C'mon, C'mon [Extra tracks]

The 4th studio album for sheryl crow, and what a summer rocker it is!
the first single, soak up the sun, is a happy go lucky upbeat pop song about having fun in the sun. And the good mood doesnt end there, 'your an original' which features lenny kravitz, is a rocked out athem of the future.
Steve McQueen is also a great song that will have you singing along to to chorus all day long. As ever with sheryl, there are reflective songs about past loves, 'over you' is a song that just seems to hit you in the heart. Darker songs such as 'weather channel' show some amazing song writing and even better arrangement.
The album has a host of special appearances from the likes of lenny kravitz, liz phair, stevie nicks and don henley. Heck even gwneth paltrow gives it a go, but dont let this put you off, never is sheryl overwhelmed, this is most definitely HER album.
Overall an excellent summer album that you wanna play loud in your car with the top down. The only down side is that there is nothing originally new, but then her music is so good anyway!
its an album that sounds like you've been listening to the songs for years, and love them!
enjoy

The Globe Sessions were a great mix of dark, catchy lyrics and slick production, and with Sheryl heralding her new album as being made for Summer, it is easy to see how C'mon C'mon is different, and perhaps better, than her last album.
The album oozes Summer, with its warm colours and glossy prints on the CD sleeve and the commerical, radio-friendly feel of some of the songs. Thats a compliment, by the way!
The opener is 'Stevie McQueen', and many fans have raved about this song, although for me I found it to be a grower rather than an immediate hit.
For me, the song that stood out for me on my first listen was 'Soak Up The Sun', a catchy mature pop song, with great lyrics, that makes it impossible not to sing along. The song is upbeat, summery and is one of those drive-along-with-the-music-on-loud songs!
The third track, 'You're An Original' is similar to the opening track, and while most seem to love it, I tend to skip it to get the songs I like more. I'm sure it will become a favourite over time, for I've noticed that many songs on The Globe Sessions did the same, such as 'Members Only'.
'Safe and Sound' is the harder version of the song she sang for the New York Fire Department in the wake of September 11th. Its a beautiful song, but its down to personal view whether the rocked-up chorus enhances or spoils the song.
C'mon C'mon, the title track, is a catchy, simple song with country tones while remaining Sheryl and not becoming Shania! Its quite a heartfelt song, with the idea of being broken-hearted, and this is continued in 'Its So Easy'
This is a duet, but the male vocals blend in well with Sheryl's, and it remains very much her song. With the soft piano and painful lyrics, its one you sung with emotion and is a very poignant song.
Over You is one of the highlights of the album for me, with Sheryl's voice sounding great with the strong guitar riff during the chorus adds to the words without drowning the song. Its also a song that many will be able to identify with.
Lucky Kid is something of a surprise for there is something of a departure from the usual Crow sound. Her voice is radio-like during the verses and its a fantastic driving song, with the brilliant chorus that forces you to shout 'Wasted'! It also ends well, with song ending before reviving again.
Diamond Road is currently my least favourite song, in that its quite predictable and perhaps alittle bit filler, something I've never thought about Sheryl's songs.
It's Only Love features Gwyneth Paltrow on guest vocals, but its practically impossible to hear her, so don't worry if you think she will retract from the song if you're not a fan! Its a rock ballad with some great lyrics and a moving chorus.
Abilene seems to be very popular, and it certainly is a very good song. Its classic Sheryl, with strong lyrics and a catchy chorus, while remaining more rock than pop, bringing out Sheryl's raspy voice.
Hole In My Pocket is not one of the best songs, but its no failuire. It has well-written lyrics that I feel might have been better suited to a rock ballad or pure pop than a balance between the two genres.
I've noticed Weather Channel has been getting alot of mentions, and its not surprising. Its a song that is alittle more than a single guitar and some haunting lyrics from Sheyrl. There is no chorus or clear structure as Sheryl sings of the 'black dog' depression. Its perhaps the Crash and Burn of C'mon C'mon, and would sit just as well on The Globe Sessions.
Missing is a great song to end the album, finishing on a positive note, reinforcing the Soak Up The Sun's message of appreciate what you've got.
C'mon C'mon is a brilliant album, and holds a well-deserved place amongst Sheryl Crow's discography. Its still classic Sheryl with guitars on every song, despite all the new music movements and techniques going on. Avoiding voice-decoders and electronica, Sheryl remains old-fashioned. This could be seen as both a bad point and a good point, but you can't help but be won over by the amazing song-writing on this album. Its clear that the album possesses some true gems that will stand out amongst her many hit songs. C'mpon C'mon - get this album and feel those rays.

Sheryl Crow was heading for a more interesting place with 'The Globe Sessions'- which had some darker elements to it- perhaps due to the presence of Lisa 'Happiness' Germano. This album was long in the coming- rumours of breakdown and a wish to make a pure country album have lead to...an album that sounds like a rehash of the material on the first two albums! As with bands like Oasis, so-called progress is in fact regression (Alanis Morisette's new album sounds more like her debut than her "difficult" second album!).

The same thing happened with PJ Harvey's 'Is This Desire?'- which the record company rejected and sent her off to re-record. So, here is 'C'mon C'Mon'- a plastic ode to enthuasiasm- with a cosmetic focus on Crow's features.

There is no reason to have Lenny Kravitz on any album- his vile brand of retro adds about as much to proceedings as his contribution to the comedy album released by Mick Jagger last year. 'Weather Channel' is one of the better tracks- a sign that the album should have been more in the 'Red Dirt Girl' or 'Beautysleep' territory.

'Soak up the Sun' is the obvious single- a cynical feign at the enthuasiasm of the first album; particularly THAT breakthrough hit. The kooky stream of consciousness thing ("My friend the communist") is becoming very tedious; you could just listen to 'Everyday is a Winding Road'. 'Steve McQueen' is alright- but this all sounds like it's been done before. Part of the problem is Shelby Lynne- who has moved in on Crow's territory (using the same producer on 'I Love Shelby Lynne')but with more style and substance. Or Liz Phair (featured here) whose underrated 'Whitechocolatespaceegg' featured songs like 'Polyester Bride' that make Crow's efforts look very MOR. Add to that great albums by female artists like Tanya Donelly, Abraham, Low, Gemma Hayes, Gillian Welch ,Rosie Thomas & Eileen Rose- and Crow seems as contemporary as 1994.

This is a severely average album that had promised to be a classic- think Crow ought to rush-release that 'Greatest Hits' & take some time out to record something with a bit more honesty. This is the sound of a record company dictated compromise- it may sell a lot to all the people that bought her first two albums- and not the sound of a potentially great female songwriter. And do Sheryl's constant reminders of "fun" protest too much? Perhaps this album is an exercise in inverse irony?