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Turner68
I think Substantial Damage sounds great not too derivative at all
We must remember "Tell Me"'and "Brown Sugar" et al were also derivative to a point
There is nothing retreaded about this album in my opinion.
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Doxa
Okay, now since the thing is finally officially released, let's say a few words about it.
The great thing about the record is that it shows that Keith Richards is finally matured up as an artist. One in content with himself, not needing Mick or the Stones to fulfill his musical visions. CROSSEYED HEART is pure Keith Richards, exercising in the musical waters he is in love with. A man in his autumn years, not having any need to 'prove' anything for anyone, all that is said and done years ago. Now it really is: I just play whatever I want and just for my own fun. The music sounds so relaxed, just like it was done: no deadline, no more endless saturdays night sessions, but just some nice little Sunday afternoon fun with friends. It is the genuine, effortless feel in the album that charms me most. Probably something to do with him playing with the idea of retirement, and dropping the guitar playing for a year or so - it all sounds so fresh; the guy restarting and rethinking his own game.
The album works best when listened as a whole. Individually the songs are not very memorable (I don't think there is any striking song in the album). But the songs support nicely each other, and make together a coherent musical statement of its own. That is: this is kind of rootsie, genuine, authentical (whatever you call it) music Keith Richards loves most (or only), and wants to share with us. A kind of text book of the old musical genres that took before the late-seventies (the last being that of reggae), and before all new music turned out to be 'crap' (if we are to believe Keith Richards' teachings). Uncle Keith now really put into action all those talks he has said along the years. In a way Keith is in the same place as he once started with Brian Jones and Mick Jagger: introduce the 'world' of this wonderful, authentic music one couldn't see much - or at all - at the pop charts of the day. Or if we like: CROSSEYED HEART is 'old man's (using 'poor man' here sounds inappropriate) EXILE ON MAIN STREET' - a new, updated interpretation of Americana.
But probably because Keith Richards is not any longer hungry or needing to make music for living or anything, but just entertaining himself, the music in CROSSEYED HEART has no ambition, or the drive he, with his old pals, once had. It is a kind of lazy man's music, almost muzak - Keith sounds like a kid in the candy shop - taking the genres and characterics he most likes, and without any hesitation or second-thought, shares those sweets with us. We are not EXILE-like developing those into something novel and unique, but like staying there as close to the original sources as possible.
Here comes the dilemma of authenticity: Keith is genuine and does music he loves, but that is doomed to be replica or pastishe-like. The title song - a good introduction to theme and feel of the album - is a charming Robert Johnson-pastishe. But the question arises: for what we actually need this piece, if we already have all those Robert Johnson records? Ironically, decades ago this same man took one of Johnson's own pieces, added there a chord, and come up with an original sound rock classic. And that also added people at the time to know about this wonderful musician (like Keith with his pals helped them to know people like Muddy Waters and Jimmy Reed). But now we all - who might be interested in Keith's album - do know Robert Johnson, and now we recognize "Crosseyed Heart" being a reference to him.
Probably it is that Keith is so deep in his own musical world and has so many decades loved and studied so much these authentic genres that he has lost some of his own originality? (And among that, a helluva lot of his skills as an interesting song-writer).
Probably that is the biggest problem I have with the album. I love each and every of the 'authentic' genres that are presented in the album, but since I am familiar with the originals, Keith's efforts are doomed to be a bit generic. He doesn't really add anything to what I already 'know' (and many time is just a lame copy). I am rather sure that Keith will not charm any 'real' C&W, blues, reggae, etc fans, but probably 'just' Keith Richards - and to an extent Rolling Stones/rock - fans.
So the issue finally is: how much we adore/appreciate/stand Keith's personal sound or ability to interpret? The attraction is "Keith Richards doing blues, country, reggae, etc.' It is his persona, his sound, his voice at stake... how much we all are in love with that/him... I think Keith plays (surpisingly) fine, and sings alright, but that's about it. Probably I am just too tired with his cliche-like pirate persona that the music that comes across, no matter how genuine his feelings are, does not much talking to me. Keith, no matter how much charisma he has, has no as a solo artist a Bob Dylan-like presence. I find the album an easy-listening one (even a bit too much), but not very memorable. It is a bit too obvious, and I think it lacks some depthness and strong, serious song-writing, to really charm one's imagination.
But CROSSEYED HEART is a coherent piece of work, much better than I expected, and adds nicely to Keith's legacy as now this old spokes-man of roots music. Three out of five.
