Sheryl Crow - Wildflower

Genre rock Publisher A&M Records External Links Official Website A&M Records

Here's another oft-maligned female singer-songwriter, though one with considerable less baggage than the recently reviewed Liz Phair. Sheryl Crow may not have ever had any indie-cred, being a devout roots-rocker and all, but that hasn't stopped her from receiving constant brow beatings from critics.

Crow comes from well-seasoned stock, staking her claim later in life than most (her first success came post age 30 with Tuesday Night Music Club). She continues to buck trends by showing considerable vitality, both on the pop charts and as a sex-symbol (at 43 she looks better than women half her age, cosmetically speaking), as well as fodder for the media re: her hyper-publicized romance with uber-racing champion Lance Armstrong.

And, while many will say that her latest album, Wildflower, is Crow's obvious attempt at full-fledged Adult Contemporary, a cursory examination of her entire catalog reveals a singer-songwriter waist-deep in contemporary adult song craft. There is nothing on Crow's latest album that wouldn't fit in conceptually with any of her previous efforts. Each album is filled to the brim with pretty melodies, heartfelt vocals, the occasional tough-girl posing, and strong musical backing. It's all gussied up with ultra-slick production, a thick gloss lacquer finish that goes down easiest for mass consumption when heard through the magical vessel known as "radio."

Yeah, she's a little more maudlin here, there's a bit of the symphonic thrown in for a grander emotion that Crow can't get to lyrically, but her voice is impeccable, siren-esque if you will. She hits those high notes with aplomb and can cut through all the bullshit in a single note with it.

No one song sticks out here though. It's wall-to-wall maturity, with little sign of the carefree Crow of "Soak Up the Sun" from her last effort, C'mon C'mon. This is Crow in Grammy-winning mode, I'm afraid, a sturdy, dignified effort sure to be given kudos by her so-called musical peers. And though Wildflower is engagingly confectionary, its sugary goodness is fleeting, hardly enough to be considered fulfilling.