Search - Chris Smither :: It Ain't Easy

Chris Smither will ruin all other music for you

03/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all of the music I own, Chris Smither's work lands in the top 3 of my most prized albums. His cheek-full lower tones rise to a full force shout as the emotion in the music changes. All the while, his hard driving acoustic pinger picking keeps the rhythm and melody, casting a spell all its own.As one magazine reviewer noted some time ago, the music is the work of a very complex sensibility. Much more going on here than meets the eye, and I find that each time I listen to a song, I discover something I hadn't noticed before. An inflection, a melodic sweet spot, or a glimpse of Chris's subtle humor. Outstanding. 5 stars is not enough. I also recommend "Another Way to Find You".Wait till you have a bad day, week, month, or year (get fired, divorced, audited, whatever) Take both albums, buy yourself a fifth of scotch and settle in on the couch in front of the stereo. You'll come away with a new perspective."

Stripped Down Blues

10/05/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the Chris Smither album to buy if you want to hear Chris play without accompanyment. Chris' other albums are wonderful in their own unique ways, however, there's nothing like the sound of Chris playing with his old Epiphone guitar. His later albums employ the use of a cheap Alvarez that looks cool, but has no soul. That having been said, this album most faithfully recreates his live sound in a way none of his other recordings even approach. When a singer/songwriter is limited to his voice and guitar (and foot--for percission), he has to say a lot with very little. And Chris' sound speaks volumes on this LP. A must own for the Chris Smither fanatic, and previous concert attendee. My favorite song on the album is "Sittin on top of the World." Chris is simply the finest singer/songwriter in the United States. Unparalleled in performance--singularly gifted in crafting intellegent lyrics full of pathos and good 'ol fashioned blues tales."