REVIEW: SHERYL CROW - EVOLUTION

3/5

A Change Will Do You Good 

A Crow left of the genre. On the same New Music Friday that sees Queen B Beyoncé drop the "R" to rule another genre like 'Texas Hold Em' with her 'Cowboy Carter' certified classic, country pop star like Shania and Swift, Sheryl Crow leaves that very genre for more rock and roll fame with her latest career 'Evolution'. After all, if it makes you happy...you know the rest. Just like all the Crow classics. This isn't the first time one of modern day America's greatest singer-songwriters Sheryl has pushed the envelope like the 'Visions' of Norah Jones earlier this month in her El Michels Affair spectacle prescription. Sheryl once shot us with a stirring Pierce Brosnan era Bond theme that shook up the world. And refusing to stay in one place, the rock goddess continues her growth and proof that tomorrow really well and truly never dies. If 2020 was the year of 'Women In Music' like Haim, or Taylor Swift heading to a 'Folklore' cabin in the woods, and great Brit Lianne La Havas giving us her self-titled, personal best lyrics lacing love. Then 2024. The year of the Girl Dad, late, great Kobe is the calendar that crafts creativity from the better half. Jones. The artist formerly known as Knowles. And now this queen. All before the new throne taker, Maggie Rogers, makes sure you don't forget about her in the April Spring showers for this Breakfast Club that's truly eating this first quarter.

The latest from Bey's hive is another almost hour and a half movie-making classic. This, on the other hand, is a half-hour of all power and a nice album that goes down easy like coffee on a Sunday morning. In promoting this piece, Crow admits that albums and their promotion are a waste of time and money. But nothing is wanted not here, showcasing her skill-set and the fact that real fans know. It's the album tracks that settle all that. Just like the concluding big-three of 'Don't Walk Away', 'Broken Record' and 'Waiting In The Wings' that make this epic 'Evolution' album what it is. This 90s megastar like the Chicago Bulls or F.R.I.E.N.D.S. was so big in the decade of 'Jurassic Park' like good old days, golden era blockbusters, she could have formed a supergroup with Shania Twain and the like, like a Travelling Wilbury. But who needs that, when Sheryl gives you everything she has each time out? This time, spearheaded by the singles 'Alarm Clock' (the opening wake up which might hit snooze), the self-titled 'Evolution', 'Do It Again' and the latest 'Digging In The Dirt' crate finding hit in this Big Machine of an Americana record. The first album since the social media ahead of its time 'Threads' in 2019 comes as a pleasant surprise in more ways than one. Sheryl said she wouldn't release another record after that because of aforementioned reasons. We're glad a change of heart here has done us all good.

The Genesis of Peter Gabriel help her dig for more than dirt in this gold album that would surely go platinum back in the day. Not just her heyday. Because Crow has still got it. Not when best, but still one of her brightest, this is a victory lap for Sheryl's inspired induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of the Fame. All in the same weekend, Beyoncé shoots for the country one with a stronghold. Armed up with her trusty guitar along for the ride in this evolution, never to leave her side, even in these times, Sheryl sings "And you could add up all the tears that fill a river/Or trace the words that break a heart/But you'd miss the blue jay and the message he delivers/Every moment has a brand-new start" on 'You Can't Change The Weather'. Perfect poetic prose, even though change sometimes can't come. No matter how much good, it would do you in the long run. Yet you've still got to 'Love Life' like the ever optimistic and outstanding songbook singer tells it in another anthem for the album we're glad she 360'd on from the pessimism like Carter's left turn. 'Where?' Right here, where you stand. In this very moment. Singing along to, "Waters rise up on the freeway/While little hands are clapping in the snow/And in the tree, there lives a blackbird/Singing songs not meant for anyone below." This is Crow's elevating 'Evolution' era. And we love Sheryl's version. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Don't Walk Away', 'Broken Record', 'Waiting In The Wings'.