Cowboy Junkies - Lay It Down

In 1996 the Cowboy Junkies could have gone one of two ways: they could have veered away from their familiar melancholic, somber sound or dug deeper into the groove. They chose the latter. Margo Timmins's distinctively sleepy, seductive vocals never sounded better--here she perfects the art of the subtle attack, best exemplified by the radio hit "A Common Disaster." The band knows when to pull back (it lays a spare, delicate foundation for her wispy words on tracks like "Something More Besides You" and the achingly beautiful "Now I Know") and when to let a groove build ("Speaking Confidentially," "Lay It Down," "Come Calling"). "Angel Mine" wears the band's love for country music plainly on its sleeve, and the stunning "Bea's Song" shimmers. A definite highlight in the band's career. --Lorry Fleming Amazon.com essential recording

KILLER CD!

What an awesome CD! This is easily the best Cowboy Junkies album ever with an absolutely superb recording: What a gem! Their music is melodic and memorable: You'll want to play this disc many times over. If you want to own an outstanding CD then this is the one to get! March 27, 2008

Probably their best album . . .

LAY IT DOWN is the very best album by Cowboy Junkies. "Trinity Sessions" has several of their best songs, but that album as a whole just doesn't flow the whole way through -- too much difference between tracks, which is jarring; and mediocre tracks taking up space between their very best work. Unlike "Trinity Sessions" (which I highly recommend), LAY IT DOWN is a smooth ride all the way through, and you can listen to all 13 tracks several times in a row rather than feel compelled to skip over the filler to get to the good stuff.

This is their darkest album -- Gothic Folk, if you will -- and it is brilliant. One of the 10 Greatest Albums of All Time. January 23, 2008

3 1/2, going on 4

I like _Lay It Down_ but have never found it as interesting or listenable as _Black-Eyed Man_ or as haunting as _the Trinity Session_. It's still a good album, though. June 25, 2007

Not Their Best But A Good One

This is an album that fans of the band tend to rate very highly. For me, although I think it is very good, I rank it slightly below some of their previous releases. The album continues the patented Cowboy Junkies sound with lush music, cerebral lyrics and gorgeous vocals. The band rocks out a bit harder in places than on previous album (although the junkies never really heavy), and for the most part it works. The single "A Common Disaster" even received some radio airplay. Highlights include the album opener "Something More Besides You" with the great opening line "One foot stands before the crib, the other by the casket...". The title track "Lay It Down" is a good one as is "Bea's Song (River Trilogy Part II) which is an ongoing trilogy divided between 3 albums. Another interesting one is two versions of the same song sung from different perspectives. "Come Calling (his song), and "Come Calling" (her song) is a clever idea. In conclusion this is probably the least favorite of the Cowboy Junkies albums that I own, but there is no such thing as a bad Cowboy Junkies album and this one is very strong as well. December 21, 2006

Lay It Down

I first heard this CD at work when a new employee brought it from home. I had never heard of Cowboy Junkies before. He played it, and I was immediately hooked! Margo's haunting, spellbinding voice on the songs is nothing short of mystical, and you really cannot help but love it. So far, this is my favorite album by them. A must for any lover of Cowboy Junkies... or even just good music! August 12, 2005

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