This album was released in 2004 (I know, ancient history, but bear with me). Citizen Cope (aka Clarence Greenwood) puts out interesting music; I think of it as a cross between alternative, indie, and reggae. As a result, the music takes some getting used to - his voice is raw, but filled with emotion. However, with extremely catchy music and really well-written lyrics, the album is a great listen. You might not love it immediately, but it's always worth coming back to years later (like I just did!). Considering the album artwork isn't anything noteworthy, we'll get straight into the songs!
1. "Nite Becomes Day" - The album starts off with a song that, though it speaks of some dark things, is essentially hopeful. The narrator sings that "things have been getting real heavy [and later, hectic] these days." He blames the media world, as well as the violence that humans inflict on one another. However, he finds hope in "the same thing that makes the night become day": love. Upbeat piano and a funky beat make this song a great start to the album.
2. "Pablo Picasso" - Definitely one of my top three favorite songs on the album. The narrator is insane, there's not much else to say. He sings about the woman he is in love with--in fact, she's a mural or massive poster: "The woman I love is forty feet tall." In fact, "she's the only one alive who knows that I'm not crazy." Though this is a disturbing idea, Greenwood goes about the song in such a down-on-his-luck, happy-go-lucky way that it's infectious. Expertly incorporated piano and drums, along with an excellent melody change about 2/3 of the way through make this song one to sway and bob to.
3. "My Way Home" - "Pablo Picasso" bleeds right into this song, which is essentially a continuation of the previous song. There aren't much lyrics to speak of. The narrator simply states that he's going to find his way home, no matter what is in his way. Though the music in the background is great, this song could definitely classify as filler, but it's enjoyable filler to be sure with an undeniable joy and determination coursing through it.
4. "Son's Gonna Rise (featuring Santana)" - This song is one of the most urgent on the album, and Santana's guitar work is an excellent accent (I think the guitar is the speeding car). The narrator is driving--fast. After all, his wife is entering labor in the back seat. This inspires urgency. The narrator speaks reassurances--though it's not entirely sure who he's reassuring. It could be his wife, it could be his child, or it could be him. Infectious choruses make this solid song one of the most energetic on the album.
5. "Sideways" - Another of my top three favorite songs on the album, and easily the most popular and commercialized on it. The song is so catchy, so undeniably sweet and sad at the same time, that it's almost not fair. The narrator sings that his feelings for his love are impossible to get rid of, and that "There's no words to describe it, in French or in English." The simple instrumentation of the song in the verses (mainly acoustic guitar) leads into the more impactful chorus (strings and piano add on to create musical awesomeness). This song is just flat out amazing.
6. "Penitentiary" - This song is not one of my favorites, because it's pretty repetitive. However, the lyrics are well written. Greenwood sings that he looks forward to the day people are free of all expectations in terms of how they live their life: "When the penitentiary is on fire." It's not a bad song by any means, and the music is great (dance-worthy and almost sensual, much like fire itself) but it pales in comparison to "Sideways." No song can really follow "Sideways" and hope to measure up.
7. "Hurricane Waters" - This is another of the few love-ish songs that Greenwood has sprinkled into these tracks. He sings of how he would carry his love "through the hurricane waters" and how he'll "remember [her] in the blue skies." Past that, however, there is an uncertainty to this song, as though Greenwood loves his significant other, but their relationship is not free of question. As always, the music in this song just makes you wanna move around, with piano and percussion creating some outstanding beats.
8. "D'Artagnan's Theme" - Another of my top three favorite songs on the album, but it has gotten virtually ZERO attention. The song starts off beautifully with piano and acoustic guitar, and that's how the song continues--beautifully. The lyrics are the epitome of beautiful simplicity. Greenwood sings of how he is caught up in the chaos of life, and of how he is just trying to mind his own business. Past that, "Well I don't know how else to say it." The chorus is absolutely wonderful. It's not as high profile as "Sideways" or "Bullet and a Target," but I would say that this song is my favorite on the album.
9. "Bullet and a Target" - Definitely the song with the most punch, politically. The song talks about our imperialist tendencies and how they have gotten us in a lot of hot water, in terms of having international friends. In fact, Greenwood bluntly states, "People wanna bomb us." Brutal honesty, much? He restates this later, with more humor and with some great wit: "What you've done here, is put yourself between a bullet and a target." Catchy, energetic, and bold. What's not to like?
10. "Fame" - The commentary on life continues in "Fame," which is essentially about all the different types of people that hope to make a living and a name for themselves in America. There's the con man, the guilty man, the innocent man, the buffalo soldier, the man at the "Spider Man" premiere... an endless variety of types of people, all wanting the same thing. The song is about desire, and the music emphasizes this message really well through a slow, lumbering, almost tired-sounding melody. Greenwood knows how to craft a song.
11. "Deep" - A simple, relaxing instrumental song to close out the album.
There's something about Clarence Greenwood's voice that is completely and undeniably human. It's raw, very raw-- he wouldn't be winning any vocal talent shows, or making it past the first audition for the first matter. But he sings with such emotion that his voice is, in my opinion, much more powerful than the voice of someone who has been trained. This album is the perfect chill-out album, one to listen to while you drive or while you lay back to forget about life for a while.
Here's a link to his Myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/citizencope
Until next time, enjoy the music :)
P.S. Spread the word about the blog through word of mouth, Facebook, giant banners in the sky, anything! I'd love some more readers :D
No comments:
Post a Comment