Posted by: DandelionPowderman ()
Date: August 17, 2015 15:08
A short review:
Cross Eyed Heart:
A classic Keith-take on Robert Johnson, not very unlike the "Keith Richards plays acoustic guitar-video" that's on YouTube. Only a couple of verse lines and some authentic blues. A nice start - works as a little teaser.
Heartstopper:
This IS really a heartstopper! Pumping guitars and a really nice, melodic chorus. Should perhaps have been the first single off the album.
Amnesia:
Cool intro with a talking Keith, while the guitars are warming up. A rocking tune with some nice surprising breaks (drums and piano). Keith is singing really well.
Robbed Blind:
Wow! This is really nice. At this point, I'm surprised of how many instruments Keith plays, and how personal this record must be for him. That thought hit me when the steel guitar kicked in on this track. Keith plays some lovely piano. This track has some nice, surprising harmonies. Beautiful brazilian acoustic guitar break from Keith. One of my favourites on the album.
Trouble:
We have all heard it. Wouldn't be my choice for a single, compared with many of the other tracks here, but it's certainly a song with a chorus one remembers.
Love Overdue:
This is perfection. Perhaps the best reggae track Keith ever has recorded. Heartfelt, ragged and sweet. VERY nicely arranged.
Nothing On Me:
THIS should have been the single! Like a Bruce Springsteen from the graveyard, Keith is harking out the lyrics. A very simple chorus, but effective and cool. This is classic Keith. It could have been a Stones hit as well, imo. Love this track. Great, great vocals.
Suspicious:
My favourite so far! Some really nice harmonies and chord-patterns. Keith plays very good on this album, and this one is done with affection. I love the way he builds up his guitars, as well as the odd piano touches here and there. Small, beautiful lead parts on guitar. Waddy is good here as well.
Blues In The Morning:
The dirty version of I Could Have Stood You Up. This one rocks. Hard! Perhaps this is the Keith most hope to hear a lot on this album. For me, it's a bit generic. That said, I wouldn't have missed this track for the world! This is downright, dirty rock'n'roll - and Mr. Riffmaster is pushing it hard.
Something For Nothing:
A gospel-like intro and a weird damping guitar slowly leads us to the chorus right away. Very catchy. Single potential, great track. Classic Keith. What strikes me so far is that Cross Eyed Heart might be Keith's finest solo album. I didn't see that coming!
Illusion:
Opens with the ballad version of the Baby, Break It Down-riff
A very nice ballad. Norah Jones sings beautiful here.
«Just between you and me» Heard that line before, though. Beautiful!
Just A Gift:
Another ballad. Are there too many? Not really, imo. They're all on par with his best (Make No Mistake, Hate It When You Leave, Locked Away), and that's quite an accomplishment. Just A Gift is very melodic, and many of these ballads are really worked on arrangement-wise, compared to the tracks on, say, Main Offender. Love Keith's Mayfield-esque fills in the background. Nice strings. Real stuff.
Goodnight Irene:
Well, well, well, one of my favourite Leadbelly-songs. I don't know how he dares having a go at it, but he pulls it off. Lots of interesting things going on in this number. Great vocals. He makes this one his own. Some nice 12 string-playing as well.
Substantial Damage:
This one picks up where It Means A Lot left. Funky, hard-rocking stuff. Naked, stripped down and dirty. Cooler arranging than IMAL, and it swings more. Dangerous stuff! This is the riffmaster at work, and he means business! Nice slide from Waddy, who isn't really as dominant on this album as I thought he would be.
Lover's Plea:
Another Keith-ballad which rounds off an album. To be honest, I would have chosen this one to do it as well Maybe the best ballad on the album. Very nice horns, arranged very nicely indeed. This is reminiscent of Nearness Of You in places. Hypnotic chorus after the horns kick in. Then it stops and starts and shakes you off. Then you're hooked again. Absolutely lovely stuff.
All in all I'd say it's Keith's best album. It was worth the wait. Can't wait to get my vinyl!
[ Messaggio inviato da Android ]