August and Everything After by Counting Crows (CD, Sep-1993, Geffen)

"Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices, the difference, of white on white... in between the moon and you, the angels get a better view, of the crumbling, difference between wrong and right... I walk in the air, between the rain, through myself and back again... why? I don't know... Maria says she's dying through the door I hear her crying......"

This is what I heard placed the very first CD I ever bought into my brand-new CD player, and I've always remembered the lyrics since that first night. This is the beginning of the first song on from "August and Everything After" by the Counting Crows. The song is called "Round Here", and it's the beginning of a nearly flawless album. Adam Duritz has one of those unique voices in the same league as Shannon Hoon from Blind Melon and Mark Sandman from Morphine. There is a distinctive inflection in every word they sing, seemingly drawing on every painful moment they've ever experienced, and transforming it into subtle emotion in every lyric. I've always like distinctive voices, and even more, I like original lyrics and songwriting. If you can write the lyrics of a song on a piece of paper and show them to someone who has never heard of the band or songwriter, and the person responds, "Did you write that poetry?", then you've got the keys for some good music. I'm also shallow at times and enjoy the catchy lyrics and unique rhythms, and that's what makes this album great. You can read the lyrics like poetry, you can tap your foot and be amazed how many instruments and influences the musics involves, and you can feel the emotion they're conveying in every song. This album has no B-side, every song is solid in every way. If you like "Blues Traveler" "Dave Matthews" "Morphine" "Blind Melon", you'll like this album.

"August and Everything After" was Counting Crows' first album, and, I think, their best. The songs collected here have a generally melancholy feel, but there are moments of hope, such as in "Mr. Jones" and "Rain King", and they stand out that much more against the grey backdrop. "Round Here", "Ghost Train", and (my personal favorite Counting Crows song) "Sullivan Street" have a haunting raw emotion to them. The album shows that the Crows are more than just their mega-hit "Mr. Jones", and is a classic for those who, like me, fondly remember the early '90's when this was released, as well as for those who had never heard of Counting Crows until they did "Accidentally in Love" for Shrek 2.

Even now, the Counting Crows are largely known for their single: Mr. Jones which sounded alot like an altered Hootie and the Blowfish number. That's the mistake people make: this is a brilliant band, much in the vein of R.E.M., who says so much that its almost overwhelming to really listen to the pain in the voice of lead singer songwriter: Adam Duritz. This CD will be destined to be one of the classic CD's of the 1990's, mark my word. Every track cuts with an edge that is suprisingly easy to get around and embrace. The other great single: "Round Here" still represents the 90's to many. One of the rare albums in existence where EVERY track is good, perhaps because it was the band's first album as the Crows and was sort of an omnibus. Highly recommended, and a bargain used at the $2.50-$4 price range in mint condition. Reviewed by Jeff of Macafeez

This is an excellent cd one of the best I now own thanx to ebay. Every song on this album is well written and well sung the band is tight and the voice of Adam Duritz is powerful and genuine. I would recommend this disc to anyone who cares to listen

This CD is my favorite all time CD's. My son introduced it to me on a trip to his home in Colorado Springs and I fell in love with it right away. I love the music, the sounds of the voices, the poetry. It moves me like no other. This to me is an all time classic. I think anyone who who loves good music and sentimental reality will love this CD and will love Counting Crows.