“Feels Like Home”
By Kim Moreau, Revelry Writer
Even before Norah Jones thought about recording a follow up to the unbelievably successful “Come Away with Me” released in 2002, critics and fans were wondering if she could make any album that would be comparable to her runaway hit.
She did.
“Feels like Home” delivers the sweet, breathy, melodic sounds Jones fans were awaiting.
Supported by a band of super-talented musicians, Jones creates a lush landscape of soft jazz sounds.
The trance into deep relaxation comes in songs like “Carnival Town” where Jones’ refrain “Is it lonely?” lulls listeners into her bittersweet world. Jones’s voice could carry any lyrics but by leaving the words sparse, Jones creates a much more powerful impact.
The entire album plays seamlessly from one song to the next, allowing listeners to be lost in Jones’ dreamlike world. Each instrument gets a moment to shine, with sweeping arrangements minus abrasive or out-of-place solos.
Jones wanders into country territories on her duet with Dolly Parton “Creepin’ In.” Sounding like it came straight out of the bluegrass land of Kentucky, Parton and Jones play well off each other, and her appearance prevents the track from sounding out of place.
On the album’s final track Jones tangles with the work of a jazz legend.
Using Duke Ellington’s “Melancholia,” Jones creates “I Don’t Miss You At All.” The track proves that this generation might have missed the era of jazz, but they still have a voice. The song is so gloriously beautiful Ellington himself might have been moved to tears.
Jones does not break any new ground on this album. But Jones already did. Her return to music’s glory days style has already broken barriers, and with this album it seems she was just reiterating the point.
But the repetition is sweet.
A
“A Crow Left of Murder”
By Leslie Branton, Revelry Writer
It has been two years since Incubus released an album. But now they are back full force with their latest release “A Crow Left of the Murder.”
The video for the first single “Megalomaniac” is on heavy rotation on MTV. The song and video are shocking statements about the current administration. Scenes of a vicious war hawk and images of Hitler convey the band’s conception of the president.
However, this single presents a false impression of the rest of the album. The band is known for changing styles from album to album, but the majority of this one seems to be in a more mellow groove than their previous hard-hitting songs.
Lyrically the band has matured and is taking on political issues. Lead singer Brandon Boyd proves he is truly one of the most talented and creative musicians on the scene, with his cryptically poetic lyrics.
Fans have been skeptical of the band’s sound since bassist Dirk Lance left the group. However, new bassist Ben Kenney from The Roots does an excellent job as Lance’s replacement. DJ Kilmore returns to give the band its known sound, but focuses on a more electronic sound rather than his usual scratching.
It is difficult to compare this album to the band’s previous releases. The sound is unexpected and fresh and lyrically covers a spectrum from love to politics.
Incubus hit it big with their song “Drive” in 2001, but any true fan knows that this band is much more than commercialized. This is music with a message in each song, which will challenge its fans to think and to really listen. “A Crow Left of the Murder,” is a welcome change from the simplistic rock music that is out there.
A