who feels that way to try and make the bad situation more comfortable for themselves ratehr than change the situation to one they are happy with, and thats what this song is all about. It is a beautiful song, very relevant to many peoples lives. It is definitely one of my favourites.
" Murder of One" is another one of my favourite songs. This time it is about a man who is in love with a woman he has grown up with and he has watched her get stuck in an unhappy relationship. He is trying to tell her that she is wasting her life with a man who doesn't love her and she should set herself free and change things for herself. He is dreaming of her freedom. He says he had a dream about her walking in the hills, representing her freedom, and that he "will walk along these hillsides in the summer 'neath the sunshine" but be "feathered by the moonlight falling down on him". If that isn't beautiful imagery then I don't know what is.
All the songs are sung in such a beautiful way with so much feeling and emotion dripping from each line. The lyrics are exquisite and really capture each feeling so accurately, be it emotional pain, loneliness, longing, desperation or heartache. The songs each sound as though they are the personal thoughts from inside the mind of the perosn in question, as opposed to a simple description of feelings and events. This really helps you to feel the powerful emotions portrayed.
The music that supports the lyrics in each song consists of mainly guitars and drums, although it is never loud and heavy. The sounds really help to bring out the emotions of the songs with "Mr Jones" and "Rain King" the most cheerful sounding music, although it seems to sound more hopeful than cheerful really, and this is fitting for these songs. The rest of the album is pretty much melancholy, with each peice of music complementing the feeling of the particular song.
The voice of Adam Duritz, the singer, is very unique in its sound and its ability to bring the feelings to life. Bursts of powerful singing, sometimes close to shouting, help to show the frustration and dispair in some of the tracks, and in other places, reducing his voice to little more than a whisper enhances the helpless feeling in many of the songs.
I really can't do this album justice without actually playing it to you. It is simply amazing, and I have heard no other music quite like it. The songs evoke such powerful emotions in me that I have been reduced from a perfectly happy mood to floods of tears. Equally though when I am feeling low, the songs are so powerful that somehow they manage to pick me up again and make me feel better about myself. Perhaps its because they remind of how awful I felt about myself and I realise how far I have come in my life to the point I am at now where I feel in controll of myself, my emotions and my life and I can say that I am truly happy.
I cannot recommend this album highly enough. It is pure excellence, condensed and fit onto a CD. I defy you to listen to it and not find a song you can relate to. It is the one album that should be in everyones collection and it beats me why it is not more well known. It is priced £11.99 on amazon, or find it in a record shop. It is identifiable by its orangey yellow cover and "Counting Crows August and Everything After" written by what looks like the worlds leakiest fountain pen.
Advantages: Beautiful lyrics, beautiful melodies. Gets right under your skin and into your heart. Disadvantages: Can become sullen and monotone for those who don't like slowpaced songs.
...that gives great piano).
August and Everything After (A&EA) is Counting Crows' first album. It was followed by Recovering the Satellites, Across a Wire and the most recent album release, This Desert Life. I was fortunate enough to see Counting Crows on their Recovering the Satellites tour at the Albert Hall in 1997. It was fantastic and would take ages to describe because when they play live, they alter practically all of their songs. If I ever ... ...(their live album) then I’ll talk more about it then.
Counting Crows - on this album - are comprised of Adam Duritz (lead vocals, piano and harmonica), Matt Malley (bass, vocals and guitar), Charlie Gillingham (piano, Hammond organ, accordion, chamberlain and vocals), Steve Bowman (drums and vocals) and Dave Bryson (guitars and vocals). All of the tracks (words AND music) on this album were written by Adam Duritz. Released in 1993, A&EA features ...
