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August and Everything After is the first album that the Counting Crows released, way back in 1993. They followed it up with Recovering the Satellites, their live album, recorded in New York, Across A Wire and This Desert Life. All of them are fantastic, and if you ever get the chance you should buy Across A Wire, This Desert Life and August and Everything After. They’re absolutely fantastic. Anyway, despite being 9 years late, here’s my review of August and Everything After.
The Crows line-up goes as follows:
Adam Duritz – Vocals, Lyricist and Piano-y guy.
Dan Vickrey – Electric and Acoustic Guitar.
Matt Malley – Bass Guitar
David Bryson – Electric and Acoustic Guitar aswell.
Charlie Gillingham – Piano and Organ
David Immergluck – Guitar, Nandolin and Pedal Steel
Track 1 – Round Here. Starting 12 seconds after the track itself actually begins, this is a brilliant song. It has a simple guitar riff accompanied only by drums and bass and is instantly catchy. How can anyone resist a song of which the opening line is, "Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white"? This is one of the best songs on the album and is one of my favourite of all time. It’s simply 5 minutes and 29 seconds of pure magic.
Track 2 – Omaha. I’ve yet to play this song to anyone and hear them say they don’t like it. Again, this is instantly catchy and will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes. The chorus to this is so rememberabll (Err… is that a word?) that it WILL get stuck in your head after only one listen.
Track 3 – Mr Jones. Their first single. Much more fast and upbeat than most of the others on the album, this is the song that sent the Crows on their way. Again, it’s just guitar and drums but it’s so rhythmic that again, you’ll find yourself nodding your head along.
Track 4 – Perfect Blue Buildings. Can’t quite place the instruments on this, it’s definitely acoustic guitar and drums, but there’s something else too. Anyway, again this track is fantastic. Duritz’ vocal talent REALLY shows itself in this track, especially towards the end. It also highlights his ability to write really special lyrics. I could rave about this track, but you’d get bored. But please, download this if you can, it’s amazing.
Track 5 – Anna Begins. When I first heard this I passed it off as one of of the Crows more average tracks, but then I listened to it again and it began to sound better. It’s not up to the same standard as Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings, but it IS a good song, and is well worth a listen. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea though.
Track 6 -Time and Time Again. Again, not one of their better tracks but certainly not bad. It’s 5 minutes and 14 seconds long which songs like Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings can get away with, but it just goes on too long. It doesn’t need the last 2 minutes of it. If it weren’t for Duritz’ singing of the chorus in such a great way then I actually wouldn’t like this song at all, but his vocals do make all the difference. Again, probably not everyone’s cup of tea.
Track 7 – Rain King. Much in the same vein as Mr Jones, it’s upbeat and extremely catchy. "And I ammmmmm the rain king" will get stuck in your head. Fast paced, catchy and damn good, this song is an indisputable classic.
Track 8 – Sullivan Street. Slow but brilliant. Do I sound like a broken record? Duritz’ vocals complement this superbly as he sings "I’m almost drowning in her sea, she’s nearly fallen to her knees" One of the things that makes this track so good is its use of the piano not obvious, but you can definitely hear it, it really pads out the song.
Track 9 – Ghost Train. The only song on this album that I actually don’t like. I can’t quite explain why I don’t like it; it just doesn’t seem to work. I know a lot of other Crows fans love it, and I CAN see why, but I just don’t like it. Although there is a point in it, when Duritz’ sings "She said, "hey, how do you do?" that I love, but apart form that... I usually steer well clear.
Track 10 – Raining In Baltimore. Duritz and a piano. That’s what this song is. Just Adam Duritz and a piano. And it really is fantastic. It’s slow, melodic, laid back, addictive and very sorrowful all at the same time. According to Duritz, "It's a rare song about being 50 miles from nowhere and wanting
To be somewhere else with someone that you miss -- but also realising that you set this situation up for yourself. This is the saddest, bitterest song on the record for me."
Well, I love it, and it’s one of my favourite Crows songs and always will be.
Track 11 - A Murder of One. Medium paced and really good. It’s THE best way to finish this album, a song about breaking the chain. It’s a song with many levels. On one of them, it’s a light-hearted look at life. And on another it’s about making something of yourself. Basically, it’s a fantastic song and a great way to end a great album.
I give this album *****. It IS that good.
Cheers for reading,
RBS
The Crows line-up goes as follows:
Adam Duritz – Vocals, Lyricist and Piano-y guy.
