Michelle B. (Memphismomma) from MEMPHIS, TN Reviewed on 8/9/2006...
Sophomore effort, and though still good, not the quality of "Cracked Rear View".
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Took Seven Years to Appreciate It
08/09/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this album after its original release in 1996, and disliked it greatly. At the time I was twelve and had grown fond of their poppy tunes I had heard on the radio. After purchasing 'Fairweather Johnson', I was, more or less, bored. The songs are slow and not quite as catchy as their previous attempts, and for about seven years I placed this on my shelf and allowed it to collect dust. For some odd reason I picked this album up about two weeks ago and popped it into my stereo. I felt very much the same as I did seven years ago. Then I listened again and heard the words. The lyrics are deep, the songs are sentimental, and now, seven years later, I can truly appreciate what this album is all about. Yeah, it's slower, but the songs have meaning. Ironically, 'Old Man & Me' is one of my least favorite tracks on this album, though I had enjoyed it when I first bought this album. It may take a while to grow on you...in my case it took nearly a decade, but I'm glad I gave it another chance. My favorite tracks (in no particular order):
Tucker's Town
Sad Caper
Let it Breathe (my personal favorite)
Fool
Tootie
So StrangeGive it a chance. That's all I ask."
A truly excellent CD
C. Foster | Clarkston, MI United States | 12/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fairweather Johnson is one of those CDs that you buy because you like the one or two songs played on the radio, but you're fully prepared to hate the rest of it and be ok with that. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that I loved the majority of songs on this CD. I saw a VH1 special where Hootie played these songs acoustically, and it was wonderful and convinced me to buy the CD. Now, it's one of my CD changer regulars--the ones where you can listen to the entire CD without constantly reaching for the remote to skip songs. My personal favorites are "Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn" and "Let It Breathe." The CD is mellow in most places, but it reflects a maturation in song writing ability compared with Cracked Rear View. Those looking for a repeat of Cracked will be sorely disappointed. Johnson has much more depth and emotion. This just may be Hootie's best CD of all."
EXCELLANT SECOND ALBUM
C. Foster | 10/10/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Certainly no second album syndrome here, with track's like 'tucker's town', 'old man and me' and 'so strange' makes you wonder why it was ever overlooked in the first place.
other track's 'let it breath', 'tootie' and 'when i'm lonely' will (like their debut) keep you listening for month's to come."
One of the very best albums of the '90's
Quentin Xavier | U.S.A. | 06/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sure, we all remember when Hootie had their hits like "Time," "Only Wanna Be With You," "I Go Blind," etc. But it is this album, Fairweather Johnson, that amazes me so. The lyrics are intense, emotional, poetic, and tender. The music is dynamite, and very atmospheric. You can almost imagine this album being played at an old blues house in Connecticut under a cliudy sky. This album just puts you in that mood, that dark, lonely mood. Darius Rucker's voice is amazing. His talent is so underappreciated in an age where it seems rock has been taken over by metal-head, whiteboys who think they can rap. This album is a breath of fresh air to that formula, because it is so old fashioned. Songs like "Sad Caper," "Old Man and Me," "Earth Stopped Cold At Dawn," and "Tucker's Town" are wonderful tracks that really grip your heart. Themes range from death,age, and of course lost love. "Sad Caper" is without a doubt Hootie and the Blowfish's best song. It's really too bad the public didn't pick up on this album, because it is a masterwork of this genre of music. It may take time, but this album will gain it's much deserved recognition, and it will become a classic. It is simply one of the '90's best albums."