With a sound that encompasses Americana, rock and country, Sheryl Crow’s 1990s records became the soundtrack to a thousand interstate drives. Meanwhile, her literate and witty storytelling ensured her fanbase stretched across the Atlantic and beyond.
And now, despite claiming that her 2019 duets album, ‘Threads’ would be her last, Crow is back with ‘Evolution’. The result manages to resurrect her signature sound while not exactly adding much to it.
Her songs have always been fun, and this feeling returns on Love Life with chunky drums, funky guitars and a ruthlessly sing-along chorus. There is also some (now signature) nimble chord writing and elegant arrangement ticks.
Similarly classic fayre comes in You Can’t Change the Weather, a lilting pop ballad that pontificates and proselytises with a pleasingly light touch. Once again, the rhythms are quite heavy and the singing cool and clean. It works hard to resurrect that ‘90s sound, and pulls it off with good grace.
But it doesn’t all land. The title track is a tedious plodder that sounds like landfill God-rock. Similarly, Don’t Walk away is self important twaddle that doesn’t match the billing of elder stateswoman for which the song strives.
The most curious turn is a cover-duet with Peter Gabriel of his song Digging in the Dirt, which feels like it must be a cast off from ‘Threads’. It’s wonky and out of place but somehow elevates the deluxe version of the record. Given its lopsided stylistic approach, ‘Evolution’ probably should have been two EPs.
Sheryl Crow Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu June 13 2024 - HALIFAX Piece Hall
Sat June 15 2024 - KENT Eldrige Park
Tue June 18 2024 - LONDON Hampton Court Palace
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