Life > April 3, 2008

By Aubrey Sitler | Staff writer

It has been over five years since the Counting Crows last released a studio album.

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After such an extended break their latest addition to the collection can be described as nothing less than a success.

As the title of the band’s newest album suggests, the CD itself is divided into two parts: Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.

The first six songs (denoting the Saturday nights aspect of the album) lean more toward the pensive rock side of the Counting Crows’ sound.

Several of the songs have sounds reminiscent of their classics like “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here.”

They do, however, bring new and interesting twists.

The latter eight songs focus on a sound which is much more country than the one with which the band is usually associated.

Although this section of the album is complete with notable lyrics and memorable music, I found myself wishing that the songs had been more equally spread out throughout the album.

I got a little bored with the slow pieces, often forgetting that I was, in fact, listening to the Counting Crows.

Overall, despite the quality of music on both sections, the dividing line between the Saturday nights section and Sunday mornings parts happens too abruptly with very little transition between the two.

As usual, the lyrics mainly consist of Duritz’s own sullen observations about life.

Occasionally, his tortured perspective on his eccentric lifestyle which comes through in his lyrics seems to be a genre bordering on emo, but the style of the music itself helps to steer clear of achieving any such classification.

“Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings is the story of what happens when all the bright lights start to burn instead of glitter and you become more of a part of the shadow they cast behind you than the person you are in front,” explains lead singer/lyricist Adam Duritz about his group’s fifth studio album.

“It’s about a flood of sin and liquor and dissolution and insanity and it’s about trying to rebuild the life you wrecked in the wake of that flood.

“It’s about the way it feels. It’s about me.”

Although Duritz’s own explanation of what the album is supposed to provide help in stringing together the attempted central theme, it almost would have been better to just let the music exist without a rationalization present in the title of the CD.

Anyone who appreciates the Counting Crows for what they are know to expect reflective music intertwined with rock melodies motivated by Van Morrison and Bob Dylan.

It also may be a bit difficult for Duritz’s target audience to really relate to some of his sentiments unless they, too, often find themselves waking up in Amsterdam or meandering around Dublin on the average morning. But really, what is to be expected from a guy who spends his time jetting and partying around the world? His insights are perfectly perceptive and thought provoking, extravagant though they may be.

Overall, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings is both a musical and lyrical success on the part of Duritz and his band mates.

Already, it has been well received by the public, earning its place as the number one downloaded album on iTunes.

If nothing else, this latest release is proof that the Counting Crows are officially back and are, as always, a band of progress and revolution.