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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Thematically, Detours may not seem like much of a detour to Sheryl Crow fans. Her politics pour out of these songs the way you might expect them to if you caught wind of her epic cross-country bus trip, with the activist Laurie David, to promote environmental awareness months prior to this release. From the quiet, faraway-sounding opener "God Bless This Mess"--a novel in a song--to the catchy but thought-provoking "Gasoline", it's clear that Crow has more on her mind these days than soaking up the sun or having a little fun, à la the Tuesday Night Music Club era. Yet there's not a groan-worthy song on this standout rock/pop/folk/blues album. If the themes are heavy (in addition to the political songs, there's an almost painfully tender lullaby for her son Wyatt and one, "Make It Go Away [Radiation Song]," that touches on her breast-cancer experience), the mood is cathartic, determined, hopeful at times and sad at others. "Now That You're Gone" grabs at clarity through the clouds of a devastating love affair and gets it, and "Peace Be Upon Us" picks apart pettiness and arrives at a wide-minded beauty. George Harrison seems present in some of these songs, especially the more personal ones ("Drunk with the Thought of You," "Love Is All There Is"). And that may be the highest compliment that Sheryl Crow, who seems to admire his gentle soul and shares his big heart, could ask for. --Tammy La Gorce
Review
Since Sheryl Crow released her last album, Wildflower, she's had a rough time. Not only did she suffer a much publicised break-up with Lance Armstrong shortly after the couple got engaged, she's also fought off early stage breast cancer. The spirit that she's needed to survive such trials is writ large through Detours, her sixth studio album; a collection of tunes which, as you'd expect from an activist like Sheryl, doesn't wallow in her personal life, but chooses instead to investigate the wider world. Never one to shy away from the big issues, Crow has stated that these songs cover topics from the environment to the floods of New Orleans, though interestingly, the main thrust does not seem to be her increasingly political voice but an investigation of religion.
Maybe it's that brush with a potentially terminal illness or just a realisation that modern politics has as much to do with piety as it does policies, but from the opening pair of God Bless This Mess and Shine Over Babylon, to the ''children of Abraham'' in the chorus of Out Of Our Heads - a song which even without the reference would sound like John Lennon fronting the Salvation Army - and the inclusion of Islamic greetings in Peace Be Upon Us, there is an inescapable stream of spirituality and religious imagery that flows through the proceedings.
Thankfully, it doesn't get overly preachy, thanks to the few inclusions that do face her personal demons; Now That You're Gone is a strong redemption-from-love song and Love Is All There Is deals with loss in a suitably mature way. Not that she's above smashing a few plates, as the bitter couplet of ''Diamonds may be sweet/but to me they just bring on cold feet'' of Diamond Ring shows.
If Detours can be summed up in a single word, it is measured. With what Sheryl has been through recently, you could have forgiven an album that spoke of meltdowns and which castigated and caterwauled.
What she's actually provided is something grown-up, intellectual and toe-tapping, showing that after 15 years of solo work, she can still be every bit as vibrant and vital as her debut, Tuesday Night Music Club. Detours might not just the sound of an artist returning to her finest form, it could also be the sound of a career being reborn. --Chris Long
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Album was released today and as soon as i got up i went straight out to buy it, and boy am i glad i got up to do so! What a fantastic album. I have to admit although Sheryl is my favorite artist of all time i was quite disappointed with her last offering 'wildflower'. However it seems as though this album goes back to her original rock roots as seen on 'The Globe Sessions'
My favorite tracks have to be 'Peace Be Upon Us' and 'Diamond Road'
there have been comments made about it all being political. Yes many songs are but what I love is that it comes from the heart, at least she has the guts to express her point of view and what way to do it, in such beautiful songs. She also talks about her battle with cancer and her split from Lance Armstrong!
Whilst this review is probably no help to those deciding whether or not to buy this album all i advise is that if you enjoyed 'tuesday night music club', 'sheryl crow' and 'the globe sessions' then you will not be disappointed.
