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Little Honey

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Lucinda Williams

October 14, 2008
After three great recordings in a row, something less than wicked this way comes, cliched and dreary . The presence of the 'guest artists' is a sure sign that the well's run dry. If this is what domestic bliss leads to, one can only - ungenerously - hope Lucinda's newfound serenity is short lived.

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Gossip In The Grain

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Ray LaMontagne

October 14, 2008
First time I've bought anything by this artist. Since buying it I have kept it in heavy rotation in my car CD player. His voice is very different, and his phrasing is wonderful. In some ways he reminds me of a young Van Morrison. I hope to hear more from him.

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Cardinology

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals

October 28, 2008
Wow...how does one go from the heights of lyrical magic (as heard on "Tiger") tearing your heart out over bad drugs, wounded lovers, and fragile recovery, and go to...this? "Cardinology" has every flaw seen in a scared, lazy, shallow album--songs that are familiar (but in a bad way--sooo predictable), crappy guitar-work with Godawful mixes, minimal tension and atmosphere....it's as if Senor R. crapped in his widdle pants and decided to frame it for the world to see. The steel guitar may actually be good, who would know, since it's buried in mud. Here's a laugh, I was actually thankful for the low song output on this effort, since it ended my pain. It's worse than bad...it's half-good. Ryan, wake up!

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Raising Sand

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
from: Rounder

October 23, 2007
This is one of my favorite CDs. Each song brings up a different emotion. Everyone I have played it for loves it. I play it over and over and enjoy it more each time.

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Learn To Live

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Darius Rucker

September 16, 2008
A Cd this great only comes around a few times a year, and Darius Ruckers CD would rank number one against most of them. This is one of those CD's you can listen to from start to finish without skipping a track. With his smooth vocals and great storytelling, any country fan who wouldn't pick this up would be out of their mind. Take my advice and pick up this GREAT country CD, you will not be disappionted.

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Break Up the Concrete

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: The Pretenders

October 07, 2008
The Pretenders have not made a great album since "Learning to Crawl" ... maybe it's time to try Rick Rubin.

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Our Bright Future

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Tracy Chapman

November 11, 2008
There is so much to love about this album--but it doesn't quite reach Tracy's highest standards of excellence. Tracy Chapman has one of the most distinctive and warm voices in music, and from a straight vocal standpoint, everything is as beautiful as it has ever been. Her vibrato is as strong as ever, no hint of effort on her part. Every note seems channeled from some inner well of grace. Her intonations are perfect--floating over her guitar at moments of emotional delicacy, punching on the beat when she decries injustice. Her lyrics are poignant, insightful, but not searing. She no longer sounds as angry as she once was, but just sadder. This is perhaps understandable--she is more than 20 years on from where we first her Talkin' 'bout a Revolution, ... Read More:

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Day After Tomorrow

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Joan Baez

September 09, 2008
"Day After Tomorrow" is an excellent Baez disc IMHO! Her song selections continue to be powerful. Her voice, while weathered, remains expressive and powerful. Patty Griffin's "Mary" has a lovely melody that Baez embodies completely as she finds inspiration from the example of the mother of Jesus, "Every time the snow drifts, every time the sand shifts, even when the night lifts, she's always there." Eliza Gilkyson wrote two tracks that Baez recorded. "Rose of Sharon" was originally on Eliza's CD Redemption Road. Steve Earle's acoustic guitar compliments Baez's voice that brims with emotion, "Rise up my love & come away, the rain is over & gone, you are the fruit of my darkest day." "Requiem" from Gilkyson's Paradise Hotel is masterfully sequenced ... Read More:

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The Village Sessions

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: John Mayer

December 12, 2006
This is a great JM CD if you are already a fan and are looking for that extra acoustic take on some familiar songs. I love the vocal rhythm changes in "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" and the soft guitar in "Belief" I definitely think that this offers a cool, chill feel to John's music, and is a nice tag along with "Where the light is?"

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A Christmas Celebration

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Celtic Woman

October 03, 2006
Has there been an album by Celtic Woman that hasn't offended me? No. But I've always bit my lip and shrugged it off. But this album really pushed me over the edge. I heard it at my cousin Bike's Christmas party last year- I couldn't believe what I was hearing! Are they deaf?, I thought to myself. I guess no one was paying attention to the lyrics- this album is filled with filthy innuendo! I am offended and disgusted! And they call this a CHRISTMAS ALBUM? I guess Christmas has changed... sigh.