Hello,
Crystal Bowersox's debut CD "Farmer's Daughter" will be released tomorrow, but you can listen to it here now:
http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/3
ew.com has a very negative review of the CD here: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20448021,00.html If you want a good laugh just read the comments following the review, those commenter's don't agree a bit with the ew.com reviewer. I'm now listening to the CD for a second time. I'm not as down on as it the ew.com writer, but don't quite like it as much as the commenters.
I'll be completely honest, I wanted this to be the best CD of the year. Bowersox was a breath of fresh air to what has become a stale "American Idol". From the early episodes, it was clear that she was the one to beat on the show. The fact that she didn't win is irrelevant. It's also much better than the Lee DeWyze debut CD. That doesn't surprise anybody though does it?
If you stumble across this blog when I'm not finished, I'll be working on this blog throughout the day.
Here's the review, song by song:
1) "Ridin' With The Radio": This rockin' country song starts the CD off with a hectic pace. A good, but not great song.
2) "For What It's Worth": This is the highlight of the CD. Bowersox's powerful take on the classic Buffalo Springfield track. She adds passion and modern touches to the beloved 60's anthem. If you love Crystal Bowersox, as I do, you'll love this and the next song.
3) "Farmer's Daughter": This is the lead single on the CD. A very, very angry song to an abusive mother. This song isn't for the meek of heart. Although this is an angry song, it's also a very good song.
4) "Holy Toledo": Like "Farmer's Daughter", this song is a pre-AI track. You can tell this is a Bowersox song, there's no one else in the world like her. She's very authentic and likable. This is a mid-tempo song.
5) "Lonely Won't Come Around": Some of her songs can be dark, but this isn't a dark song. It's happy and optimistic. This is the type of song you should listen to when you are in a bad mood. It will uplift your spirits. One of the better songs on the CD.
6) "Hold On": This is a very sad song. She songs this song with a lot of passion and power. Of course that's a Bowersox trademark. Another very good song.
7) "On The Run": Another upbeat track. Another song that highlights the greatness of her voice. I love her voice! I wish we had more natural, non packaged artists like her. There have been singers like Tift Merritt and Kathleen Edwards. However they don't seem to last very long and don't make much of a dent.
8) "Kiss Ya": Another happy, optimistic song. She's going to love who she's going to love. She "don't give a shit who's around". This has sort of a country funk sound to it.
9) "Speak Now": No this isn't the Taylor Swift song. This is a slower ballad like song.
10) "Mine All Mine": No this isn't the Van Halen song :) On a CD full of happy and sad love songs, this is a bittersweet love song. This song would be right at home on country music radio from a few years ago. It would be out of place on modern country music radio.
11) "Mason": This song is okay, but feels a bit superfluous. This song is a bit different in that it's a duet.
12) "Arlene": Like the above track this song feels superfluous. These last two songs could have been left off the CD.
Crystal Bowersox is very unique in the world of contemporary music. She doesn't sound like anyone currently on the radio. Maybe she would if this was the 70's, in no way is that meant as a negative. She has a very Janis Joplin feel to her.
I didn't hear an ounce of auto tune on this CD, which is extremely rare in today's music world. Producers currently can't just let a song breathe, they need to micromanage it to death. See Kesha.
Would I recommend that you buy this CD? I would say yes with qualifications. If you love Crystal Bowersox and the kind of music she represents, hell yes you should buy. If you like authentic, heart on your sleeve music, yes you should buy. If you want a rock CD, this isn't for you. If you want prepackaged, disposable pop then this CD isn't for you either.
Overall I'd give this CD a B- grade. It's definitely not a must buy CD. However am I going to buy it, yes.
The great thing about the internet is that you don't have to agree with me and honestly that would be boring. Go to the above link and find out how you feel about this CD. Then go to the ew.com link for a few laughs.
themusicaddict
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