I highly reccommend this album!
My favorite tracks have to be 'Peace Be Upon Us' and 'Diamond Road'
there have been comments made about it all being political. Yes many songs are but what I love is that it comes from the heart, at least she has the guts to express her point of view and what way to do it, in such beautiful songs. She also talks about her battle with cancer and her split from Lance Armstrong!
Whilst this review is probably no help to those deciding whether or not to buy this album all i advise is that if you enjoyed 'tuesday night music club', 'sheryl crow' and 'the globe sessions' then you will not be disappointed.
I highly reccommend this album!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Have you ever wondered where Amy McDonald or KT Tunstall got their inspiration from? Well without any doubt Sheryl Crow has had a major influence on strong guitar and lyric driven music.
'Detours' is a high energy, big message return for Sheryl Crow, who's last effort Wildflower was too laden with strings and slow songs to create a big impact.
If you liked The Globe Sessions and Sheryl's second Self Titled albums then Detours is a quirky, intensely catchy combination of the two.
The album opens with God Bless This Mess, an acoustic roots based song about war and the invasion of Iraq, and whatever your view there are few female artists who would have the balls to sing so directly without huge musical backup.
The album progresses with smart beats, drum loops and fantastic lyrics 'Everybodies makin love, cause love is free', sure to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Some of these songs are modern updated versions of Everyday is a Winding Road and All I Wanna Do (from Tuesday Night Music Club)and sounds fresh and to the point.
A lot has happened to Sheryl Crow in the last 2 years, a broken engagement, a battle with breast cancer and adapting a baby boy. These changes are all played out on 15 wonderfully inspiring songs. Anyone suffering from cancer will relate to 'Make it Go Away (radiation song)' and take comfort from it.... 'I was a good girl, I cant understand how to make it go away'. Simple and heartbreaking.
This album has been described as 'a future classic' by american music magazines, and you can see why, its understated like a Neil Young record, has fantastic guitar loops that could easily fit on a Rolling Stones album from the 70's and has an emotional depth that Joni Mitchell would be proud off. Its a definite purchase for anyone with good taste in music!
Highlights :- Love is Free, Gasoline, Out of Our Heads, Diamond Ring, Make It Go Away, Shine over Babylon, Lullaby
It loses a star because it is too short! Keep an eye on this album, its sure to be a Grammy Winner in 2009!
'Detours' is a high energy, big message return for Sheryl Crow, who's last effort Wildflower was too laden with strings and slow songs to create a big impact.
If you liked The Globe Sessions and Sheryl's second Self Titled albums then Detours is a quirky, intensely catchy combination of the two.
The album opens with God Bless This Mess, an acoustic roots based song about war and the invasion of Iraq, and whatever your view there are few female artists who would have the balls to sing so directly without huge musical backup.
The album progresses with smart beats, drum loops and fantastic lyrics 'Everybodies makin love, cause love is free', sure to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Some of these songs are modern updated versions of Everyday is a Winding Road and All I Wanna Do (from Tuesday Night Music Club)and sounds fresh and to the point.
A lot has happened to Sheryl Crow in the last 2 years, a broken engagement, a battle with breast cancer and adapting a baby boy. These changes are all played out on 15 wonderfully inspiring songs. Anyone suffering from cancer will relate to 'Make it Go Away (radiation song)' and take comfort from it.... 'I was a good girl, I cant understand how to make it go away'. Simple and heartbreaking.
This album has been described as 'a future classic' by american music magazines, and you can see why, its understated like a Neil Young record, has fantastic guitar loops that could easily fit on a Rolling Stones album from the 70's and has an emotional depth that Joni Mitchell would be proud off. Its a definite purchase for anyone with good taste in music!
Highlights :- Love is Free, Gasoline, Out of Our Heads, Diamond Ring, Make It Go Away, Shine over Babylon, Lullaby
It loses a star because it is too short! Keep an eye on this album, its sure to be a Grammy Winner in 2009!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In Holland the Cd was available for a while now so I played it a lot last week.
bad thing is that the European version has 14 instead of 15 tracks(misses" rice up").