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very helpful
24.09.2001
(25.09.2001)
Counting Who?! Review ofAugust And Everything After - Counting Crowsby
withers1979
Advantages: Great mixture of songs, very talented band Disadvantages: None for me
Counting Crows are an American band that never really made it big in this country which is a real shame as they are so talented! They were formed back in 1990 and are still together after all these years! They tour the UK every couple of years and although they are my favourite band of all time I have not yet seen them in concert as I am not a fan of crowded places! The album 'August and Everything After' was released back in 1993 and it was the ... ...now! I listen to this album on a regular basis even today and never get bored of it as it is still my favourite! The tracks are as follows: 1. Round Here
A brilliant guitar riff opens this track which is repetitive throughout but not annoying. The song is very simple yet effective. Some great lyrics such as "we talk just like lions but we sacrifice like lambs". A great opening track to the album and one of my favourites. 10/10 2. Omaha ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
very helpful
12.10.2009
Round Here Review ofAugust And Everything After - Counting Crowsby
edd101
Advantages: Its simply a beautiful album Disadvantages: Some times mildly deppressing
Released in 1993 this is the album that brought Counting Crows into the public spotlight. Now 11 years on just as they release their greatest hits I feel the urge to listen to some Counting Crows and this is the album I decided to listen to….
The album is full of soft long lullaby like songs, the singing is so soft and gentle in places that you could just fall asleep listening to it, in other places the singing is more upbeat and you cant help tap ... ...accompanied by the slow plucking of the guitars and the relaxing beat of the drums, the more upbeat songs have strumming guitars and a nice steady beat.
The lead singer really is a highlight of this band, his vocals are so soft and relaxing and the lyrics are heart warming and moving. The lyrics really are the key part of the album and they are sung beautifully, they raise your spirits and they make you feel a indescribable sense of sympathy.
All ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: great rock/ballad tracks to give you goose bumps Disadvantages: they don't get enough airplay!
August and Everything after...
Its always gonna be the best because it was the first and an old boyfriend introduced me to them and that relationship might not have lasted but my love for the Crows has.
When you meet people for the first time, you inevitably get round to discussing what music you love and 9/10 times people say "who?" when i mention The Counting Crows.
Any self respecting fan of contemporary American rock will have the C/crows ... ...the band probably do really but just don't realise it. What do I mean? well, for example...
Party of five: recentley Claudia's band sang at a club...the song they played...The Rain King by, dah dah...The Counting Crows!...
Dawson's Creek: little Joey Potter goes off to check out her choice of Univertsity and banging away in the background is "Mrs potters Lullaby" by guess who...
Roswell (high): Isabel to Max "i know somethings wrong because you ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
I bought this album over five years ago and have just downloaded all the songs from Napster(see my review) so I can listen to it at work. This is undoubtably one of my favorite albums of all time. Each and every song has great lyrics and especially in the case of Mr.Jones a catchy riff. Whilist I have to agree that it is a little on the depressing side I still fully recommend checking it out especially if you're sick and tired of crap manufactured ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Consistent throughout Disadvantages: Not as stunning as previous albums
...I agree with the other reviews i have seen about this album, it is good, and don't get me wrong, i would recommend it to anyone.
However, when you try and compare it to the great 'August and EverythingAfter' you will see that CountingCrows have not really progressed, and may have actually regressed into a more commercial sound.
This is by no means a disaster, as i am sure it will get them more of the credit they thouroughly desreve, but this album is less memorable and finds itself in my hi-fi far less often than the pre-mentioned alnum.
There are, of course, some good songs here with Hangin' Around, Colorblind and Amy Hit the Atmosphere the highlights, and it is a pleasure to listen to the album as a whole.
If you are off to buy your first CountingCrows album, make it 'August and EverythingAfter', then go out and buy the rest...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Excellent lyrics, superb guitar lines and infectious refrains Disadvantages: Two heavier tracks seem slightly out of kilter.
...Music is a truly remarkable art form; it has the ability to enrapture and exhilarate, to sadden and depress and to stimulate every range of emotion in between. Perhaps its most amazing gift though is to transport us through time and space in an instant. Everyone has certain songs, albums or pieces of music that conjure up memories so vivid they are almost tangible. For me the CountingCrows album August and EverythingAfter brings back the feelings and experiences of my mid-teens, Ocean Colour Scene?s Mosely Shoals my post A-level Summer and now this album, Powderfinger?s Odyssey Number Five has my remembering my time in Australia. Fantastic experiences in wonderful places with some great people all come flooding back at the touch of the button.
