This music rocks!
ShellyLynn | Westminster, CA | 10/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once you buy Love In the Ruins, it will quickly become the soundtrack of your life. Whatever you're feeling---ecstatically angry or mesmerizingly confused---this music will match your mood. Bonnie Hayes' songwriting style is both intelligent and amusing. Her songs are bawdy, caustic, and celebratory and her vocal range is incredible. Ms. Hayes is able to hit those high notes in one moment, then sing in a low and sultry voice the next moment. This CD is a party waiting to happen. You should buy it---people will suddenly like you and think you're cool!!"
Bright guitar rock in the Sheryl Crow-Tom Petty vein
woburnmusicfan | Woburn, MA United States | 06/25/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a Bonnie Hayes fan since I first heard "Shelly's Boyfriend" on the radio in 1982, and her "Good Clean Fun" album is still one of my all-time favorites. Her musical style has changed a lot from her new wave days, but she's as sharp a songwriter as Aimee Mann. I bought this CD along with new albums by other old favorites Richard Thompson and Procol Harum, and I'm enjoying this album more than the other two.This album rocks a lot more than 1996's "Empty Sky". Bonnie's been working on her guitar playing since then; her keyboards only make a few cameos here. The result is bright California pop-tinged guitar rock in the Sheryl Crow-Tom Petty vein. There are several songs about aging without necessarily becoming mature: "I Can't Stop", "Keeping the Hum Going", and "Still Wild" ("I'm still wild -- wilder still, now that I don't have a future to kill"). The latter two are my favorite songs here, along with sort-of love song "Stealing Roses". Hayes doesn't let herself off the hook any more easily ("I am reckless and I'm greedy/And I am hungry and I'm needy") than loser lovers ("Greener Grass") and ex-lovers ("Money Makes You Stupid"). In "Everybody Wins", Hayes stresses the importance of denial. Hayes' brother Kevin is the drummer on the album, and Bonnie co-produces with Steve Savage, who's been her producer for over 20 years now.(1=poor 2=mediocre 3=pretty good 4=very good 5=phenomenal)"
Stunning - Bonnie Hayes is the real deal
Bryan Tracy | Oakland, Ca USA | 06/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Ms Hayes last night at Sweetwater in Mill Valley. She played
for 2 1/2 hours straight and nearly caused the place to meltdown.She did most of the songs on this album - i don't know if i have ever
seen a more outstanding songwriter / performer / band. This CD is just great.The only thing better than this CD is to see Bonnie live.
Don't choose - do both!!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1