- Doxa
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DandelionPowderman
Doxa, some interesting reflections there, but it seems you are leaning on the pr hype rather that the songs? Because there are only a few pure roots songs on this album.
CH is pure blues, LO is pure reggae, RB is pure country, LP is pure soul, GI is pure folk and BITM is pure r&b.
What's important to me is that the rest of the album, those nine original songs, are, well, just songs... They are heartfelt, with lyrics from real experiences, fragile and honest. I belive Keith used the "tip of the hat"-songs to structure the album. They ARE not the album, like you're portraying here.
So, what we're left with then, if you take this from a different perspective, is Keith telling stories, in a singer/songwriter way, really. Much like a deeper continuation of Life.
The hailed Talk Is Cheap may be purer, but CH gives us a more profound and honest picture, imo.
Some of the lyrics are heartwrenching (Just A Gift, Suspicious). Others, like Amnesia, we can just imagine the frustration. Nothing On Me takes us back to 1977 and 1967.
Expecting more than this from Keith Richards (71) is pretty demanding. He could retire tomorrow with a smile on his face after leaving us this statement, imo. Because that's what it is: a musical statement and a very personal one, too.
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keefriffhards
Excuse me Doxa SO WHY THE 3 out of 5
Your showing yourself up, and making a fool of yourself
You lose all credibility when you say you were stunned how good the album was when you first heard it , you say it surprised you so positively
Take back the 3 out of 5 please
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redowen66
I cannot quite believe what I'm reading in some of these posts. I had completely given up on Keith; I thought he'd shot his bit creatively. But this album is astonishingly good. The ballads are things of true organic beauty, the rockers rock like bastards. What more do you want? The arrangements make use of every drop of Keiths experience and the lyrics slip down like a good bourbon. Even Keith's singing is as good as we've heard.
I got misty eyed listening to 'Blues in the Morning' - pure joy. And there isn't another white guy on the planet who can pull off a reggae track as convincingly.
I am over the moon that a musical hero I had written off has come back from the dead in such an authentic, moving and stirring manner. Huge respect to keith Richards!
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keefriffhards
Excuse me Doxa SO WHY THE 3 out of 5
Your showing yourself up, and making a fool of yourself
You lose all credibility when you say you were stunned how good the album was when you first heard it , you say it surprised you so positively
Take back the 3 out of 5 please
Never mind the numbers... I probably had a bit tougher criterion and context in my mind. Add there an extra one if you like... In the category of Keith Richards solo albums I would give it a four, TALK IS CHEAP five and MAIN OFFENDER one or two.
Well, the album surprised me positively because, firstly, in the long run, I didn't expect anything from him at all, and secondly, in the short run, from the base of "Trouble", I was afraid we are going to get another, boring MAIN OFFENDER 'keeping up appearances' kind of album. I always salute novelty, and ability to reinvent oneself, to come up with something new.
Losing my credibility? From when on I have had any credibility?
Besides, I am not any 'real fan', if that's the issue. Especially in regards to Keith Richards if the criterion is the one I see prevailing much here. I guess I once was, but that was a long time ago...
I just preach here, against all the winds, the holy art of criticism, trying to find some other descriptive means to talk about things I am, seemingly and unfortunately, obsessed with, than just stating 'man, that is wonderful, I love it ' and 'that sucks, I hate it'... It is a bit tough job in the middle of True Believers.... But I'm used to it...
- Doxa
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keefriffhards
Thanks DOXA i really enjoyed reading that but i have to say you sound at odds with yourself, almost schizophrenic. Are you two people fighting against yourselves
You almost sound guilty for liking it, and then you slap yourself in the face and say to Doxa, 'but its Keef', it cant be that good
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keefriffhards
Thanks DOXA i really enjoyed reading that but i have to say you sound at odds with yourself, almost schizophrenic. Are you two people fighting against yourselves
You almost sound guilty for liking it, and then you slap yourself in the face and say to Doxa, 'but its Keef', it cant be that good
Man, you really got me! I guess it is always two things fighting in me, a cheerleader fanboy and a tough critic.... And I do feel schizo sometimes!
An addition: the worst are those moments when I theoretically (critically) thinking find something great or having no faults at all, and I supposed to like it, but still I don't.... With Keith Richards I have these feelings sometimes, and that makes me wonder do I appreciate the man anymore at all... Then I put, say, EXILE on to remind me why I respect this man so much....