My idyllic reminiscing aside I thought I would continue on the theme of my last opinion...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A supremely talented band at their very best Disadvantages: Melancholy lyrics may not appeal to all
...finale. Truly a breathtaking song.
A vintage CountingCrows number wraps up the thirteen songs on the official album release with the contemplative Holiday in Spain but far from leaving you down the Special Edition UK release has two bonus tracks in store. The last is contains a wonderful rendition of Joni Mitchell?s Yellow Taxi, and after the 65 minutes of sublime music the only thing left to do is hit play again and indulge yourself once more.
Hard Candy is quite simply a sublime album, the promise shown in August and EverythingAfter has already been shown in the CountingCrows previous two releases but has now developed into something truly special. Musically this is more adventurous and more impressive than their previous releases, and far from being detrimental to the album, the addition of songs with vastly different influences...
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Album Notes: Counting Crows: Matt Malley (vocals, guitar, bass); David Bryson (vocals, guitar); Charlie Gillingham (vocals, accordion, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Chamberlain); Adam Duritz (vocals, piano, harmonica); Steve Bowman (vocals, drums). Additional personnel: David Immergluck (vocals, guitar, pedal steel guitar, mandolin, mandocello); Bill Dillon (guitar, guitorgan); T-Bone Burnett (guitar); Denny Fongheiser (drums, percussions); Maria McKee, Gary Louris, Mark Olson (background vocals). Counting Crows were nominated for a 1995 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. "Round Here" was nominated for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. With their stunning craftsmanship and a classic sound DEEPLY rooted in whistlestop America, the anthems and rural overtones which distinguish the songs on AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER evoke the same kind of visceral reaction which once greeted The Band. But AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER is not an exercise in nostalgia. Some listeners have reacted to vocalist Adam Duritz's gruff, ecstatic vocals in the way they once responded to such dark angels of revelation and regret as Van Morrison and Michael Stipe. On "Time And Time Again," Duritz conjures up a startling sense of longing and loneliness, as the listener is drawn in and consumed by a spooky sense of space and solitude. Credit must go to producer T-Bone Burnett, who has gotten a lot of mileage out of similar themes and sounds. He frames Duritz's fervent vocals in Charlie Gillingham's mysterious keyboards and David Bryson's supple guitar, to particular effect on "Sullivan Street," where Maria McKee's harmonies give the tune a forlorn country resonance. All in all, there's a tactile, spiritual air to Counting Crows' tunes, as if by losing yourself in their lyric loneliness, by boarding their "Ghost Train," you could lose your own isolation.
Titles on disc 1
1.: Round Here
2.: Omaha
3.: Mr Jones, Mr. Jones
4.: Perfect Blue Buildings
5.: Anna Begins
6.: Time And Time Again
7.: Rain King
8.: Sullivan Street
9.: Ghost Train
10.: Raining In Baltimore
11.: Murder Of One
12.: Shallow Days (acoustic demo)
13.: Mean Jumper Blues (acoustic demo)
14.: Love And Addiction (demo)
15.: Omaha (demo)
16.: Shallow Days (demo)
17.: This Land Is Your Land (demo)
Titles on disc 2
1.: Anna Begins (live)
2.: Omaha (live)
3.: Jumping Jesus (live)
4.: Margery Dreams Of Horses (live)
6.: Round Here (live)
7.: Rain King (live)
8.: Time And Time Again (live)
9.: Ghost Train (live)
10.: Children In Bloom (live)
12.: Sullivan Street (live)
13.: Ghost In You (live)
5.: Perfect Blue Buildings (live)
11.: Murder Of One (live)
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Listed on Ciao since : 25/06/2000
Additional notes
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.58) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's." Mojo (1/95, p.50) - Included in Mojo's "25 Best Albums of 1994" - "A T-Bone Burnett - produced masterpiece awash with echoes of Van Morrison and R.E.M...." Rolling Stone (10/28/93, p.76) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...What's most impressive about AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER is how many such moments [of cinematic worlds] there are..." Melody Maker (3/5/94, p.43) - "...awesomely assured, a near-perfect example of that exhilarating mix of soul, R&B, folk, country and rock n' roll that Gram Parsons extravagantly defined as `Cosmic American Music'...."
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