Dan Vickrey – Electric and Acoustic Guitar.
Matt Malley – Bass Guitar
David Bryson – Electric and Acoustic Guitar aswell.
Charlie Gillingham – Piano and Organ
David Immergluck – Guitar, Nandolin and Pedal Steel
Track 1 – Round Here. Starting 12 seconds after the track itself actually begins, this is a brilliant song. It has a simple guitar riff accompanied only by drums and bass and is instantly catchy. How can anyone resist a song of which the opening line is, "Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white"? This is one of the best songs on the album and is one of my favourite of all time. It’s simply 5 minutes and 29 seconds of pure magic.
Track 2 – Omaha. I’ve yet to play this song to anyone and hear them say they don’t like it. Again, this is instantly catchy and will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes. The chorus to this is so rememberabll (Err… is that a word?) that it WILL get stuck in your head after only one listen.
Track 3 – Mr Jones. Their first single. Much more fast and upbeat than most of the others on the album, this is the song that sent the Crows on their way. Again, it’s just guitar and drums but it’s so rhythmic that again, you’ll find yourself nodding your head along.
Track 4 – Perfect Blue Buildings. Can’t quite place the instruments on this, it’s definitely acoustic guitar and drums, but there’s something else too. Anyway, again this track is fantastic. Duritz’ vocal talent REALLY shows itself in this track, especially towards the end. It also highlights his ability to write really special lyrics. I could rave about this track, but you’d get bored. But please, download this if you can, it’s amazing.
Track 5 – Anna Begins. When I first heard this I passed it off as one of of the Crows more average tracks, but then I listened to it again and it began to sound better. It’s not up to the same standard as Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings, but it IS a good song, and is well worth a listen. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea though.
Track 6 -Time and Time Again. Again, not one of their better tracks but certainly not bad. It’s 5 minutes and 14 seconds long which songs like Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings can get away with, but it just goes on too long. It doesn’t need the last 2 minutes of it. If it weren’t for Duritz’ singing of the chorus in such a great way then I actually wouldn’t like this song at all, but his vocals do make all the difference. Again, probably not everyone’s cup of tea.
Track 7 – Rain King. Much in the same vein as Mr Jones, it’s upbeat and extremely catchy. "And I ammmmmm the rain king" will get stuck in your head. Fast paced, catchy and damn good, this song is an indisputable classic.
Track 8 – Sullivan Street. Slow but brilliant. Do I sound like a broken record? Duritz’ vocals complement this superbly as he sings "I’m almost drowning in her sea, she’s nearly fallen to her knees" One of the things that makes this track so good is its use of the piano not obvious, but you can definitely hear it, it really pads out the song.
Track 9 – Ghost Train. The only song on this album that I actually don’t like. I can’t quite explain why I don’t like it; it just doesn’t seem to work. I know a lot of other Crows fans love it, and I CAN see why, but I just don’t like it. Although there is a point in it, when Duritz’ sings "She said, "hey, how do you do?" that I love, but apart form that... I usually steer well clear.
Track 10 – Raining In Baltimore. Duritz and a piano. That’s what this song is. Just Adam Duritz and a piano. And it really is fantastic. It’s slow, melodic, laid back, addictive and very sorrowful all at the same time. According to Duritz, "It's a rare song about being 50 miles from nowhere and wanting
To be somewhere else with someone that you miss -- but also realising that you set this situation up for yourself. This is the saddest, bitterest song on the record for me."
Well, I love it, and it’s one of my favourite Crows songs and always will be.
Track 11 - A Murder of One. Medium paced and really good. It’s THE best way to finish this album, a song about breaking the chain. It’s a song with many levels. On one of them, it’s a light-hearted look at life. And on another it’s about making something of yourself. Basically, it’s a fantastic song and a great way to end a great album.
I give this album *****. It IS that good.
Cheers for reading,
RBS
I would say get across the wire first. Their new album should be out before summer.
The GingerLord wrote:
> I only have this album by the Crows - what should I get next?
Anyone who
> hasn't heard the album yet, this review is not over the top, this is a great
> album, go buy it!
This Desert Life or Across A Wire. Recovering the Sattellites is good but the other two are better.
> I only have this album by the Crows - what should I get next?
Anyone who
> hasn't heard the album yet, this review is not over the top, this is a great
> album, go buy it!
This Desert Life or Across A Wire. Recovering the Sattellites is good but the other two are better.