- Doxa
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keefriffhardsQuote
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keefriffhards
Thanks DOXA i really enjoyed reading that but i have to say you sound at odds with yourself, almost schizophrenic. Are you two people fighting against yourselves
You almost sound guilty for liking it, and then you slap yourself in the face and say to Doxa, 'but its Keef', it cant be that good
Man, you really got me! I guess it is always two things fighting in me, a cheerleader fanboy and a tough critic.... And I do feel schizo sometimes!
An addition: the worst are those moments when I theoretically (critically) thinking find something great or having no faults at all, and I supposed to like it, but still I don't.... With Keith Richards I have these feelings sometimes, and that makes me wonder do I appreciate the man anymore at all... Then I put, say, EXILE on to remind me why I respect this man so much....
- Doxa
lol its the same with me the other way around
Keith can do no wrong with me, but i see his mistakes, his fluffed lines and missed notes
All the mistakes and cringy keithisms turn into realness, a sort of purity within imperfection
it just makes him like life itself, full of love and promise but somehow ultimately flawed
Its hard to explain lol
Cheers Doxa
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Jackda
Rockers are perfect and varied (Heartstopper, Trouble, Blues in the Morning)
Pure Soul tune is perfect (Lover's plea)
Duet is perfect (Illusion)
Blues tune is perfect and fun (Crosseyed Heart)
Country tune is excellent (Robbed Blind)
Reggae is perfect (Love Overdue)
Mid Tempo Rockers are excellent (Nothing On Me, Something for Nothing)
Only Just a Gift seems a bit under and should have been replaced with a faster tune ( pure Keith/Jordan version of One More Shot ?)
What else ?
It deserves 4.5/5 stars for me (-0.5 for the balance between ballades and Rockers)
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keefriffhards
I also think Keith will do some gigs eventually when he see's how well received this album is
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Turner68
Sometimes when I read people complaining about how a 70 year old man doesn't play like he is 28
I wonder if a big part of the energy isn't coming from their own frustration at ...
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open-g
Crosseyed heart is like a box of chocolates with diverse flavours.
a bit of everything, and all Keith.
it's great to listen to it in it's entirety , start to end.
Mon plaisir
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Bashlets
Jackda, NO NO NO
Dont dismiss JUST A GIFT. My wife and I are already booked to see a psychologist over this one. LOL.
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open-g
Crosseyed heart is like a box of chocolates with diverse flavours.
a bit of everything, and all Keith.
it's great to listen to it in it's entirety , start to end.
Mon plaisir
WELL SAID. Best Album anyone has done in many years.
Proves Keith still has it. Love the Entire album.
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Marhsall
I bought the BestBuy version today...since my Pre-order from last month has yet to arrive.
On top of that I did the bundle package with pic's only to be informed they are out of those so I have to wait an additional 30 days!
Anyone else dissatisfied with their preorder
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Bashlets
Jackda, NO NO NO
Dont dismiss JUST A GIFT. My wife and I are already booked to see a psychologist over this one. LOL.
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keefriffhards
I also think Keith will do some gigs eventually when he see's how well received this album is
I really hope he read this
But I doubt he would came to France. I was a bit too young to go to Paris alone in 1993.
At least there is still a little hope, few monthes earlier I wouldn't have expected to have any chance see him without the Stones in my life.
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Hairball
I can't shake Suspicious out of my head...hauntingly beautiful.
While the tune itself might be considered simple* by some, the lyrics are deep as a gorge.
The chick singing/echoing/whispering along with Keith's words 'break up' and 'shake up' is perfection.
*“Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity” - Plato
And simplicity is part of the reason this entire album works so well for me.
No over the top production and no BS.
Looking forward to more individual tunes getting stuck in my head, but the album as a whole has already become somewhat of an obsession.
And while it's no secret I think the album is astonishingly brilliant,
for what it's worth I do have a little input (not a criticism) at this time.
Perhaps Crosseyed Heart could have been a minute longer, and Substantial Damage possibly a minute shorter...or maybe not...
That's all I've got....
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latebloomerQuote
hot stuffQuote
open-g
Crosseyed heart is like a box of chocolates with diverse flavours.
a bit of everything, and all Keith.
it's great to listen to it in it's entirety , start to end.
Mon plaisir
WELL SAID. Best Album anyone has done in many years.
Proves Keith still has it. Love the Entire album.
I think Forest Gump said it best.