Hard Candy - Counting Crows

...variety.

~ Hard as nails, hardly ~

So what is so great that I have shout out about this album then. Well away from this being in the rock genre this album is generally quite tame but tame in the great sense of the word. Having not listened to the other albums from the band I have nothing else to compare the tracks to but that should not be a problem for me.

Hard Candy – The title song from the album is ...
...the Guitar, piano and percussion are used to great effect with the drums highly apparent as well as other instruments of varying nature (according to the insert there are a number of other instruments such as mandolin and obo used through out the songs). The lyrics match the upbeat mood to this song almost perfectly and sung with great pride.

American Girls – A real favourite of mine (well all songs on this album are favourites but ... more

I thought it was about time I graced you with one of my album opinions, seeing as there are a load to get through so I will start with this one. Why this one, well basically this album is a hidden gem that has been underexposed so I will do my bit to help expose it a bit more, especially as at this time there have been a meagre three reviews on it here to date.

~ Who? ~

The Counting Crows are a rock band made up of seven members (count them seven). They shot to fame in 1993 with there debut album ‘August and Everything After’, two further releases have graced the scenes since and a live album has been thrown into that mix for variety.

~ Hard as nails, hardly ~

So what is so great that I have shout out about this album then. Well away from this being in the rock genre this album is generally quite tame but tame in the great sense of the word. Having not listened to the other albums from the band I have nothing else to compare the tracks to but that should not be a problem for me.

Hard Candy – The title song from the album is a very up beat introduction to the album. Apart from the Guitar, piano and percussion are used to great effect with the drums highly apparent as well as other instruments of varying nature (according to the insert there are a number of other instruments such as mandolin and obo used through out the songs). The lyrics match the upbeat mood to this song almost perfectly and sung with great pride.

American Girls – A real favourite of mine (well all songs on this album are favourites but this one more so). A strong beat and low guitar playing highlight and make the lyrics over shadow the backing music that they create. Carefully paced and sung female backing vocals make a great accompaniment along with additional vocals of the band members. Great lower key vocals in places are worked in well with the backing music.

Good Time – Surprising given the title of this track but this is in a much lower and slower tone with much more sadness in the vocals and lyrics. Electric guitar is apparent in places (and has large part to play when lyrics are not sung) but piano and drums make the music in this one.

If I Could Give All My Love -or- Richard Manuel Is Dead – Possibly the longest title for a track I know of. Slightly more upbeat than the previous track (but not as much as the first two). This is probably one of the weaker links on the track but still a good listen. In this case more continuous music and lyrics are apparent, one to nod the head to defiantly. Guitar is more apparent also piano is most significant with drums suitably accompanying the track. Lyrics are nicely written and sung, more romantic as well in my humble opinion.

Goodnight LA – Drum intro swiftly followed by piano that is constant throughout, drum provides a slow beat for the lyrics to follow. Lyrics are superb in this one and sung with a great tone that hardly varies most appropriately during the duration of this track. It is also a very easy track to sing along to.

Butterfly In Reverse – Solemn piano introduction transforms into drums, violins and some guitar. This track is medium paced for this album. This song has a gentle tone with horns of some sort. Some romantic essence to this track, sharp finish.

Miami – A travelling tune with guitar and drum introduction and present throughout. Slow pace with great scratchy vocals. Hints of other sounds throughout make this one of my favourite tracks on the album. The words to this song are simple but effective; I certainly nod my head and sway it at the same time. Electric guitar appears to be present later on when vocals dry up. Brief pause at one point to head for a loader conclusion but in nice way once again.

New Frontier – Drum solo for a quick introduction, great inclusion of count in for the guitar, lower tone of music at points makes this a slightly darker track than the previous ones. Once again great lyrics with some keyboard possibly present. My favourite track from the point of view of vocal and lyrics combination point of view.

Carriage – Much gentler piano, drum and guitar piece, slightly slower again with sadder medium tone lyrics and sharp vocals. Saxophone piece in the middle without vocals again used to good effect. Lower tone conclusion similar to the introduction with great plucking of the guitar strings

Black And Blue – Dark piano introduction lead into lyrics in high and low tones then drums come in with additional vocals to give effect. Slow lyrics and slow to medium tone vocals. Although I still like this song it is not the best on the album.

Why Should You Come When I Call? – Key board and harp introduction swiftly followed by guitar and drums. Sad lyrics sung in an up beat mood. Good beat with words that good to sing along to again. Good use of vocals and chorus works well with the mix of mood and beat.

Up All Night (Frankie Miller Goes To Hollywood) – Starts with a dark piano introduction with vocals coming in over the vocals (reminiscent of Queen). This track is a bit more of a sexy number in terms of the vocals. Rolling vocals against the music open up into an upbeat guitar and drum piece. High paced vocals and music compliment the good vocals. Electric guitar makes some great music within and towards the end of this track. Nearer the end its gets quieter towards a louder conclusion.

Holiday In Spain – Piano introduction and again the lyrics come in over it. The vocals on this are my favourite, variation in low and medium tones of vocals. Drum silently enters into the song. Guitar enters later in much the same way; the track also gets louder towards the end. Guitar becomes highly apparent for none vocal areas. Almost pauses at one point to open up in to foray of vocals from several areas and music gets louder.

4 White Stallions – Guitar introductions this time, followed by drum and piano simultaneously. Lyrics are slow and struggle to follow the beat, good selection of lyrics, carefully chosen to fit the music or is it the opposite way round. The whir of the guitar becomes apparent again similar to previous tracks. Keyboard sounds like it is also apparent later on in the track. Gets quieter nearer the end only to open up slightly into a chorus of strings and things.

You Ain’t Going Nowhere – UK bonus track with a very up beat guitar, piano and drum introduction with the lyrics to with it. This is a fun song with western style backbone to it. Lyrics are not the best but the song functions without need for good lyrics to best effect. Loud and high paced song that I would get up and dance to if only I were not typing this at this time. I am now singing loudly to this one. Get me out of here!

Big Yellow Taxi – This is the theme from the film Two Weeks Notice and the reason why I bought this album. Very upbeat drum and guitar introduction with harp evident little later. Very fun lyrics with smiley and happy tune, clever lyrics as well. Joni Mitchell adds her vocals to wonderful effect and makes a change from the male voices on the previous tracks.

~ Other Stuff ~

Apart from the instruments mentioned there are others included in the tracks as the group are very talented and play such instruments such as Banjo, Organ, Melotron, Chamberlain Obo… well you get the picture. Some of them I would have no idea as to what they sounded like so I could be wrong in some of the statements of the tracks but I take it as I hear it.

The album is produced on Geffen Records with smashing styled front cover of album sleeve

This cost me £11.99 from HMV but as I always say go to the likes of cd-wow.com for reduced online prices. Websites for further information:

www.countingcrows.com

www.geffen.com

~ Conclusion ~

I great album (well it is in my collection so it must good!) with good value for money with sixteen tracks and no dud tracks that can happen with some bands of the same genre. I have to say I am taken by the Counting crows and shall be adding their back catalogue to my collection some day. I say go and buy it if like this genre.

 

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