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 Many casual listeners to the Counting Crows have been searching for the "next Mr. Jones" ever since the band first broke into the mainstream in the early 1990's. While some want more of the old the small, active and impressive group of die-hard Counting Crows fans has been able to enjoy a constantly changing sound from album to album and show to show from the seven member band from California."Hard Candy" follows fans along that journey. You will not find Mr. Jones part 2, but what you will find is a vivid and distinctive sound on Hard Candy. The CD paints a picture of how memories are sweet but how they also are bitter. There is a little bit of everything lyrically in this album. You find some upbeat songs, and also songs that are flat out sad. Musically, Hard Candy is also wonderful. The band was at its musical peak. There really is no low point on this disk. From the opening chords of the title track "Hard Candy" to the outstanding finally of "Holiday In Spain", the Counting Crows have a album that will rival any they have ever put out. If you are a fan of older Crows albums, you owe it to your self to listen to Hard Candy.
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I really do. But after months of listening, its just not taking. I own everything the crows have released and about 20 boots they didnt. As a songwriter, Ive worshipped Adam Duritz. And I feel like as a fan, Ive really grown with the band through their first three albums and been right there with them, but this-- this is mediocre at best. If it werent Counting Crows, theres NO WAY I'd have even considered buying it. I certainly wouldnt have put so much effort into trying to enjoy it. Sadly, I think the love affair is over. "Hard Candy" squeaks out a few moments that shimmer, but its mostly weak tunes that are overproduced propping up a collection of throwaway lyrics. Eek, its enough to make you cry.
There is something wrong with this album. The Counting Crows are my favorite band, and their 3 previous albums are phenomenal, but Hard Candy lacks the very elements that make the other albums so great. The lyrics just don't have the perspective I've come to expect from Adam Duritz. Like most Counting Crows songs, the songs off of Hard Candy are a little on the depressing side, but none have the gut-wrenching desperation and the lyrical hooks that makes the previous albums work. Don't get me wrong; there are some really good songs like the 80's sounding New Frontier and the lyrically sound Miami. And none of the songs are awful. In fact, compared to almost everything else out right now, this album is brilliant. From a musical viewpoint, there is a lot of interesting and different things attempted on this album. Some work, and some don't. However, lyrically the Counting Crows haven't evolved on this album. Maybe after a few more listens I'll find some more redeeming qualities. I hope so. Be sure to keep listening for the bonus track, a cover of Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi. Honest.
