Lisa Loeb's latest OK,
but lacks radio material
Reviews: 'Brewed' offers collage
of country's best
Cougar Entertainment Services
Lisa Loeb and Sheryl Crow were at the forefront
of a revival of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s.
It seems now that the movement, led now
by Alanis Morrisette and Sarah McLachlan, has passed Loeb by.
Loeb's last album, <I>Firecracker<P>,
was a minor hit, but couldn't sustain the fame she gained in '93 with the
hit single "Stay (I Missed You)."
Loeb's latest effort is titled <I>Cake
& Pie<P>.
"People always ask you if you want cake
or pie," said Loeb. "Why not have cake <I>and<P> pie?"
Inside this cryptic little message is a
serious statement about Loeb and her career.
She wants to be a major star, but will
not compromise by changing the style of music she does.
Loeb has avoided trying to manufacture
hits, and predictably, this has led to her nearly falling off the face
of the music world. Without any significant radio
play, her concerts have suffered, and
the once big-time player is now looking for work.
All of this is a side note to her current
record, which is quite good. Loeb's trademark ultra-sweet voice and intelligent
lyrics shine throughout the record, with
able backup from her band, Nine Stories,
and some guests.
There isn't much variation in musical style
in Loeb's work, though it's hard to say if that's a lack of willingness
to explore or a conscious decision to stay with
her style.
None of the 12 songs on the album are hit
material, so this record will probably go down as a sales bust, though
it is solid.
The songs cover the gamut of relationship
topics from first love to ending a long relationship. Loeb's lyrics are
as witty and clever as ever as on "Someone
You Should Know," in which she sings,
"What you got isn't what you wanted/ What you need happens to be what you
got/ What you've always wanted."
Loeb collaborates with Dweezil Zappa, of
all people, who co-wrote two of the songs and plays guitar on most of the
record. Loeb's brother Ben lends his
talents to arranging and conducting the
string backgrounds on several songs as well.
Lisa Loeb
<I>Cake & Pie<P>
Geffen Records
3 stars
<I>-- Christian Schmidt
Daily Cougar Staff<P>
<I>Brewed in Texas<P> takes you straight
into the territory of cowboys ... Texas.
The album features many of the current
performers of Texas music and showcases the hit single "One Bud Wiser"
from John Rich. This stirring, rhythmic
number with its ringing guitar signature
and pleading lyrics recently won the WSIX Radio "SmackDown" in Nashville.
Besides Rich's single, this album also
includes songs like "Ol'Milwaukee's Best" by Adam Carroll and "Forget Thinking"
by Beaver Nelson. Texas music
artists, fans and the industry regard
Carroll as one of the most talented young songwriters and performers on
the scene.
Celebrated singer-songwriter Nelson has
built a rock-solid career with his brazenly poignant songwriting, versatile
bittersweet vocals and scintillating live
performances.
<I>Brewed<P> also features songs
from Hayes Carll, Cooder Graw, Cross Canadian Ragweed, John Evans and an
all-star team of Texas music favorites --
Kevin Fowler, Jason Boland, Clay Blaker
and Seth James -- on the classic country song "I Think I'll Just Stay Here
and Drink."
Apart from these, the album includes previously
released songs from Tommy Alverson, Slaid Cleaves, Roger Creager, Bleu
Edmondson with Matt Powell,
Eleven Hundred Springs, Wayne Hancock,
Cory Morrow, Reckless Kelly, Todd Snider, Jerry Jeff Walker and Rusty Wier.
<I>Brewed in Texas<P> is the second
Texas music compilation album to be released by Compadre Records. Last
summer, Compadre released the
successful <I>Texas Road Trip<P>
album that featured hits from artists like Blaker, Fowler and Jack Ingram.
There is a laid-back confidence that permutes
through this latest presentation. The
tunes not only pull punches but also haunt anyone willing to pay attention.
With the perfect combination of attitude
and a classic and exotic musical style, this album can entice listeners
to return for more than a single hearing. Music
lovers are starved for songs with righteous
intensity and melody, coupled with remarkable music.
Technology has helped create a movement
of music lovers who are getting what they demand and with <I>Brewed<P>,
it is undoubtedly supplied in
generous amounts.
<B>Various Artists
<I>Brewed in Texas<P>
<B>Compadre Records<P>
3.5 stars
<I>-- Shweta Rao
Daily Cougar Staff<P>
