Few folks have made sleepy, 420-friendly, white boy rock with quite the pop acumen and skills that Citizen Cope displays here. Cagily smudging the lines between blues, hip-hop, rock and reggae, this former Basehead DJ has ... more »the easy, lackadaisical flow of G. Love combined with songs that rival those by Jack Johnson and (at times) Ben Harper. Every Waking Moment is a super smart-sounding refinement of Clarence Greenwood AKA Citizen Cope's work to date. In terms of production alone, it'd not be an overstatement to call this a breakthrough. The accompaniment to "More Than It Seems," for instance, mixes strings, backing vocals, vibes and a melodica, and it sounds perfect. --Mike McGonigal« less
Few folks have made sleepy, 420-friendly, white boy rock with quite the pop acumen and skills that Citizen Cope displays here. Cagily smudging the lines between blues, hip-hop, rock and reggae, this former Basehead DJ has the easy, lackadaisical flow of G. Love combined with songs that rival those by Jack Johnson and (at times) Ben Harper. Every Waking Moment is a super smart-sounding refinement of Clarence Greenwood AKA Citizen Cope's work to date. In terms of production alone, it'd not be an overstatement to call this a breakthrough. The accompaniment to "More Than It Seems," for instance, mixes strings, backing vocals, vibes and a melodica, and it sounds perfect. --Mike McGonigal
You just can't hate this record (don't need no hateration -
Jason S. Stokar | new york, NY United States | 09/12/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Every Waking Moment" is not a departure from Cope's first two releases, as he sticks to the mellow but musically flavorful style that is highly recognizable as his own. But we love it, and cannot get enough of it. Some of the best songs on this record are the title track "Every Waking Moment" reminicent of "Sideways," and the instrumental funker "Awe."
In August, when I was at a show of the Sony artist Goapele, I was fortunate enough to see Citizen Cope just hanging out with the audience watching the show (opener was his current tour pal - Alice Smith). He is an authentic musician and artist."
Citizen Cope - Every Waking Moment
T. Snyder | AZ | 12/02/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Every Waking Moment" is my first exposure to Citizen Cope (Clarence Greenwood) and I must say, I am really impressed; almost blown away. Well actually for the first three songs, I didn't really like his voice, but then I got used to it and now dig it.
It is mind-blowing how he is able to combine so many different genres of music into this album. It is impossible to define him to just one genre of music. You could say it's singer/songwriter, rock, acoustic folky rock, reggae, soul, R&B, gospel, blues, funk - that's a lot!
The songs themselves grow and grow on me with repeated listening. The musical landscapes and the textures-upon-textures create a dizzying effect sometimes. At times, the songs are completely funky, then completely soulful, always with a good groove.
On top of that, it's also nearly impossible to say who he sounds like. So he's very unique. He's clearly a very talented musician. I'd recommend this to fans of Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Michael Franti/Spearhead, Ray Lamontagne, G. Love, Jack Johnson, etc... but he doesn't really sound close to any of them.
Due to the great timelessness of the music, I think I might still be listening to this one a few years down the road, which is more than I can say for most new albums coming out. So I am definitely recommending Citizen Cope's new album to fans of good music. Give it a couple listens and you'll be engulfed."
A different Cope experience
D. Gouger | Pennsylvania | 10/19/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like many, I came into this album with big expectations, and initially, I was really let down. Yes, the lyrics are different, and yes, at first listen, the album sounds repetitive and boring.
BUT, don't give up on it. This album is definitely a "grower".
My favorite track by far is "John Lennon"..it sounds a little 'blah' at first...but once you let go of your expectations for this album, and you actually listen to the lyrics, you'll find it's pretty deep. In "John Lennon", the lyrics speak much of corruption, specifially political--which are the type of Cope lyrics I'm used to hearing. The percussion is great in this song as well.
Enough of my opinions. From a true Citizen Cope fan, my best advice is to NOT go into this album expecting every single song to stand out at you at first listen. Give it time, and you'll reap the reward.
Buy it! And even more, go see him live!"
Love this!
Coco Chanel | Chicago | 04/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think i first heard Citizen Cope on the tv show One Tree Hill. It was 'Sideways'The version with Carlos Santana,(check it out-on Santana's album) still my favorite Cope song. I am in LOVE with this guy. And a huge fan of the new cd. I cant remember the last cd i actually bought because i get my music through itunes or whatnot. but i HAd to have this one. I love 'Somehow', and 'Every Waking Moment' and 'All Dressed Up' Citizen Cope is super relaxing, chill music. And somehwat romantic feeling too."
Perfect
Adoring listener | usa | 02/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Citizen Cope is simply perfect as always. The album has many amazing and beautiful songs, like "More than it seems" and "Brother Lee." Brother Lee actually blew me totally away the first time I listened to it, and I still can't get enough. It seems like the song is about my own life... And it compares to Cope's other big hit, "Son's Gonna Rise." Cope is just perfect, that's all I can say."