Beautiful
Naomi | Toronto, CANADA | 10/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening through this album is like travelling through a beautiful landscape. As stories are told by Eric Stuart's warm, convincing voice, I can easily envision them in vivid colors, and I love the overall gentleness that binds the whole album together. Of all his CDs I have heard, I think this CD is the best in terms of its integrity. The whole thing, including the cover, is a beautifully crafted piece of art. You don't have to be a fan of country music in order to enjoy this album, because his music is not confined by certain rigid styles. His songs have a way of appealing to anyone who listens."
Unsurpassed quality--no other group does all this!
B.E.W. Dragon | Edinburgh | 02/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Eric coins the term "concrete country" to describe his music, which defies classification. Most of his songs have an obvious classical country sound with varying degrees of that old time rock'n'roll. The result is fresh and unique, with something for everyone. But it isn't the genre that grips you--it's the attention to detail like you've never heard before. Each song is stacked with layer upon layer of quality, quality, quality. The first thing that strikes you is Eric's voice. As an accomplished voice actor, Eric can deliver a top-notch musical performance with an added emotion specific to each song. In The Last Word, he sounds like a mischievous boy on the verge of laughter striving to keep a straight face in order to deliver his sarcastic remarks. No one else can do that and sing at the same time! The next thing you'll notice are the catchy tunes. At the end of Paint the Town, there are a few bars of "don dee don don." No real words there; none are needed--I guarantee that during your boring daily grind, you'll start singing it to yourself, and the tune alone will make you smile. Now, the voice and tunes would be enough to sell it, but ESB takes it further. Closer listening reveals that the lyrics can stand on their own as good poetry. One part of Hand-Me-Down Love goes, "Some say this outfit suits me; I should button my lip, but our common thread hangs loosely, and it's causing me to slip." How many extended and multiple meanings can you find in these few, quickly sung words? Finally, the instrumentation is as carefully crafted as the other layers, with parts that change and develop along with the flow of ideas in each song. The Bottom Line contains two humorous examples: a sprightly violin part is used to convey the idea of laughter, and later, when Eric sings, "you'd better knock on wood," he really knocks on wood! In conclusion, each song is a masterpiece, and I can't imagine the amount of time, effort, and care that went into every line. No other group does all this! Also check out their other two albums: Blue Dressed in Black, and Bombshellshocked!
Blue, Dressed in Black
BombShellShocked
Pokemon: Christmas Bash
Pokemon Movie Collection (The First Movie/The Movie 2000/Pokemon 3)
Yu-Gi-Oh! - The Movie
Shadow Hearts"
Pure Country meets Roots Rock for true heart and footloose f
E | 05/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A sharp wit for lyrics, divine vocal gift, and unceasing dedication to superior music come together for the most intelligent and inspired songs I've ever heard! He doesn't wear a cowboy hat, but if you're aiming for good music, this Brooklyn boy is a deadeye gunslinger that shoots from the hip! Make no mistake; Eric Stuart is a God-blessed songwriting genius and vocal virtuoso! His clever lyrics take the most indescribable feelings you've had and bring it home, dead-on every time. His voice is specifically adapted to capture the mood of each powerfully emotional song. Though his musical style has as many different shades as a full spectrum rainbow, there is always pure country for true heart and roots rock for footloose fun! Prepare yourself to hear a devotion to quality and gift for music like there has never been--this King of Kings County has the Midas Touch!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1