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AlbumReview:AAEA

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1 Counting Crows: AAEA
2 Line Up:
3 1) Round Here - 5*s
4 2) Omaha - 5*s
5 3) Mr. Jones - 4.5*s
6 4) Perfect Blue Buildings - 4*s
7 5) Anna Begins - 5*s
8 6) Time and Time Again - 3.5*
9 7) Rain King - 4*s
10 8) Sullivan Street - 5*s
11 9) Ghost Train - 3*
12 10) Raining in Baltimore - 5*s
13 11) Murder of One - 5*s
- 13.1 Index

Counting Crows: AAEA

Released 13th September, 1993

Line Up:

CODE

Adam Duritz (vocals)
David Bryson (guitar).
Mat Malley (bass)
Steve Bowman (drums)
Charles Gillingham (hammond organ/keyboards)

I actually heard a mixture of Counting Crows tracks first, in a 'best of' compiled by one of my friends, and I wondered why over half the tracks came from this album. Little did I know that this is one album which (in my opinion) would be amazingly hard to surpass by either Counting Crows or any other modern rock band.

This album, as I've mentioned, was the first produced by Duritz and co. and this is evident from the fresh-sounding blend of country music with some hard driven guitar, excellent chordal changes and superb lyrics. Indeed, it is in the lyrical departement that Duritz truely outshines many other modern writers.

1) Round Here - 5*s

A truely hauntingly beautiful piece based around a simple guitar riff, Duritz gives his vocal abilities a true test through hitting some of the highest notes on the album. Rest assured, your spine will be shivering when he delivers the line: 'She says she's tired of life; she must be tired of something' - a line filled with a vocal intensity I have yet to hear on any other song. As musically excellent as lyrically complex.

2) Omaha - 5*s

When I first heard this one, I was slightly disallusioned by the odd introduction, but having got past that I found the song itself was captivating and an excellent piece to listen to. Again Duritz manages to blend artistic integrity with musical skill and lyrical genius.

3) Mr. Jones - 4.5*s

Why 4.5? This is the first song Counting Crows had go truely mainstream, and I have to admit that slightly put me off. However, a far more moving, pacey song than the first two on the album, again with excellent vocal and lyrical skill. A happy-go-lucky piece which never fails to make me smile.

4) Perfect Blue Buildings - 4*s

A very atmospheric song; slow and lazy as the bluesy title suggests. A very well constructed song; again lyrically excellent, but this one has a slightly limited listening life.

5) Anna Begins - 5*s

A near perfect song methinks; lyrically simple and clever once more (especially in the second chorus); Duritz's voice is allowed to almost stand alone to an off-beat drum, before being joined by guitars in a moving chorus. Truely a great piece.

6) Time and Time Again - 3.5*

The 2nd weakest part of the album; a slightly dirgy but intelligent song; Duritz's voice lacks the strength of the other songs, and it goes on longer than is strictly necessary

7) Rain King - 4*s

A quick, country-influenced song with some nice guitar work, Duritz combined flippant lyrics with a pleasing song, creating a nicely moving, light relief on a complex album. A breath of fresh air.

8) Sullivan Street - 5*s

Similar to Round Here with it's haunting intensity, Duritz again mixes his lyrical skill with simple but effective guitar work, creating an atmospheric masterpiece. (This is also a favorite for them to finish concerts on - twice out of four when I've seen them they've finished with this!)

9) Ghost Train - 3*

Thge low point of the album. As the title suggests, the percussion makes a clever moving atmosphere of a train, but the idea wears off after about two and a half minutes, leaving for a slightly boring final minute and a half. Some nice keyboard work however.

10) Raining in Baltimore - 5*s

This set the ground-work for what would be a CC trademark - the piano acoustic song on an album (Colourblind, Long December, Goodnight LA etc. also followed), and Duritz makes a slow and steady piece with great vocal and piano work. A truely excellent piece

11) Murder of One - 5*s

A rock, moving number, and a superb track with which to end an album. Moving guitar work, great lyrical and vocal work...truely a piece to jump to.

Much has been said about Counting Crows over the years, and they are well known for an ambitious front man as well as their work with various keyboards, mandolins etc etc. Whatever opinions may be held on them, this album should be approached with an open mind. Rest assured, you will not be disappointed.