Search - Neilson Hubbard :: Why Men Fail

SONGWRITING ON A PAR WITH THE BEST OF 'EM

More M | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 05/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"WOW! Some great stuff here. I bought this disc on the strength of his last disc (which I found in the used bins). Elements of pop along with a country feel. This disc is more of the same, only better. The songwiting here is definitely on a par with the likes of Counting Crows, Jayhawks, Son Volt, etc. I wouldn't be surprised to see major-label artists (like Mary Chapin Carpenter)wanting to cover these songs in years to come. Lots of slower, acoustic, melancholy songs that build up to good choruses. Lots of emotion, touchingly delivered sometimes in a whisper. Is that why men fail? When they get too emotional? A great line from track #1, "Hotel life isn't clean, but it's the quickest way to remember how good things used to be." You believe the guy's actually stayed in some pretty dingy rooms, and probably composed the song in one. "Wonderful Pain" could easily have come from the pen of Steve Earle. And then he turns around and delivers outstanding power pop on "The Last American Hero." This disc is another example of the great stuff coming out of Nashville that isn't from the corporate country hit-making machine. Buy this disc if you like the above mentioned artists, and I don't think you'll be disappointed."

Quality album deserving of a major label backing...

Matthew Barr | Nashville, TN United States | 02/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Neilson Hubbard has matured his writing, his voice, and his overall sound to become one of the finest musicians never heard of. A beautiful and honest album, "Why Men Fail" has a textured and full sound thanks not only to Neilson, but also his full cast of supporting musicians, including Garrison Starr, Clay Jones, Will Kimbrough, Peter Holsapple, and a host of other talented musicians. "Why Men Fail" covers energized power pop with songs like "The Last American Hero" and "Surrounded," and then gracefully shifts to meloncholy beauty with "Beautiful Yesterday," "Hollywood 1995," and "Wonderful Pain." One can't help but recognize Neilson's connection to The Counting Crows on this album, as his words and sound share Adam Duritz' musical passion. You may also enjoy Neilson's sound if you like such artists as The Counting Crows, Travis, Coldplay, Galaxie 500, and Luna...Neilson has that indie pop flavor. This is sure to be one of the best albums of 2001 that you've never heard of."