Marshall Crenshaw Jaggedland Genres:Folk, Pop, Rock Over 25 years since breaking through to critical and commercial acclaim with his 1982 self-titled debut and its infectious, era defining Top 40 hit ³Someday, Someway,² Marshall Crenshaw creates an incredible new ... more »chapter in his stage and film-worthy life with this highly anticipated 429 Records debut. Jaggedland is a musically dynamic and lyrically intimate collection of songs creating a truly a career-defining record harkening back to the best and brightest from one of America's greatest songwriters and performers.
"One of the finest songwriters of his age - or, for that matter, any age."
Over 25 years since breaking through to critical and commercial acclaim with his 1982 self-titled debut and its infectious, era defining Top 40 hit ³Someday, Someway,² Marshall Crenshaw creates an incredible new chapter in his stage and film-worthy life with this highly anticipated 429 Records debut. Jaggedland is a musically dynamic and lyrically intimate collection of songs creating a truly a career-defining record harkening back to the best and brightest from one of America's greatest songwriters and performers.
"One of the finest songwriters of his age - or, for that matter, any age."
-The New Yorker
"My wife and I saw Marshall solo on June 11th and his self-review was that these were a bunch of "classy songs". And as excited as I was to see him live, he's half right, literally. Six of one and a half a dozen of the other on this album. The thing is, if you're a Marshall fan, he's probably touched your deepest sweet spot at some time in the past and therefore is the kind of underrated artist that you pull for without a second thought. I so much wish it were more than this, but it's only cuts 1, 2, 7, 8, 11 and 12 that go right to the next Best Of. As for the others, he's a great songwriter still in need of an equally great producer. Don't get me wrong, six new and great Marshall Crenshaw songs is a reason for celebration. But a great album this is not."
Marshall's Best Yet: A +
Famous Jonny Mambo | Carrboro, NC | 06/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Folks, it has been worth the wait...MC returns with 12 infectious Tunes that displays his diversity as one of the world's most accomplished pop musicians and talented guitarists. There are soaring pop songs, dark tales, blues, rockers, and a beautiful instrumental. Although I have an mp3 promo of this release, I am going to purchase the CD as I am guessing that the mp3 format is restricting the carefully-crafted sonics that MC wants to put across. In the best Crenshaw tradition, these tunes are addictive and satisfying. Thanks MC...I'm sure John Lennon would be proud.
Famous Jonny Mambo, DJ @ WCOM
"
Great Melodies!
T. Treat | California USA | 08/02/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Maybe my favorite CD this year. The whole CD is solid, but I think "Sunday Blues", "Jaggedland", "Right on Time", "Passing Through", "Never Coming Down", and "Live and Learn" are my favorites. There's something about "Sunday Blues" - what a great melody - it's been in my head for days. I hope to see him in concert this year - would love to hear these songs live."
The Poetry of the Turnpike
Timothy P. Young | Rawlins, WY, USA | 07/24/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Marshall Crenshaw once said that he writes a lot of his songs in his car. That makes sense--the groove-laden rhythm of his songs, along with his catchy melodies and lyrics, capture the poetry of the turnpike wonderfully.
His new release, Jaggedland, while not ostensibly a 'car' album, definitely shows off that side of his personality. We have the rhythmic, self-performed "Gasoline Baby," the languorous grooves of "Just Snap Your Fingers" and "Stormy River," and the catchy-but-experimental instrumental "Jaggedland," which suggests that frustrating start-and-stop we get during rush hour in any metro area.
The tunes are up to the usual standard--bright, crystalline power-pop with solid hooks, occasional country touches, and simple, evocative lyrics that deal mostly with the human condition, especially interactions with the opposite sex ("Call my name and I just stare a hole through you").
The surprise for me, here, was in the vocals--while Crenshaw can still do the bright, clear tones we've become accustomed to, on this album he chooses to sing to the song--the opening track, "Right On Time," serves as a stellar example of this--he starts off quiet, low but melodic, giving the song more gravity than it might have otherwise. Of course, when he does kick in that brightness it makes the tune that much more special. He's becoming an interpreter of his own material, and that's a very good thing.
Overall, while Jaggedland doesn't scale the heights of earlier albums like Marshall Crenshaw or Life's Too Short, it's a rewarding effort from one of the best practitioners of guitar pop of the last 30 years. Well done, Mr. Crenshaw."
What a wonderful recording
harleypsychRN | Abingdon, Maryland USA | 07/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't get some of these songs out of my head. Wonderful medodies by Mr. Crenshaw. I've been a fan of his for 25 years now and although I hadn't bought one of his releases recently, I decided to give this one a chance...and I'm so glad I did. Excellent, excellent melodic rock."