Counting Crows haven't released a new album in four years (and counting). They released a greatest hits compilation to summarize four studio albums and have now released a three-year old show cobbled together from a three-night stand at Heineken Music Hall. Can you say contract fulfillment? Of course, longtime Counting Crows fans will remember the ban got a bit bloodied in the press for releasing a double live album after having released only two studio albums so make out of this what you will (guitarist Dan Vickery says the band is hart at work on a new album).
Setting aside whatever questions one might have about the motives, New Amsterdam is a solid live album.
Counting Crows have long been in the habit of re-arranging and reinterpreting their songs in a live setting - the song you hear on the radio or on the CD is not likely going to bear much resemblance to the way it is performed in concert. The Crows did not invent the practice and it is one that is loved, loathed, and debated by music fans on message boards all across the Internet.
When Counting Crows reinterpret one of their songs, Duritz has an annoying habit of going out of his way not to sing a single note the way it was sung on record (or the way it would be sung if he were to try to sing on key). This particular vocal style is made more maddening because Duritz's voice can be an acquired taste on its best day. The overwrought, earnestness hits you like a sledgehammer and it has rubbed some people the wrong way. This is just one reason the band has worn the "pretentious" label for years.
It might be impressive that he can sing a song differently every night but damn him for doing it! On Amsterdam, Duritz is mostly under control and mostly on key. By not overdoing it, he allows his voice to work within the confines of the arrangement. By playing it straight, he plays to his band's strengths because the playing is superb throughout the show. It should be - there are now seven band members (fast approaching E-Street Band size).
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
I've never been a huge Crow fan, some of their stuff is really pretty freaking good, and some of it sounds like whiney pretentious crap.
Tis weird that they released such an old show.
2 - Paul Roy
"When Counting Crows reinterpret one of their songs, Duritz has an annoying habit of going out of his way not to sing a single note the way it was sung on record"
Well put! I've always hated the way Counting Crowes sound live, because of the way Duritz completely fucks up the vocal arrangements of the songs. It's too bad because their music could sound pretty powerfull live especially if they rock out a little more. I love their first two studio albums, but everything after has pretty much sucked.
3 - Connie Phillips
This article has been placed at the Advance.net websites, a site affiliated with about 12 newspapers.
One such site is here.
4 - Tom Johnson
My wife is the fan between us, but I got to hear a bunch of this last week after I picked it up for her. Sounded pretty good - I actually like it when bands mix up the arrangements of songs.
Anyone on the lookout for bonuses, there are FOUR associated with this one:
Best Buy has "Big Yellow Taxi."
Barnes & Noble has an exclusive bonus track of "Blues Run the Game."
iTunes has an exclusive bonus track of "Black and Blue."
The UK version includes an extra track of "Mr. Jones."
5 - Alex
I think they are REALLY great live. I think it's really impressive that they do all their songs so differently every time I see them. If I want to listen to the album, I have the album. The live show is something wholly new and totally worth experiencing. They rule.
6 - Angeline Green
Just saw them last night at Riverbend. I was so excited, because they are one of my favorite bands. I have to admit that I wasn't crazy about them live. Adam Duritz changed the style, vocals, and overall feel of the songs so much that it felt inaccessible to me. I seriously wondered if he was stoned out of his head, because he managed to take one phrase for "A Murder of One" and finally condense it to a 5 minute repetition of 3 words ("I am feathered") that went on forever. There were brilliant moments that could have been heightened by a more consistent performance. I love it when a band alters the songs off the album to make it a little fresher and more personal. This, however, was overkill. It was like listening to a different band with different songs. I wasn't impressed, unfortunately, and probably wouldn't go back to see them again.
7 - Regina
Sunday, July 13th at 9 am EST - Only on A&E's PRIVATE SESSIONS - in an in-depth interview, Adam Duritz of COUNTING CROWS sits down with host Lynn Hoffman to discuss the ups and downs of fame as well as the release of their new album Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings. Plus, don't miss COUNTING CROWS exclusive performances including "Cowboys" and "Washington Square" off of Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings and their hit, "Roundhere", all on this week's PRIVATE SESSIONS