I only have this album by the Crows - what should I get next?
Anyone who hasn't heard the album yet, this review is not over the top, this is a great album, go buy it!
Anyone who hasn't heard the album yet, this review is not over the top, this is a great album, go buy it!
This is one of my favourite albums, there isn't a track on this album that I don't like which is quite a rare thing with most albums. Counting crows are great and there other albums rock. I fully agree with Rasta this album rules. Although some of the tracks are better than Rasta describes them but that is my personal taste and others will disagree.
I've only ever heard Mr Jones. I should get my hands on some of the others then.
August and Everything After is the first album that the Counting Crows released, way back in 1993. They followed it up with Recovering the Satellites, their live album, recorded in New York, Across A Wire and This Desert Life. All of them are fantastic, and if you ever get the chance you should buy Across A Wire, This Desert Life and August and Everything After. They’re absolutely fantastic. Anyway, despite being 9 years late, here’s my review of August and Everything After.
The Crows line-up goes as follows:
Adam Duritz – Vocals, Lyricist and Piano-y guy.
Dan Vickrey – Electric and Acoustic Guitar.
Matt Malley – Bass Guitar
David Bryson – Electric and Acoustic Guitar aswell.
Charlie Gillingham – Piano and Organ
David Immergluck – Guitar, Nandolin and Pedal Steel
Track 1 – Round Here. Starting 12 seconds after the track itself actually begins, this is a brilliant song. It has a simple guitar riff accompanied only by drums and bass and is instantly catchy. How can anyone resist a song of which the opening line is, "Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white"? This is one of the best songs on the album and is one of my favourite of all time. It’s simply 5 minutes and 29 seconds of pure magic.
Track 2 – Omaha. I’ve yet to play this song to anyone and hear them say they don’t like it. Again, this is instantly catchy and will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes. The chorus to this is so rememberabll (Err… is that a word?) that it WILL get stuck in your head after only one listen.
Track 3 – Mr Jones. Their first single. Much more fast and upbeat than most of the others on the album, this is the song that sent the Crows on their way. Again, it’s just guitar and drums but it’s so rhythmic that again, you’ll find yourself nodding your head along.
Track 4 – Perfect Blue Buildings. Can’t quite place the instruments on this, it’s definitely acoustic guitar and drums, but there’s something else too. Anyway, again this track is fantastic. Duritz’ vocal talent REALLY shows itself in this track, especially towards the end. It also highlights his ability to write really special lyrics. I could rave about this track, but you’d get bored. But please, download this if you can, it’s amazing.
Track 5 – Anna Begins. When I first heard this I passed it off as one of of the Crows more average tracks, but then I listened to it again and it began to sound better. It’s not up to the same standard as Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings, but it IS a good song, and is well worth a listen. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea though.
Track 6 -Time and Time Again. Again, not one of their better tracks but certainly not bad. It’s 5 minutes and 14 seconds long which songs like Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings can get away with, but it just goes on too long. It doesn’t need the last 2 minutes of it. If it weren’t for Duritz’ singing of the chorus in such a great way then I actually wouldn’t like this song at all, but his vocals do make all the difference. Again, probably not everyone’s cup of tea.
Track 7 – Rain King. Much in the same vein as Mr Jones, it’s upbeat and extremely catchy. "And I ammmmmm the rain king" will get stuck in your head. Fast paced, catchy and damn good, this song is an indisputable classic.
Track 8 – Sullivan Street. Slow but brilliant. Do I sound like a broken record? Duritz’ vocals complement this superbly as he sings "I’m almost drowning in her sea, she’s nearly fallen to her knees" One of the things that makes this track so good is its use of the piano not obvious, but you can definitely hear it, it really pads out the song.
Track 9 – Ghost Train. The only song on this album that I actually don’t like. I can’t quite explain why I don’t like it; it just doesn’t seem to work. I know a lot of other Crows fans love it, and I CAN see why, but I just don’t like it. Although there is a point in it, when Duritz’ sings "She said, "hey, how do you do?" that I love, but apart form that... I usually steer well clear.
Track 10 – Raining In Baltimore. Duritz and a piano. That’s what this song is. Just Adam Duritz and a piano. And it really is fantastic. It’s slow, melodic, laid back, addictive and very sorrowful all at the same time. According to Duritz, "It's a rare song about being 50 miles from nowhere and wanting
To be somewhere else with someone that you miss -- but also realising that you set this situation up for yourself. This is the saddest, bitterest song on the record for me."
