Scott Deans | Redmond, WA United States | 11/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yesterday, I nearly fell headfirst into the carpet at the music store when I saw "Edwin McCain" on the cover of a new CD. It's been three long years, and I didn't think he would even release another album after the precipitous drop in quality of his last two albums. I was instantly nostalgic and welled up a bit, remembering how much his music has affected my life.
First of all, I'm a huge fan - likely one of his biggest fans. I must admit that I was wildly disappointed with "The Austin Sessions" and "Far From Over", his fourth and fifth albums. I feared he had lost the eager edge, the creative muse, the gritty passion that led to him to pen the songs that have moved my spirit so many times. As a musican and songwriter, I learned to play guitar by learning Edwin's songs, and my own work is heavily influenced by his acoustic heartfelt sound. Edwin was my musical hero for years during the releases of his first few albums, but I was concerned that his career was nearly over.
Well....he's BACK and ON FIRE with this record, and it is brilliant! Back are the beautiful melodies, satisfying woodwind textures, vivid stories, the soaring heartfelt harmonies that actually move you deep down in the heart, and the chills that creep up your back when he hits just the right note over just the right chord. I nearly cried when I came to the end of Track 13, feeling so satisfied with the music and relieved that my old hero didn't fizzle out forever.
If you've ever bought one of his other CDs, you will adore this brilliant return to American music."
One of the greatest
Dillow | Gallatin TN. | 07/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I went out about a week ago to Rivergate Mall in Nashville Tennessee,and purchased Edwin McCain's CD Scream & Whisper. Let me be the one to tell you that this CD is one of Edwin's best if not the greastest. His songs are filled with so much raw emotion and feelings that you want to continue to listen to his music for many months to come. Several songs deal with real life situations and beliefs that one can relate to.
1. Coming Down: One of the top three songs on the CD. Has a great chorus to it. One you will listen to a lot. 5/5
2. Shooting Stars: Another great song, filled with Edwin's believes on things such as people being to reliant on matieral things. Great song. 5/5
3. Throw it all away: An above average song that deals with how one can forget about all the good times in a relationship and throw it all away (no pun intended) 4/5
4. Say Anything (feat. Mala Sharp): This is Edwin's first single off the album and man is it a good one. Deals with communication issues in a relationship. One of his best on the album. Songs likes this make me wonder why he is not headlining a major concert in New York or something. 5/5
5. Turning Around: Another good song that deals with him chaging everything around in his life and starting over. Great Sax playing. 4/5
6. Couldn't Love You More: Personally, this is MY favorite song on the entire CD. Another song that shows Edwin's feelings and it shows it well. This song has been on repeat for a while. 5/5
7. Good Enough: An average song here nothing great. The chorus is good, and the beat is good. 3/5
8. Farewell to Tinkerbell: The concept of this song is kinda weird, as he sings this through Peter Pan's eyes. Its a good song though, though it is still a weird subject for a song. 4/5
9. How can you say that to me: A good song here that deals with his "woman" telling him lies in a relationship. Good song here with a good message here. 4/5
10. Day will never come: Great song here mixed in with good guitar work from band member Pete Riley. If you look at the lyrics, you can tell its a good song. 5/5
11. Save the Rain: A good song, but not one of my favorites. It a "toe-tapper" if you want to call it that. Still a good job by Mr. McCain. 4/5
12. White Crosses: A VERY heartfelt song that you will end up listen to several times. Some parts of the song make me sad. Good song once again that shows Edwin's emotional side. Note that it is a long song. 5/5
13.Wild at Heart: Good song that deals with death and how he feels like he is running out of time. Don't let the description of the song fool you though, because it is quite good. 4/5
*BONUS TRACK* 14. Maggie May: Taken from Rod Stewart's single, Edwin puts his own spin on the song. A great last song for the CD. It puts the whole CD in a full circle. 5/5
BOTTOM LINE: I am biased because I like Edwin, but this is a CD that is a must get. It makes me wonder why he is now known worldwide like he should be. But none the less, YOU SHOULD BUY THIS CD RIGHT NOW. GET OFF THE COMPUTER CHAIR AND GET THIS CD!!! Thanks for reading."
Scream & Whisper
mccain-presley | Dayton, OH United States | 06/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you've been left out in the dark this past decade & overlooked this amazing artist, now is the time to get up & take notice! Edwin McCain is without a doubt the most under rated artist of our time. His new cd seems to be more autobiographical than previous releases & I gurantee his story won't disappoint! Do yourself a favor & pick up a copy today! From the catchy Shooting Stars & Coming Down, to the statement that Good Enough makes, and the love he yells from the rooftops in Couldn't Love You More...this is sure to be a favorite in your collection for years to come."
