Spring Break
Cd Reviews
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Out & About
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'NOT TOO LATE'
Norah Jones
Norah Jones' third release is actually a record full of firsts for the young crooner.
"Not Too Late" is the first collection written entirely by Jones and her first album not produced by Arif Mardin, the musical legend whose touch helped propel Jones to instant star status after 2002's "Come Away with Me" and 2004's "Feels Like Home."
On "Not Too Late," we find a more politically embattled Jones, with cheap shots at President Bush and open dialogues with Iraq-bound soldiers on "My Dear Country" and "Wish I Could."
Hidden behind the politics is the same
striking girl next door whose uncanny ability to rope listeners in is still evident on tracks
such as "Thinking About You" and "Rosie's Lullaby."
That said, there's an unmistakable and indescribable void here. Perhaps it's the lack of any co-writing or maybe the change in production styles. Either way, this third leg in Jones' discography may best serve as a reminder of the greatness of the first two.
Verdict: Solid output from one of our age's grand dames.
'FULTON LIGHTS'
Fulton Lights
"Fulton Lights" is a perfect name for the Brooklyn-based project masterminded by Andrew Spencer Goldman. This debut effort provides a masterfully crafted backdrop of sonic colorings.
Weaving your way through this collection is much like doing so through a great dream. Nothing is necessarily expected, but even the unexpected has a way of seeming incredibly fitting and acceptable - Goldman's musical visions are brought to life for listeners to see any way they choose.
The great victory here is the struggle and ultimately, the compromise between the ornate, lavish instrumentations and the naked simplicity of the vocals.
The result is bliss for the ear - "Thank God for the Evening News," "Breathe in, Breathe out" and "Fire in the Palm of My Hand" showcase the lazy beats, piano and string arrangements. This album is a quiet beast that packs a serious punch.
Verdict: A sneaky masterpiece.
'BRINGING DOWN THE HORSE'
The Wallflowers
For this week, I searched for another second generation musical royalty name to follow suit with Norah Jones lineage from the Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar.
Enter Jakob Dylan, son of Bob and frontman of pop darlings The Wallflowers.
Dylan's dark and brooding features (not unlike his father's) were a quick hit with MTV. This special mix of television and absolutely pure songwriting talent (also not unlike his father's) made for a powerhouse of musical potential that spewed forth in "Bringing Down the Horse."
The three biggest hits - "6th Avenue Heartache," "One Headlight" and "The Difference" - were all popular for a reason, with catchy, youthful hooks combined with remarkably mature storytelling.
The rest of the album followed suit ("Invisible City" and "Josephine" could have been hits in their own rights), giving this album, especially in hindsight, a greatest hits feel on just the second effort of a young discography that continued to grow.
- Alec Wooden
Norah Jones
Norah Jones' third release is actually a record full of firsts for the young crooner.
"Not Too Late" is the first collection written entirely by Jones and her first album not produced by Arif Mardin, the musical legend whose touch helped propel Jones to instant star status after 2002's "Come Away with Me" and 2004's "Feels Like Home."
On "Not Too Late," we find a more politically embattled Jones, with cheap shots at President Bush and open dialogues with Iraq-bound soldiers on "My Dear Country" and "Wish I Could."
Hidden behind the politics is the same
striking girl next door whose uncanny ability to rope listeners in is still evident on tracks
such as "Thinking About You" and "Rosie's Lullaby."
That said, there's an unmistakable and indescribable void here. Perhaps it's the lack of any co-writing or maybe the change in production styles. Either way, this third leg in Jones' discography may best serve as a reminder of the greatness of the first two.
Verdict: Solid output from one of our age's grand dames.
'FULTON LIGHTS'
Fulton Lights
"Fulton Lights" is a perfect name for the Brooklyn-based project masterminded by Andrew Spencer Goldman. This debut effort provides a masterfully crafted backdrop of sonic colorings.
Weaving your way through this collection is much like doing so through a great dream. Nothing is necessarily expected, but even the unexpected has a way of seeming incredibly fitting and acceptable - Goldman's musical visions are brought to life for listeners to see any way they choose.
The great victory here is the struggle and ultimately, the compromise between the ornate, lavish instrumentations and the naked simplicity of the vocals.
The result is bliss for the ear - "Thank God for the Evening News," "Breathe in, Breathe out" and "Fire in the Palm of My Hand" showcase the lazy beats, piano and string arrangements. This album is a quiet beast that packs a serious punch.
Verdict: A sneaky masterpiece.
'BRINGING DOWN THE HORSE'
The Wallflowers
For this week, I searched for another second generation musical royalty name to follow suit with Norah Jones lineage from the Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar.
Enter Jakob Dylan, son of Bob and frontman of pop darlings The Wallflowers.
Dylan's dark and brooding features (not unlike his father's) were a quick hit with MTV. This special mix of television and absolutely pure songwriting talent (also not unlike his father's) made for a powerhouse of musical potential that spewed forth in "Bringing Down the Horse."
The three biggest hits - "6th Avenue Heartache," "One Headlight" and "The Difference" - were all popular for a reason, with catchy, youthful hooks combined with remarkably mature storytelling.
The rest of the album followed suit ("Invisible City" and "Josephine" could have been hits in their own rights), giving this album, especially in hindsight, a greatest hits feel on just the second effort of a young discography that continued to grow.
- Alec Wooden
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