Counting Crows

Editor's Review:

The Counting Crows are back with their fourth effort, This Desert Life. The album is a little more grown-up, a little more twangy and contains just as many depressing lyrics focused on lost love, hatred of fame and distrusting people. Frontman Adam Duritz has become famous for his jilted, yet ever-hopeful view of life, and this album is an inside view to witness how much they have grown musically since their first release, August and Everything After, and remind you what a great sounding band the Counting Crows are.

Buying the album might make you feel a bit cheated by the paltry 10-track line-up, but each song is a story enhanced by Duritz's dreamy vocals, the exploratory use of the Hammond B-3 organ, slide guitar and sitar that provide a beautifully painted picture for the ear.

Their successful combination of R&B, folk rock and rock 'n' roll allows the Counting Crows to again create an album that millions will buy, relate to and appreciate. The band has put a little more emphasis on straying from their Dylan-esque consequential lyrics, deviating from their influence of The Band and Van Morrison, and put more focus on the combination of guitar and drums, showing a definite country influence.

But, as always, the combined efforts of the band members has created a album to be played over and over, relishing in Duritz's gift to write lyrics that let you know someone else can be more depressing than you. But those lyrics that depress you are so well-written and moving, it's hard not to feel the love for Duritz and that crazy head of dreads.

-Laney Erokan
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Record Label Geffen Records Released November 1999

Tracks Hanginaround Mrs' Potter's Lullaby Amy Hit The Atmosphere Four Days All My Friends High Life Colorblind I Wish I Was A Girl Speedway St. Robinson In His Cadillac Dream