MOST UNDERRATED ARTIST PERIOD.
Lee | South Carolina | 06/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album by the Edwin McCain Band is incredible. On each album in the past Edwin and the band have had kind of a different overall sound for each one. On this album they provide such a different range of styles on the songs, but every song has one common denominator; they are all lyrically meaningful and soulfully and artistically done. Edwin has always had the ability to write and put together catchy songs, while still keeping them lyrically intelligent, and Scream & Whisper is no difference. The title comes from a line in the chorus of "Say Anything", but it's most fitting because a portion of the songs are jammin' with the full band, and the other portion is more stripped down with an acoustic feel. Track by track here's a summary...1.Coming Down - This song is one of two on the cd that describes Edwin's escape from and victory over his depression and his abuse of smoking and alcohol. It's a great description of the up that he is on now and how he's back on track and happy with life, not to mention his friends and family who were worried about him. The sound goes back to the jam band sound of his earlier days. One of my favorite songs on the album easily. "I'm just coming down from this starry sky, I'm just glad to be here but most of all I'm thankful I'm alive..."2.Shooting Stars - This is a very catchy song with a great message. It's not the material things that we need, but that love that we already have that we can share with each other that is the point. "Free your mind let your heart sing and just remember that they're only things..."3.Throw It All Away - Having to face the reality of knowing that someone you care about is just going to throw it all away, not quite sure what it is referring too, but maybe that's the point, which makes it more universal. A slower, chill sound.4.Say Anything (duet w/ Maia Sharp) - A really beautiful song, Edwin's first duet on an album with a female, and Maia has an incredible voice. A song about a man and a woman, and how she just wants to hear those words of how he feels, but it's hard for the man to describe his feelings to her. Very true to life. One of the best songs of the year, should be all over radio, already out now, request it. "Give me just one word, you can scream or whisper, if you want to stay with me tell me why, say anything..."5.Turning Around - Another jamming song, the second of the two tracks on the album about Edwin turning his life around. "Said goodbye to ego and the shame, there's no use in hiding in that fame.6.Couldn't Love You More - Forget "I'll Be". This may be Edwin's best ballad. Definitely his truest in my opinion. Straight to his wife about how much his love is real. "And they said I couldn't love you and that it would never last, he's just a crazy boy just look at his past, And they said I couldn't love you but that was just a lie, I couldn't love you more if I tried..."7.Good Enough - Maybe the most meaningful song on the album. Written with black artist Tyrone Coleman, who actually played piano in a club but after he played had to leave because coloreds weren't allowed, even today. This songs speaks on that and pays tribute to the early black icons of rock & roll who had to fight racism to pave the way for others. "If I'm good enough to play then I'm good enough to stay in your heart..."8.Farewell To Tinkerbell - Just a fun, fun song. A really fast paced song, but it actually ties in to Edwin's real life. Very clever songwriting, and Edwin's favorite track. "And I know there will be times that I will wish for fairy's dust, you know I've found a good woman and she's cleaning up the rust..."9.How Can You Say That - A very beautiful song, real bluesy number, still trying to figure it out, a song that makes you think. "After all of those secrets you let me believe, there's no rose petal air there's just thorns when I breathe..."10.Day Will Never Come - Cool sound, also still trying to figure out exactly what the message of this song is, which is cool about Edwin's music, not all of it is going to be easy, you have to really think, and those are the ones that sometimes mean the most and really seem to grab you.11.Save The Rain - A real cool song, well written by bandmate Pete Riley and Paul O'Brien. Band gets to have some fun on this track. "And when the sun comes out to play I'll save the rain from yesterday..."12.White Crosses - One of the best story/point of view songs that Edwin has written. It speaks from the view of an immigrant from Mexico who leaves his family to try to make money for his family, but death meets him in the end, and no one even knows. "I will gladly pick your peaches or clean your hotel room, I will do the jobs that Americans won't do....And my wife she still wonders when I'm coming home, with the riches that I promised her for leaving her alone..."13.Wild At Heart - An amazing acoustic, HONEST song from Edwin. I'm still amazed at how revealing he was in this song. It's the struggle of most every husband, he loves his wife and wants her, but still has to fight that side who wants to run after other girls, in Edwin's case, on the road. I commend Edwin for this honesty and realness here. "Sometimes I wish there were two of me, one to stay home the other runs free, One man to hold you, the other's long gone, chasing the girls, laughing till dawn......I'm just wild at heart, this battle is raging inside, this double fantasy tears me apart, I'm wild at heart..."14. Maggie May - A remake of the Rod Stewart classic from 1972. EMB tear it up, and do it more than justice. A great "bonus" to finish the album with. Catch this song live at a concert, you'll be blown away..."