Mega Poo
Overall Album Score: 8.1 out of 10 I'm hardly the only person with the opinion that this album isn't exactly a masterpiece, but I do like it. So I have a pretty neutral stance. I can say I *appreciate* this album, which is world's apart from worshiping it. It is safe to say that this album doesn't represent the best of any of these songwriters. Plus, these works are more often boring than not. It doesn't start out too promisingly with "Carry On" which features an OK riff, but a frankly uninspired melody. While I like their harmonic Byrdsian vocals, I suspect they are just doing them out of habit without much regard to the actual song they're singing. At the very least, Neil Young makes two good contributions here, which tends to give life to this otherwise boring album. "Country Girl" is almost a masterpiece, and it's easily this effort's greatest track. The melody isn't special, but the mood is thunderous and piques my interest. Also, his "Helpless" is a pretty ballad that's only downfall is the lack of a truly endurable melody. The best melody of the album is probably "Woodstock" although that's a Joni Mitchell cover. (This is a good example of these guys' rather unfortunate limitations --- at least in the year 1970.) "Our House" tends to stick out melodically --- it sounds like they were trying to emulate the Beatles! But their efforts didn't prove to be so great, because that melody even grows old after awhile, which is something the Beatles would never do. Not all of this is a disappointment after hearing this group's original album, Crosby, Stills & Nash. But, well, it is sort of a disappointment. For example CSN has "Marrakesh Express" in it, and that song was fun. Why they had to axe songs like that for a boatload of ultra-serious and pretentious tracks is an attitude that I have a difficult time accepting. However, this album does have loads of fans who, incidentally, are also probably ultra-serious and pretentious!! (Actually that's true --- I've had some run-ins!) Both of these albums have a similar quality of songwriting --- There's not a poor or derivative track in either of those albums, and that's worth a lot more than I'm letting on!! At the very least, these guys are quite good with their instruments. That's not a great reason by itself to get an album, but at least this effort doesn't sound amateurish. Deja Vu is an accomplished album, and you have to respect it for that. But at the same time, I don't believe it to be incredibly inspired. This is the work of a "supergroup" who have nothing to prove. It's a fairly complacent record, and it could have used a good jolt or two of electricity. Overall Score: 8.1 out of 10 (I like this album. Put that notion into your head before sending me your e-mails! It's respectable but boring, and all I do is sit through it and nod politely. It would get a higher rating if it were more entertaining.) Average Song Score: 8.3 (A remarkably solid set of songs --- There's not a cheap track in sight.) Album Tilt: 8.0 (The fact that it's such a solid work should be enough to boost this rating to an 8.5, but I'd be lying if I said this didn't put me to sleep.) Artist Rating: 8.0 (They're good at what they do --- and they're aware of that fact. Why they have to be so serious all the time is --- um --- why hippies liked them so much.) Track Reviews Carry On 8/10 This is nothing if it isn't a solid track though not particularly melodic enough to really excite me. It does contain a decent riff, and some nice electric guitar line. They seem to rely this one quite heavily on some Byrds-esque harmonies ... which is OK, but that doesn't make this any more interesting to listen to I think. Anyway, this whole track feels like it was written by people bored of rock music. Yikes, and it was only one year after Woodstock! The development is alright --- but it's nowhere near as exciting as the opening track of their previous album. Teach Your Children 8/10 Er, slide guitar? They weren't going country in CSN! Clearly they're enjoying the Byrdsian country-rock those weirdos pioneered a few years ago. I always thought that stuff was pretty boring, but at least it's calming, and straight-forward. That is certainly worth something. But at the same time, it grows boring because it's so predictable. Whoever's responsible for providing the slide guitar throughout deserves a cookie. Almost Cut My Hair 8/10 I'm not sure about the purpose of this one ... whether it's a genuine political statement or a parody. Considering the personnel involved, I don't think this is a joke (since they do tend to take themselves *very* seriously). At the very least, this is a rather guitar heavy rocker although it's pretty dang slow. The guitar work makes up for everything. Helpless 8.5/10 The Supreme Being contributes this old song (you can tell it's Neil Young, because he's the only member of this group who has an annoying voice). I find it to be a pretty decent ballad although it doesn't go too far melodically. It's a nice, pleasant thing you can sit back and listen to. Good but not phenomenal. Woodstock 9.5/10 These guys have yet to impress me, although I do appreciate that they're genuinely trying to "rock" with "Woodstock." The track is poppier than the rest, which makes it easier to digest, and I do like the fact that the melody is a little better. For some reason, it took them covering a Joni Mitchell song to do that! (Come on --- Let's do another "Marrakesh Express" ... Be pleasant for goodness sake.) At the same time, this rocks a lot more than Mitchell's version! Their layered harmonies are bugging me for some crazy reason. I'm probably stupid, but I think this would have been better with just one singer. Screw the three-part harmonies. They're getting to be passe anyway... Deja Vu 8/10 This one is alright and fairly engaging if you give it the right chance. I have to stress that their melodies aren't great. They almost don't care about their melodies, which is a real downer. Anyway, the instrumental quality of this track does provide interest. It's also structured rather strangely, and I like it that they're not writing derivative music. Developmentally, I would be tempted to give this a 9/10, except it gets rather dull by the end. I want something a little more memorable and exciting, frankly. Our House 8.5/10 They're being uncharacteristically Beatles-esque now, and this also manages to be the most memorable original track of the album. The melody is pretty catchy even though it grows stale after awhile. It might have helped if they upped the tempo. The instrumentation is OK, but they're not doing anything special enough to further redeem this track. No great guitar solos or interesting arrangements or anything! Interestingly, I was reminded of Klaatu's "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" just now. That's a more interesting song... 20 + 4 7/10 20 + 4 = a popular television show. Math lesson over. I guess this is their obligatory boring folk tune. I have nothing against tracks that involve simply playing an acoustic guitar and singing, but not when they're interntionally trying to put me to sleep! The melody is OK and the mood is charming, but --- it's freaking boring. Oh well, it's a short track. Country Girl 9/10 I guess this proves that Neil Young was ultimately the strongest link of this group. His other solo contribution "Helpless" was also one of the nicest songs of the album. But this one sort of takes the cake. Finally, there's a song in this boring freaking album that makes me sit up and take notice of it. The melody isn't especially catchy, but it's good enough. Who cares about the melody anyway? It's the creepy mood that wins me over. It sounds like Neil Young actually has something to say, musically. It's epic, loud and overpowering ... they even import a timpani drum. Yeah... Watch me get so excited over a timpani... Everybody I Love You 8/10 For once, they decide to add an upbeat rocker. Although this track honestly isn't all it could have been. For the love of God, quit layering those vocals. That especially doesn't suit this song ... I know you're doing it to be a "signature" but I just don't like it. Otherwise, this track is OK. There's some good guitar. The melody isn't anything special, but at this point it doesn't matter. At least it's not a boring and slow country ditty. Put this piece-of-crap reviewer in his place here. |
All reviews are copyrighted by Michael Lawrence. He respects the classics, schunny.