The start is great; an acoustic beauty about a family messed up cause of war, and it sounds like it comes from an old stereo or something.
Than I had the volume too high cause song 2. came blasting(kinda) , and those songs need to grow on you( well at least on me).
Drum programming and that kinda thing, and thats (for me) basically
the album, : great acoustic-based songs, : "god bless this mess", "detours", "drunk with the thougth of you","make it go away".
mixed with a little more "different"songs , like , "motivation","out of our heads" that made me think of ...Bette Midler. "peace be upon us "with arabic lyrics mixed in( peace-war issue), Gasoline( environmental issue).
So also the big topics are there.
The CD , well mine at least :( ends with a moving lullaby for her son Wyatt.
An acoustic song, and they are all great, and for me worth the buy.
The other ones I mentioned, had to grow on me, and , after a week playing it, they have, although I still do not like the drum programming on em.
But Sheryl Crow (to me)is a too good songwriter to ignore them just for that.
bad thing is that the European version has 14 instead of 15 tracks(misses" rice up").
The start is great; an acoustic beauty about a family messed up cause of war, and it sounds like it comes from an old stereo or something.
Than I had the volume too high cause song 2. came blasting(kinda) , and those songs need to grow on you( well at least on me).
Drum programming and that kinda thing, and thats (for me) basically
the album, : great acoustic-based songs, : "god bless this mess", "detours", "drunk with the thougth of you","make it go away".
mixed with a little more "different"songs , like , "motivation","out of our heads" that made me think of ...Bette Midler. "peace be upon us "with arabic lyrics mixed in( peace-war issue), Gasoline( environmental issue).
So also the big topics are there.
The CD , well mine at least :( ends with a moving lullaby for her son Wyatt.
An acoustic song, and they are all great, and for me worth the buy.
The other ones I mentioned, had to grow on me, and , after a week playing it, they have, although I still do not like the drum programming on em.
But Sheryl Crow (to me)is a too good songwriter to ignore them just for that.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Lacks focus
As is often the case, I came to this performer via her appearance with another artist, specifically Levon Helm and his 'Ramble at the Ryman'. Read more
Published 4 months ago by F. M. Muse
Moving and politically charged rock
This album shows Sheryl Crow battling demons of ex boyfriends, cancer and her personal beef with the American government. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J.Nuttall
great album
Sheryl Crow has come a long way since her days as a backing singer for Wacko Jacko but skip past the albums and awards, her personal life has since attracted more attention namely... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Earth Girl
Like a songwriters demo album
I've never understood why Sheryl is as popular as she is, when her voice is so 'generic female American songwriter'. I could probably name a thousand similar artists. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2010 by Mr. B. R. Good
Sorry Sheryl
Got every CD you've done but this ain't the best, a couple of good tracks but the break up with Lance has thrown your music mojo, Sorry Sheryl.
Published on 24 Nov 2009 by Johnny Buell
not back to her best,but back on track.
In short if your looking for the dark,grainy guitar led songs that she wrote up as far as the brilliant "Globe Sessions" you'll be disappointed. Read more
Published on 15 April 2008 by Farry
Much Better
This album signals a return to form for Sheryl Crow after her disappointing 'Wildflower' album. It is largely reminiscent of the hippy style of her first two albums, but musical... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2008 by Monsieur le B
Bill Bottrell, you made my day
It can't be a coincidence that Bill Bottrell produced Sheryl Crow's first two albums ('Tuesday Night Music Club' and 'Sheryl Crow'), and he also produced these most recent... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2008 by David Midgley
Her Best In A Decade...however much that says
At what point do you stop becoming a "fan" of an artist? For a brief moment around 1997/98 Sheryl Crow was my favourite artist. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2008 by IWFIcon
Back to her best!
I am a long time Crow fan and have been looking forward to her follow up to Wildflower for a while now. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2008 by P. McDermott
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