Search - Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers :: Levitate

Stand still for the turkey. Stay loose for the squirrel.

Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 09/26/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Normally I give Bruce four or five stars per album, but "Levitate" is the first album of his (well, second, along with 2002's "Big Swing Face") that I just can't give that many stars. I liked "Levitate" as a whole, but only half the album really grabbed me. I will always give Bruce five stars for experimentation, originality, innovation, and pushing his audience to broaden their horizons. To me, that makes a great, legendary artist. Yes, legendary, because, in my not so humble opinion, Hornsby smacks down Elton John and Billy Joel as far as popular pianists goes (and I like John and Joel, mind you).



"Levitate" starts off great with the pestilence history lesson of "The Black Rats Of London". It stomps its way into your brain with infectious drum patterns and 'hoorah, hooray' for the black rats of London. But it's "Prairie Dog Town" that really shines here. Not afraid to rap it and hip hop it with the help of Snoop Dogg and The Neptunes, Hornsby shows he is truly fearless (and humorous as well). After the furry critters comes "Cyclone". I tried to like this song about virility and youth as one ages, but musically it did not strike a chord with me. However, "Continents Drift" is as beautiful a metaphor for a long loved relationship as anything he has written. "Paperboy" is just weird. About a serial killer perhaps? It sounds like a Steely Dan leftover, and musically it just didn't fit for me. "Invisible" is a great 'ignoring stupid people' song with a catchy beat and melody line.



The title track, "Levitate" is another great 'stand up to challenges to be successful' song from Hornsby. And then things fall apart. "Here We Are Again" is just okay, nothing special. The worst track here is by far "Space Is The Place"--this just might be my least favorite Hornsby track of all time. "Michael Raphael" is just okay. "Simple Prayer", while humorous in lyric, is rather bland on melody. At least things close on a high note with Hornsby's portrait of southern living on "In The Low Country".



I just can't seem to give this more than three stars because there are only six good songs, and technically that would rate two and a half stars (or half of five stars), but I am being generous by going for three stars here. Hornsby will always be in my top ten artists of all time, but even the best have off days.



Here's how "Levitate" compares to previous Hornsby albums:



1986 The Way It Is: Four Stars

1988 Scenes From The Southside: Five Stars

1990 A Night On The Town: Four Stars

1993 Harbor Lights: Four Stars

1995 Hot House: Four Stars

1998 Spirit Trail: Five Stars

2002 Big Swing Face: Three Stars

2004 Halcyon Days: Five Stars

2007 Camp Meeting: Four Stars

2007 Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby: Four Stars

2009 Levitate: Three Stars"

This disc balances "Big Swing Face" and "Halcyon Days"

T. Cole | Alexandria, VA | 09/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bruce and the Noisemaker's newest disc, Levitate, is a very solid cut that seems to incorporate the adventurism of 2002's "Big Swing Face" with the more mainstream sound of 2005's "Halcyon Days" and continues the band's tradition of strong songwriting. Ever evolving as an artist, Hornsby's albums all have a distinct sound from the preceeding one, and even between album songs themselves. (This attribute may alienate some fans of radio tracks, but it keeps Bruce and the band relevant to the world, and treasured by fans craving music inspired by the ear rather than the focus group, and makes each live show an unforgettable, near religious experience.)



"Levitate" is no different. Bruce's signature lyrics that span between cringing and inspirational. 'Prarie Dog Town' is the most catchy song on the disc, but 'Black rats'. 'Cyclone', 'Continents Drift', 'Here we go again' will have you wearing out the repeat button on your player. Most importantly, the entire disc just seems to work as a whole album if you listen to it a few times. In these days of a la carte song marketing, this is a rare feat."

Hit and Miss, But Generally a Winner

David R. Seid | Fairfax, VA USA | 09/17/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Speaking as more of a fan of the "old" Bruce Hornsby (the Spirit Trail and earlier releases), I have been disappointed in many of his more recent ventures. As such, I ordered "Levitate" with great hesitation. While I have to admit that many of the tracks that others have mentioned being the standouts were not as much so for me, I *loved* the title track, and also found tracks like "In the Low Country," "Invisible" and "Prairie Dog Town" to be rather catchy. It is nice to see Bruce et al return to fine form on most of the album. While there were some less than stellar tracks, I think on the whole this fan is a happy camper."