Detours (studio album) by Sheryl Crow

1. 55
2. 90
3. 100
4. 65
5. 90
6. 95
7. 80
8. 65
9. 75
10. 65
11. 90
12. 50
13. 70
14. 50

Detours feels just like that - a detour for a 90s rock artist gone soft pop in recent years. While it sounds more stripped down and guitar-driven when compared to the previous output, it's still not quite the same as back in the 90s. There is a significant improvement in terms of variety and tempo though. The amazingly infectious Love Is Free is one of the happiest songs I've ever heard (and Out Of Our Heads comes pretty close to that as well) while Peace Be Upon Us is an experimental piece combining some oriental elements with pop-rock. Then there are a plethora of more country-oriented songs as well, which form the bulk of the album, such as the Bob Dylan-esque Gasoline or the fashionable Diamond Ring. Then there are songs with plenty of attitude as well, such as Motivation.

The lyrical content sees Crow once again sing about peace, love and understanding with political and religious allegories. Still, she isn't trying to preach anything; instead, she simply spread love and happiness and does so incredibly effectively. The entire album has positive energy sprinkled over it, making it a great listen, even if it's not anything special or groundbreaking musically. It's the lyrical content and the musical variety that makes this one stand out among Crow's later albums.

From Eastwood 12/14/2014 14:24

Good folk rock/pop rock album. Best 10 songs average is 81,3/100 and the album can get good 80/100. I like Sheryl Crow, but this is a comparatively weak album. Some only just good songs and many average. Best song are ballads "Diamond ring" and "Lullaby for Wyatt" both 85/100, followed by "Shine over babylon", "Love is free", "Gasoline", "Out of our heads" and "Motivation" all 80/100. All other songs average 75/100.

I quite liked Sheryl Crow's previous album "Wildflower" when it was released, but unlike her classic albums "The Globe Sessions" and "Sheryl Crow" ( to a certain extent also the underrated "C'mon C'mon" ) it soon ended on the shelf and has rarely been brought forward since then. It's not that it was not a good album, it probably just was not that interesting, and perhaps "Always on Your Side" is the only really memorable song on it.

I'm still not quite sure how it will be with "Detours", though I have a strong feeling that the album through more inspired songwriting at least will be able to compare with her debut album and "C'mon C'mon".

Musically it is a varied album and lyrically Crow is dealing with personal as well as important political issues.

The quiet acoustic opening song "God Bless This Mess" has a straightforward approach to it, which somehow reminds me of Bruce Springstein. It has become a favourite of mine, and I imagine it could be song well suited for campfire singing.

Quite a shock when the album continues with the heavy single "Shine Over Babylon" - also one of the best tracks in the vein of the "Globe Sessions" material.

"Love is Free" and an acoustic sing-along track which I foresee that I'll often skip over in the future. Fine vocal break towards the end, though.

"Peace Be Upon Us" is another catchy classic Crow song, featuring a female guest vocalist singing in Arabic - a great track.

"Gasoline" is more cool classic Crow - a song that would fit Mick Jagger and Rolling Stones perfectly - they really ought to cover it.

I don't think I would have guessed "Out of Our Heads" was Sheryl Crow had it not been on this album. She sounds very diffently on this track, which is another catchy hippie-type sing-along song. Sounding very British with George Harrison-influenced guitar-lines.

The quiet title track is another favourite. Nice country type song, somehow reminding me of another favourite female songwriter, Suzanne Vega.

"Now That You're Gone" is a solid soulful bluesy song. The waltzy "Drunk With the Thought of You" is on of my least favourite songs on the album; musically not very interesting.

"Diamond Ring" is better - heavy but very slow - has a nice chorus, though. "Motivation" I guess I would rate alongside "Drunk With the Thought of You" as musically not very interesting.

Fortunately the next songs are much stronger. "Make it Go Away", dealing with the grave subject of cancer is musically quite different from Crow's usual style and she sings the song with great conviction. "Love is All There" is another catchy tune and an obvious choice for a single. Great optimistic Travelling Wilburys arrangement. "Lullaby For Wyatt" is what the title says, a quiet lullaby written for her son Wyatt.

So with at least a handful of new really great Sheryl Crow songs the album should be able to please most of her fans; vocally she is as strong as ever.