C'mon C'mon: Classic Rock with some modern twist

2002 - C’mon C’mon

Part two of my five-set series brings me to Sheryl Crow’s fourth album: C’mon C’mon. Released at a time when Brittany Spears and Christina Aguleria ruled the pop world, now how can a 40 year old singer/songwriter compete on the charts without giving up her love of true music? This is how folks: Sheryl Crow created an album that is truly rooted in the past but produced for today’s radio, along with the help of Jeff Trott and John Shanks she created her fourth masterpiece.

In a way, this is the light to the 1996 eponymous album’s darkness, tailored for the Spring the Summer. This album, like the second album, throws in some unexpected instruments along with some stream-of-conscious lyrics. Sheryl Crow has brought along a list of stars in order to help her out, luckily these guest enhance Sheryl, not drowned her out.

The album kicks off with a Steve Miller fueled blues-rock tribute to the famous actor Steve McQueen. Instantly one can notice the sound of the 70's resonating through the tune as she spits out lyrics at command, even making reference to “All I Wanna Do” and Lynard Skynard’s “Freebird”. Sheryl lets out of her rebel yell towards the bridge before finishing up one the same note the song began on. Ms. Crow returns to her love of absurd lyrics on “Soak Up the Sun”, making a note to introduce us to her communist friend and her lack of digital television. Liz Phair lends her deft-tone but still enjoyable voice to the background.

“You’re An Original” brings along fellow Roots Rocker Lenny Kravitz for the ride. The two really work well together considering they play similar music, both rooted deep in that of the Classic Rock arena. Obviously this song is directed to all those “blonde-pop tarts”, but Sheryl never comes out and states that, her sly words and smoky voice leave the song loose-ended. Kravitz’s voice really blends well with Sheryl’s, a true delight. “Safe and Sound” is one of those songs that became a post 9/11 anthem, it’s a soulful ballad played mainly on the piano. The title track features the Queen of Classic Rock herself: Stevie Nicks. “C’mon C’mon” is a Country-twanged tune about a lover who needs to break Sheryl’s heart for nostalgic purposes.

Don Henely of the Eagles joins Sheryl on “It’s So Easy”, another piano-lead track about an affair, penned by Sheryl and her sister. The lyrics find Sheryl returning to her story-telling roots that crowned her one of the decade’s most successful stars. Songs like “Over You”, the promising “Diamond Road”(with Stevie Nicks again) and “It’s Only Love” (sung with Gwyneth Partrowl) are somber little numbers that have a very catchy pick-up.

“Lucky Kid” has a cool rebellious spirit with the word “wasted ” being throw along in the chorus before chanting “oh, oh, oh, oh”. Coming off as a pseudo-Joan Jett vibe with a very Stones like ending. “Abilene” is like the Country-counterpart to “Oh, Marie”, the twang is heighten by Natalie Maines, of the Dixie Chicks fame. “Hole In Pocket” sounds like an Alanis Morisette song, which isn’t too far from the truth. The tune has a very catchy hook at the chorus as Crow babbles on about a lost love, but she doesn’t seem hurt, rather amused at her wild antics.

The superior song is saved until the very end, a duet with the American Cosmic Music Queen herself: Emmylou Harris - “Weather Channel”. A dark and somber song sung like a crystal whisper, the two women talk about a serious depression that has left them hopeless and wanting answers form someone.

Sherly still holds true to herself even in the new millennium, she’s still making great and popular music without looking at a dance number or flashy video. This album just marks her one step closer to Musical Icon-ness.