Eagle-Eye Cherry - Present/Future

Eagle-Eye Cherry has lost some of his cool on his sophomore record, most likely due to a breakup with his longtime live-in girlfriend. While most of the songs on Present Future retain the seamless, sophisticated pop sound of Desireless, the words tell quite a different story. Absent are the engaging tales of misspent youth in New York, as well as the radiant paeans to love. "Crashing Down," "Been Here Once Before," and the vengeful, jam-band-inspired "Burning Up" churn up darker emotions centering on overindulgence and betrayal. While this album may mark an end of innocence for Cherry, it is also a creative breakthrough that shows his grittier, more human face. "You know when you've been defeated / You don't care and you thank no one," he sneers on the hard thumping "Are You Still Having Fun?," banishing the pop teddy bear of the first record. He also enlists another sibling (pop diva and sister Titiyo, who guested last time out), as well as '80s sensation Neneh Cherry, who puts her sassy stamp on "Long Way Around" and stays around long enough to steal the show. --Jaan Uhelszki Amazon.com

The breakup album.

Eagle-Eye Cherry was the darling of the summer of 1998-- "Save Tonight" received endless airplay, but the label failed to promote a second single, so it's really not a huge surprise that his second album, "Present/Future", went totally unnoticed (and his third album, "Sub Rosa", was not at all picked up by his US label). This is really a shame, because it's a fine album.

One thing noteworthy is that "Present/Future" is a remix with some different tracks of his European release "Living in the Present Future". Why the label chose to do this is really beyond me, but they did (I've meant to seek out the European release but have never gotten around to it). The album is really quite a departure-- Cherry had broken up with his girlfriend and the album is largely a reflection of that. It's also a reflection of the cosmopolitan nature of his listening, adding a more overt blues, jazz, and hard rock sound to the mix than he did on "Desireless". It's got a lot more edge and attitude. There's nothing with the ringing, grunge bassline and angst-filled vocal as "Are YOu Still Having Fun?" or the bleakness of "Crashing Down", or even the Lou Reed/late Velvets stylings of the "Feels So Right". Unlike so many songs that feel like "Sweet Jane", this one gets the unbridled ecstacy down right. Mixed in, there's a totally unprecidented National guitar-driven blues piece ("one Good Reason"), a country workout ("Shades of Gray") and a duet with sister Neneh Cherry ("Long Way Around"). Admittedly, it's not quite the album "Desireless" was, it's got its share of misses, and this time they seem a bit more frequent ("Promises Made", "Lonely Days"), but the good does outweigh the less interesting.

It's not "Desireless Part 2", it's quite a bit more diverse and driven, but it's definitely worth a listen. Cherry may be remembered as a one-hit wonder, but he isn't a one-trick pony and "Present/Future" proves that. March 25, 2006

This guy should be much more popular...

Don's son & Neneh's Brother (who does a nice duet on this album), some real talent flows through this family. The lyrics are strong and the songs are all catchy & upbeat. This guy should be much more popular. December 23, 2004

Not Waiting in Vain

Listening to his first album literally every single day for two years until this, his second release, was not hard. But, adding this CD to my collection made my days even more amazing. This is yet another Cd you will never get tired of, too bad radio stations do not see that. His rhythms and lyrics will take you through a world of good feelings that will open your eyes to the amazingness of life. There is a song for everyone on this album, from rock to pop to ballads. One beautiful album composed by one of the best artists of today. August 24, 2002

AWESOME collection of songs!

I am not inclined to write reviews but I felt compelled to let more people know just how great this cd is. I have many, many cds in my collection, but so many times I become disenchanted and bored with them. I have listened to Eagle Eye Cherry's Present/Future cd over and over and over again. I have enjoyed this since the first listen. The songs just keep growing on you. It's really a shame that mainstream radio does not have a place for this kind of rock n' roll. This music has been missed for years and I hope it comes back and Eagle Eye Cherry gets some recognition because he truly deserves it. January 19, 2002

Worth the Wait!

I can not tell you how many times I played the first Eagle Eye Cherry Album. It never got old. Never! But I kept waiting and waiting for a new CD. And finally we got one. It is worth the wait. Almost all the tracks are awesome. Surprizingly the only track I am not into is the last track with Santana. Other than that was a great CD. Make sure to listen to tracks 5, and 7. To me they are the best ones on the album. If you liked his first CD, or like good moody rock buy this CD. This is a great CD. January 2, 2002

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