TheFactor
03/11/09, 06:09 PM
Counting Crows - Hard Candy
Record Label: Geffen / Universal
Release Date: July 9, 2002
The Counting Crows' fourth studio release Hard Candy is a bittersweet collection of easy to swallow songs about love and loss that are reminiscent of the sucking candies in that vintage tin box at Grandma’s house. Writing songs about loss is nothing new for the Crow’s clinically depressed, insomniac frontman and lyricist, Adam Duritz; however, on this album he has harnessed his prose style writings for a more hook-orientated approach. By doing so, Duritz has created thirteen pop gems (actually fourteen, including the sparkling hidden track, a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”) that are easy for any listener to digest and appreciate.
Although the band’s quality of work over the course of their previous three albums has improved, the band had seemed to have lost its upbeat demeanor and California swagger found on their 1993 debut album August and Everything After, which featured their fast-paced, signature track “Mr. Jones.” Have no fear; the Crows of ’93 are undeniably back with Hard Candy, a sonically gorgeous album that features razor sharp pop arrangements that help accentuate Duritz’s hook-laden lyrics.
Hard Candy is a true throwback album; it is reminiscent of the pop-rock music of the late 60’s, early 70’s because it combines the dual, driving lead guitars of The Allmans, the tremendous group interplay of The Band, the intricate pop arrangements of the Revolver-era Beatles, the vocal harmonies of the Mamas and the Papas, and finally, the great storyteller lyrics of Springsteen. The album has many high points, especially the sunny, jangle pop first single, “American Girls.” The song, which seemingly is about how easily men get attached to women, features beautiful vocal harmonies between Adam Duritz and special guest, Sheryl Crow. It undoubtedly will be ingrained in your head.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the album is the roaring opening track, “Hard Candy.” The title track opens the album with a driving guitar and a thunderous drumbeat, both which have been absent from the band since “Mr. Jones." The singer's bittersweet confession in the title track about an estranged significant other is so raw, so every-man, it can be assumed he is the one who messed up the connection even though it is not overtly stated. The lyrics of “Hard Candy” represent the common theme of the album in that memories are just as bittersweet as Grandma’s tin of hard candies—they are “sweet things that you can relieve, but often hurt to do so.” Other gems the album has to offer are the new wave-bop of “New Frontier,” the blues based “Good Time” that features an intricately placed mandolin and wah-wah effects that bolster the song’s sound spectrum, and finally the quirky “Butterfly in Reverse” with its stunning string orchestra.
The album displays a band at their artistic and commercial peak. By adding Duritz’s heartfelt lyrics with beautifully and precisely crafted pop arrangements, the Counting Crows have truly outdone themselves by creating a real satisfying treat with Hard Candy.
pop-rock; Good Old War; The Wallflowers; Guster - Ganging up on the Sun;
myspace.com/countingcrows (http://www.myspace.com/countingcrows)
Record Label: Geffen / Universal
Release Date: July 9, 2002
The Counting Crows' fourth studio release Hard Candy is a bittersweet collection of easy to swallow songs about love and loss that are reminiscent of the sucking candies in that vintage tin box at Grandma’s house. Writing songs about loss is nothing new for the Crow’s clinically depressed, insomniac frontman and lyricist, Adam Duritz; however, on this album he has harnessed his prose style writings for a more hook-orientated approach. By doing so, Duritz has created thirteen pop gems (actually fourteen, including the sparkling hidden track, a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”) that are easy for any listener to digest and appreciate.
Although the band’s quality of work over the course of their previous three albums has improved, the band had seemed to have lost its upbeat demeanor and California swagger found on their 1993 debut album August and Everything After, which featured their fast-paced, signature track “Mr. Jones.” Have no fear; the Crows of ’93 are undeniably back with Hard Candy, a sonically gorgeous album that features razor sharp pop arrangements that help accentuate Duritz’s hook-laden lyrics.
Hard Candy is a true throwback album; it is reminiscent of the pop-rock music of the late 60’s, early 70’s because it combines the dual, driving lead guitars of The Allmans, the tremendous group interplay of The Band, the intricate pop arrangements of the Revolver-era Beatles, the vocal harmonies of the Mamas and the Papas, and finally, the great storyteller lyrics of Springsteen. The album has many high points, especially the sunny, jangle pop first single, “American Girls.” The song, which seemingly is about how easily men get attached to women, features beautiful vocal harmonies between Adam Duritz and special guest, Sheryl Crow. It undoubtedly will be ingrained in your head.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the album is the roaring opening track, “Hard Candy.” The title track opens the album with a driving guitar and a thunderous drumbeat, both which have been absent from the band since “Mr. Jones." The singer's bittersweet confession in the title track about an estranged significant other is so raw, so every-man, it can be assumed he is the one who messed up the connection even though it is not overtly stated. The lyrics of “Hard Candy” represent the common theme of the album in that memories are just as bittersweet as Grandma’s tin of hard candies—they are “sweet things that you can relieve, but often hurt to do so.” Other gems the album has to offer are the new wave-bop of “New Frontier,” the blues based “Good Time” that features an intricately placed mandolin and wah-wah effects that bolster the song’s sound spectrum, and finally the quirky “Butterfly in Reverse” with its stunning string orchestra.
The album displays a band at their artistic and commercial peak. By adding Duritz’s heartfelt lyrics with beautifully and precisely crafted pop arrangements, the Counting Crows have truly outdone themselves by creating a real satisfying treat with Hard Candy.
pop-rock; Good Old War; The Wallflowers; Guster - Ganging up on the Sun;
myspace.com/countingcrows (http://www.myspace.com/countingcrows)