Buying a Pig in a Poke ?
Coco Pazzo | 12/01/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Long ago, the expression "buying a pig in a poke" was applied to those who paid for something essentially sight unseen, on promise or the word of another. In many ways, the same could be said about this CD because Amazon doesn't tell you how many songs/tracks it contains, or even what their titles are. So, to let the pig out, lemme tell you that for your money you will get a grand total of three songs: the title track (also from the full album "This Desert Life"); Mercury (from "Recovering the Satellites"); and Goodnight Elizabeth (ditto). Also no lyric sheet. That's one new song outta three (assuming you haven't paid another $2 to get the complete Hanging Around CD), tiny, tiny print, and recordings that probably wouldn't have made it onto the first album. They're coasting and living on their reputation. And Geffen is asking you to buy this pig (and Hanging Around #2) on faith and hope. Now you know what's inside the jewel case and on the CD. If these three songs make your got to have list-- part with your money."
Awesome!
hugh_odonnell | 07/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For a start hangin'around is a great track from the This Desert Life album. But Counting Crows - known for their excellent live performances include to live B-Side tracks, Mercury - "This is not a song about love, this is a song about addiction" as Adam stresses! And Goodnight Elisabeth with some wonderful guitar and piano intro's. Definetly worth getting!"
Pretty damn good
Laurence Doyle | Surrey United Kingdom | 06/22/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Crows have always been one of my favorite bands, and though I often don't buy singles, I decided to make an exception to hear Mercury (a track I previously was fairly ambivolant over) live, as well as one of my favorite Crows' songs, Goodnight Elizabeth.It didn't disappoint.Crows have always been referred to as a live band, and this is an excellent example. The two live tracks are spectacular, not to mention the classy (and cathy!) Hangin' Around (track one of 'This Desert Life')Well worth a buy; even for those cynics who never buy singles!"
Track Listings (3) - Disc #1