Counting Crows – Hard Candy

Counting Crows
Artist: Counting Crows
Title: Hard Candy
Label: Geffen
Rating: 7/10

The Counting Crows have been going strong since their first hit “Mr. Jones” eight years ago. Although they haven’t put out as many top hits, their albums have been consistently good and often better than the one previous.

Better:
“Good Times” – Lowly, but not entirely devastating.
“If I could Give All My Love” – A busted Beatles riff surrounds a great hook.

Good:
“Hard Candy” – A good groove and something more upbeat than the norm.
“American Girls” – Not poetry in motion. Good harmony, but seems to missing that soul often associated with an Adam Duritz song.
“Black And Blue” and “Miami” – Finally brings us the pained look at all those things that could be better.
“Up All Night” – Interesting guitar work and suddenly a hook comes out that moves you but not to tears.
“Holiday In Spain” – Silly lyrics, good melody.

Okay:
“Butterfly In Reverse” – The hook works, it’s the rest that doesn’t.
“New Frontier” – A really bad REM song that even REM would have left off their ‘80’s records.

When you think of the Counting Crows you think deep pain, ultimate highs, rarely do you find yourself in the middle. Hard Candy feels like its caught in the middle. It doesn’t take us to the depths or the highs that we had in the past.

+ rae gun


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