Lover/Fighter is Promising/Disappointing
Dan MacDonald | Windsor, Ontario CANADA | 11/07/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't lost my faith in Hawksley as a songwriter, but I have a gut feeling that his latest effort Lover/Fighter is going to go down as the "iffy album" in his catalogue. The first six tracks contain mere teasers of Hawksley's signature lyrics. Very promising at times, but the overly slick production and repeated (and repeated and repeated) choruses kill any promise his unique and crafty lyrics make. At times, he sounds painfully like U2/Radiohead/Coldplay/Rufus Wainwright - which isn't a bad thing - except, I'm used to a Hawksley Workman who sounds like...Hawksley Workman. He was impossible to fit into a genre before, but there are certain moments (and this hurts me to say) that it sounds like he's been listening to too much John Mayor and Jason Mraz. I don't know if this is some ploy to get mainstream radio play, or a dumbing down tactic to gain a new and wider audience, but the intimacy I had with Hawksley as a listener on his previous albums is just not there with this one. However - tracks 7 - 9 are comforting. By the time the album reaches its (first) finale with the ridiculously magnificent "Autumns Here" I can almost over look any quams I had with the first six tracks. Almost. Not a bad album by any means - there are moments on this album where I want to drop to my knees and thank "the maker of all ears that hear" for Hawksley's ability to say EXACTLY what I was thinking. The hidden tracks are also better than much of the album - very worth it and it's classic Hawksley at his best: Music that sounds like nothing else out there - yet somehow sad jerks like me can still relate. I almost feel dirty and vulgar for even comparing this work to a few of the other above mentioned artists, but any fan of Hawksley will notice that something here smells a little different.
Lover/Fighter - the title speaks for itself - there's definetely a conflict going on.
I just hope it's resolved by the time he releases his next collection."
5 stars because it's hawksley
Karen | Newfoundland, Canada | 12/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, I for one was alarmed and dismayed to see one critic handing down only 3 stars to our hawksley for his Lover/Fighter album. This album is really quite lovely, uh-huh. But I will say that Mr. MacDonald is right to point out that this cd is something different than previous works. Still, I get that feeling inside when I listen. I've listened to everything of Hawksley's that has been available for several years now, and it is correct to say that his style is not something that can be classified under most mainstream genres. There is almost something personal about his writing, as if he can sing everything we've ever wanted to say but couldn't find the words. I also thought that the album felt like it was reaching out for that poppish sound and catchy lyrics and choruses that refrain hourly in the ears of wide audiences. So? There is so much on this album that is absolutely and wonderfully Hawksley... he has not deviated entirely from his original style and lyrics. I think Hawksley should get 5 stars just because he is not yet 1/10th as famous as he should be and will be. I would not want to give less of a rating than that, for fear than a potential new listener would be discouraged from experiencing the music. It's wonderful."
So glad I bought this album!
03/31/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard the song "Anger as Beauty" on the radio and then heard it again when I caught the countdown on MuchMusic and thought " I have to buy this album!" Which I did, and boy, am I glad! What a great album! So listenable from beginning to end. For any of you who haven't yet had the pleasure of listening to this CD, I can't really help you out by comparing Hawksley to anyone else. Sorry! He is definitely in a category all his own. Although, something about this album reminds me of Elvis Costello's "When we Were Cruel". Not that Hawksley sounds like Elvis . . I guess just in the sense that Elvis' sound is so unique as well. It is definitely my second favourite album this past year - right behind Sam Robert's "We were Born in a Flame". (not that he sounds like Sam either!)Smoke Baby is probably my favourite song, but Anger as Beauty, Even An Ugly Man and We Will Still Need A Song are close behind, as is the last hidden track, which I can't remember the name of right now. Autumn's Here is stripped down and stark, but gorgeous. Really, there are none I dislike. On the Highway Tonight There's No Reason to Cry out Your Eyes has a very neat video. A girl is crying in a car, and Hawksley is a little guy with a guitar hanging by a string from the rearview mirror, trying to get down. Cool idea whoever had it. Also love the fact that Hawksley is a drummer but plays all the instruments himself. (kind of like Pete Yorn - although I don't think Pete plays the base)Anyway, it's a great album. Definitely worth a listen. (It might even make it into my top 10 favourite albums of all time.)I'm sure I will be listening to it for years to come, and I will definitely be checking out more Hawksley . . . hope you will too!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1