Joe Henry - Kindness of the World

Seven years after his first album, singer and songwriter Joe Henry finally hit his stride. His second album for Mammoth, released in 1993, appeared at an auspicious time for alternative country's "no depression" resurgence. The Bottle Rockets released their debut, Uncle Tupelo offered their swan song Anodyne, Blue Mountain formed, and growing interest in the Jayhawks' masterpiece Hollywood Town Hall helped build the genre's audience. Kindness of the World clearly belongs in this class. Henry's delivery suggests Dylan's country voice of the late '60s, a nasal but supple twang, and his songwriting--never keener than on the title cut (featuring airy harmony from Victoria Williams) or on the surging, fuzz-guitar driven "Dead to the World"--also pays a debt to that artist. The Jayhawks' Gary Louris and Marc Perlman back Henry, suffusing the whole with rock & roll body and country soul. --Roy Francis Kasten Amazon.com essential recording

Intelligent lyrics, great hooks

A true diamond in the rough made during a time when indy labels were on the ascent. Every song is produced with a deft touch. The musicianship is superb. This album is one of the best, if not the best, alternative country albums ever made.

Joe Henry has moved on to more adventurous terrane since this album, but this one might have been able to garner a mainstream audience had it been on a major label and promoted properly. The eerie back up vocals of Victoria Williams fit Joe like a glove. The lyrics are smart and enigmatic. The hooks linger in your head for a long, long time. Put this one on your shelf under the label, "Obscure classics." September 12, 2004

Great Music to Wake to

Joe Henry starts out "Kindness of the World" with the words "One day when the weather is warm I'll wake up on a hill" and sets the tone of the whole album. There are some upbeat tunes on the album, and fantastic guitarwork and backing vocals by the Jayhawk's Gary Louris, but for the most part, Joe Henry lays out some decent mellow Minnesota-style alt country with great lyrics and swell music.

If you're into the whole Uncle Tupelo, Jayhawks, Gear Daddies alt-country type sounds, this is a good album for you. It goes well with the first Wilco and Son Volt CDs. September 4, 2004

Superb

For me, this and Short Man's Room are his best - the lyrics and musicianship on each are stunning, and each time I listen to one of the two, I decide it's his best, until I listen to the other one again. But any of his later recordings - up to and including this year's Tiny Voices - are also stunning - more challenging musically and lyrically, but with sonic landscapes that are in a class of their own. And Joe's website - now www.joehenrylovesyoumadly.com - is articulate, moving, and well worth a visit. Thanks Joe. Any chance of a tour to New Zealand one day? December 23, 2003

The Best of a Great Artist

Joe Henry is still an undiscovered gem. He is exceptional in that his lyrics are every bit as important as his music on all his recordings. Actually, his lyrical quality has been consistently excellent throughout his career even as he's toyed with different musical styles. This album is a great marriage of wonderful music and lyrics. I tend to think his songwriting talents have been a bit wasted in arrangements such as those on Scar and Fuse. Joe, man, you're comfortable in the alt-country scene, why insist on trying pseudo-metal and the other styles you're cycling through. Anyway, this is a solid 10 rating - a Desert Island Disc (Short Man's Room is just slightly behind this one). Enjoy. BTW, the "untitled" last song, "Ghost", is hauntingly memorable. February 9, 2002

Infectious Tunes

I heard a couple of tracks from this on the radio and wanted to hear more. So I bought this CD and it just grows and grows on me. This is Joe's finest effort in my opinion. So fine in fact that someone stole it from me. I hope they enjoy it as much as I have. September 26, 2001

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