Further into the void.
Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 12/05/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Let me start by saying that Howard Jones was the first artist I bought with my own money, at age 11, back in 1984. He started me on this journey of collecting music over the last 25 years. I saw him open for the Eurythmics at Red Rocks in August 1984. I saw him again at Red Rocks as the headliner in June 1985, and once more as the headliner at Red Rocks in May 1987. Absolutely great shows that are forever etched in my memories.
However, after 1984's "Human's Lib" and 1985's "Dream Into Action", Howard deviated from his strengths as a musician. I learned to appreciate 1986's "One To One" and 1989's "Cross That Line", but they weren't as strong as his first two albums. 1992's "In The Running" was a further departure away from Howard's strengths, going virtually acoustic and adult contemporary. Since 1992, Howard had struggled to reconcile his music with his hardcore fans like myself. Each album amounting to bits and pieces of genius rather than an entire album's worth like his first two albums.
So with this in mind, I listened to "Ordinary Heroes" multiple times searching for something to like, but this cd is just dull. I know Howard is 54 now with grown children and all, but come on. Where's the old spirit? His last album, 2005's "Revolution Of The Heart" was supposed to be a return to his roots, but something fell flat, and now "Ordinary Heroes" is a re-tread of "In The Running". Dull. This isn't to say terrible, but I am annoyed that Howard sees fit to continually use songs he's already recorded on his new albums. Case in point: "Revolution Of The Heart" was on his 2003 hits package and then reappeared again in different form on "Revolution Of The Heart" album, and now "Someone You Need" from 2000's "Perform '00" album and here it is again in slightly different form masquerading as a 'new' song.
The songwriting on "Ordinary Heroes" is average, and the execution even more so. I didn't feel one emotion while listening to this new album, and in fact dreaded listening to it all week long. I shouldn't feel this way about a Howard Jones album. The best song here is "Someone You Need", but as I said, that song was done back in 2000, so no wonder its the best song on this album. The only other songs that sort of had a memorable melody were "Collective Heartbeat", "Fight On", "Ordinary Heroes", "Love Never Wasted" and "Soon You'll Go".
All of the songs have this limp adult contemporary production with strings and orchestra here and there, but Howard never comes alive here. You can argue that he's matured, or he's giving us thoughtful music here, but I've heard great adult contemporary music with great lyrics, and this isn't it.
Here's how "Ordinary Heroes" compares to Howard's other works:
1984 Human's Lib: Five Stars
1985 Dream Into Action: Five Stars
1986 One To One: Four Stars
1989 Cross That Line: Five Stars
1992 In The Running: Three Stars
1994 Working In The Back Room: Two and a Half Stars
1998 People: Three and a Half Stars
2005 Revolution Of The Heart: Three and a Half Stars
2009 Ordinary Heroes: Three Stars"
A Reflective And Expertly Composed Howard Jones CD !!
Brien Comerford | Glenview, Illinois United States | 11/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Ordinary Heroes" is tenably the finest Howard Jones' CD that has been released. Its ten tracks are wonderfully cohesive and the song transitions are great. Howard's refined vocals and reflective lyrics are optimal. He's a renowned pacifist who focuses on peace, hope, conciliation, sorrow, encouragement and redemption. The songs are perfectly accompanied by Howard's piano prowess and majestic and poignant strings. Every song is exemplary. " Straight Ahead" and "Say It Like You Mean It" brilliantly commence the CD. The tunes that could be radio friendly hits are the compelling and infectious "Collective Hearbeat" "Someone You Need" and especially "Ordinary Heroes." The CD closes with two emotive tracks namely "You Knew Us So Well" and the magnificently tender finale "Soon You'll Go."
Howard Jones is a longtime advocate of human rights, animal rights and universal peace and harmony. It's a genuine pleasure to hear superlative music and vocals performed by a quality human being. Other sterling and relatively recent HOJO CD's are "Revolution of The Heart" and "In The Running.""
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1