Well, I love it, and it’s one of my favourite Crows songs and always will be.
Track 11 - A Murder of One. Medium paced and really good. It’s THE best way to finish this album, a song about breaking the chain. It’s a song with many levels. On one of them, it’s a light-hearted look at life. And on another it’s about making something of yourself. Basically, it’s a fantastic song and a great way to end a great album.
I give this album *****. It IS that good.
Cheers for reading,
RBS
The Crows line-up goes as follows:
Adam Duritz – Vocals, Lyricist and Piano-y guy.
Dan Vickrey – Electric and Acoustic Guitar.
Matt Malley – Bass Guitar
David Bryson – Electric and Acoustic Guitar aswell.
Charlie Gillingham – Piano and Organ
David Immergluck – Guitar, Nandolin and Pedal Steel
Track 1 – Round Here. Starting 12 seconds after the track itself actually begins, this is a brilliant song. It has a simple guitar riff accompanied only by drums and bass and is instantly catchy. How can anyone resist a song of which the opening line is, "Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white"? This is one of the best songs on the album and is one of my favourite of all time. It’s simply 5 minutes and 29 seconds of pure magic.
Track 2 – Omaha. I’ve yet to play this song to anyone and hear them say they don’t like it. Again, this is instantly catchy and will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes. The chorus to this is so rememberabll (Err… is that a word?) that it WILL get stuck in your head after only one listen.
Track 3 – Mr Jones. Their first single. Much more fast and upbeat than most of the others on the album, this is the song that sent the Crows on their way. Again, it’s just guitar and drums but it’s so rhythmic that again, you’ll find yourself nodding your head along.
Track 4 – Perfect Blue Buildings. Can’t quite place the instruments on this, it’s definitely acoustic guitar and drums, but there’s something else too. Anyway, again this track is fantastic. Duritz’ vocal talent REALLY shows itself in this track, especially towards the end. It also highlights his ability to write really special lyrics. I could rave about this track, but you’d get bored. But please, download this if you can, it’s amazing.
Track 5 – Anna Begins. When I first heard this I passed it off as one of of the Crows more average tracks, but then I listened to it again and it began to sound better. It’s not up to the same standard as Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings, but it IS a good song, and is well worth a listen. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea though.
Track 6 -Time and Time Again. Again, not one of their better tracks but certainly not bad. It’s 5 minutes and 14 seconds long which songs like Round Here and Perfect Blue Buildings can get away with, but it just goes on too long. It doesn’t need the last 2 minutes of it. If it weren’t for Duritz’ singing of the chorus in such a great way then I actually wouldn’t like this song at all, but his vocals do make all the difference. Again, probably not everyone’s cup of tea.
Track 7 – Rain King. Much in the same vein as Mr Jones, it’s upbeat and extremely catchy. "And I ammmmmm the rain king" will get stuck in your head. Fast paced, catchy and damn good, this song is an indisputable classic.
Track 8 – Sullivan Street. Slow but brilliant. Do I sound like a broken record? Duritz’ vocals complement this superbly as he sings "I’m almost drowning in her sea, she’s nearly fallen to her knees" One of the things that makes this track so good is its use of the piano not obvious, but you can definitely hear it, it really pads out the song.
Track 9 – Ghost Train. The only song on this album that I actually don’t like. I can’t quite explain why I don’t like it; it just doesn’t seem to work. I know a lot of other Crows fans love it, and I CAN see why, but I just don’t like it. Although there is a point in it, when Duritz’ sings "She said, "hey, how do you do?" that I love, but apart form that... I usually steer well clear.
Track 10 – Raining In Baltimore. Duritz and a piano. That’s what this song is. Just Adam Duritz and a piano. And it really is fantastic. It’s slow, melodic, laid back, addictive and very sorrowful all at the same time. According to Duritz, "It's a rare song about being 50 miles from nowhere and wanting
To be somewhere else with someone that you miss -- but also realising that you set this situation up for yourself. This is the saddest, bitterest song on the record for me."
Well, I love it, and it’s one of my favourite Crows songs and always will be.
Track 11 - A Murder of One. Medium paced and really good. It’s THE best way to finish this album, a song about breaking the chain. It’s a song with many levels. On one of them, it’s a light-hearted look at life. And on another it’s about making something of yourself. Basically, it’s a fantastic song and a great way to end a great album.
I give this album *****. It IS that good.
Cheers for reading,
RBS