Sheryl Crow - Sheryl Crow

Skeptics who attributed the success of Sheryl Crow's 1994 debut, Tuesday Night Music Club, to a combination of Crow's seductive good looks and a shrewd choice of collaborators have been effectively silenced by the range and depth of songs and performances on her self-produced, pointedly self-titled sequel. Playing guitars and keyboards, and building a triumphant, layered vocal style, Crow is tough as nails and drolly soulful on the deft "Change," as noteworthy for Crow's crafty lyrics ("Hello, it's me, I'm not at home/ If you'd like to reach me, leave me alone...") as for its solid, midtempo groove. "Maybe Angels," "If It Makes You Happy," and "Everyday Is a Winding Road" are only the most familiar highlights in a varied and absorbing set that argues Crow is no one's invention but her own. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com

The best Sheryl Crow CD you can find!

I first listened to this album on cassette tape (which obviously dates it!), but it's one of those albums where every song is a good one. I can listen to the whole thing without skipping a track. It will not disappoint if you like rock & roll/alternative mixed with pop. I think this album is her best.. oldie but goodie! March 25, 2008

Not an immediately appealing work

This is not an album with immediate appeal so it takes a while to reveal its depth. Mostly mainstream rock of the mid-tempo variety embellished with other influences, the music is very 1990s whilst the lyrics are full of references to pop culture, sometimes witty, always clever. The album opens with the heavy rock track Maybe Angels, which is followed by the catchy pop-rock of A Change Will Do You Good which was a huge hit.

The lovely tender Home is a folky interlude, Sweet Rosalyn is a tuneful rock ballad and If It Makes You Happy a powerful anthemic song where her voice really soars. One of the more profound songs is titled Redemption Day, a soft rock ballad with poignant lyrics. The gritty guitar and gripping rock riff of Hard To Make A Stand make this song stand out, but the most melodious number is the memorable Everyday Is A Winding Road with its singalong chorus.

The Book is slow and introspective whilst Ordinary Morning has a complex arrangement with jazzy lounge and rock sections. On first impression, the album may sound a bit monotonous and plodding overall but repeated listens will reveal some truly great songs. Just one lilting uptempo rocker would have raised the album to 5 star status!
June 13, 2007

Still her best.

For me this is still Sheryl's best album. It has a more rough, honest, edge to it. Something that started to disappear a bit in later albums as she became more successful. All tracks are great with the album best listened to in it's entirety from start to finish for full effect. It's hard to believe this came after TNMC since it comes across as more of a 'first album'. June 11, 2007

Another letdown by a great artist.

What's up with the material that Sheryl is given to sing? Well, actually, she IS writing it but the approach to a lot of these songs is poor. While it has more decent songs than The Globe Sessions, it still doesn't make the cut, in my honest opinion.

Top 3 songs:
If It Makes You Happy
Everyday Is A Winding Road
A Change Will Do You Good

The rest ranges from OK (Ordinary Morning) to unlistenable (Sweet Rosalyn) . June 6, 2007

If It Makes Her Happy

Ten years ago this week is when Sheryl Crow's now classic hit "Everyday Is A Winding Road," made it's impressive debut on the Billboard Singles Chart, gracing the #13 spot, but Crow found herself in a bottleneck time with the recording of her self-titled sophomore effort. She had already suffered a bit of backlash from Tuesday Night Music Club because the musicians she played those songs with for years accused her of taking all the credit, but then her producer ditched her just before sessions for this release were to begin, leaving Crow with no other choice but to produce the record herself. Tuesday Night Music Club was a fair effort, and maybe not as good as her second try because Crow's own input and vision wasn't as involved as it is now. The cool factor about Crow's second recording is how she shows so much of her own personal charisma--a principle that can sometimes be a challenge for an artist to put out there, and with songs like "Maybe Angels," "Home," and "Everyday Is A Winding Road," her overdue recognition as a songwriter has arrived. March 28, 2007

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