SONiA's first studio album since the award winning "Me,Too". No Bomb Is Smart includes 12 Tracks, 11 written by SONiA and 'No More Songs' written by the late Phil Ochs. The depth of the songwriting is matched only by the... more » incredible musicians which joined SONiA on this CD including members of the Dixie Chicks and Mark Knopfler's band. This album brings back the harmonies of disappear fear with Cindy joining SONiA on 10 of the 12 tracks.« less
SONiA's first studio album since the award winning "Me,Too". No Bomb Is Smart includes 12 Tracks, 11 written by SONiA and 'No More Songs' written by the late Phil Ochs. The depth of the songwriting is matched only by the incredible musicians which joined SONiA on this CD including members of the Dixie Chicks and Mark Knopfler's band. This album brings back the harmonies of disappear fear with Cindy joining SONiA on 10 of the 12 tracks.
"Of all the albums...all the years...all the listening...this is the most satisfying hour of music I have ever experienced. The first track opens your heart...the second tells an incredible story...the third lifts you to the top of the roller coaster and the rest of the CD carries you along for the ride of your life. If SONiA had this music in her...why did she make us wait so long?! Get two copies...if you play it for anyone...they'll steal it."
Sonia's best yet!
tamkis | Bluff City, TN USA | 10/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love it! I think it is absolutely some of her best. The cd is complicated simplicity. What a way to open it up... beautiful string arrangement in "no more songs". "won't let go" makes me cry, ...in a good way. "i am the enemy" is a sincere mixture of frustration, love and thanksgiving, all bound together in a maturing spirit. Love the rhythm and chord progression in "bucket of blues". How fun is "ride this ride"? Big yeah for the chick on the piano in "rio's home". And what can you say about sister Cindy's harmonies? It's hard to beat blood-harmony.
I'll go on just a little more... This body of work is the product of a soulful individual dedicated to the honesty of her craft and God given talents... A true songwriter "obviously".
"
Her Best So Far
tamkis | 05/01/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is SONiA's best studio CD. Her exceptional voice and thought-provoking lyrics are wonderfully complemented by the musiciams who accompany her on this album. Those who know her music and her style will hear a lot of songs that sound pleasntly familiar, such as the title song No Bomb is Smart and Obviously. But there is also a nice mix of new formats - from blues-bop on Bucket of Blues to pop-country on Ride This Ride. There is something for everyone - both long-time fans and new listerners. She does a wonderful job on this CD and I hope she explores more of these new genres in the future."
A Great Musician Comes of Age
Kenneth E. Knox | Los Angeles, CA United States | 06/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A stunning achievement. While SONiA has always displayed an uncanny knack for hook and melody and a deeply perceptive insight with her often socially (and politically) oriented lyrics, never before has she displayed such assured musicianship as she does on NO BOMB IS SMART, surely her greatest musical accomplishment to date. Jumping between genres with inspired confidence (she incorporates the sounds of country, folk, blues, and rock), she weaves the otherwise disparate elements into a rich tapesty of soulful affirmation and musical substance. Whether it's the haunting simplicity of the piano-laced "Rio's Home," the rich Texas rootsiness of "The Other Man," or the affectionately tender eloquence of "Don't Let Go" (truly one of the disc's most affecting moments), SONiA invests herself fully into each track, and delivers nothing short of musical perfection for the first time in her career.Fans of her politically charged work will appreciate the powerful title track (as well as the emotionally charged "I Am the Enemy," which tells of the horrors of racially motivated hatred inflicted upon the world in the aftermath of 9/11), but for this longtime fan, it's just great to hear an artist come so fully into maturity as a songwriter on par with important singer-songwriters like Dylan and Phil Ochs (whose "No More Songs" SONiA covers here). This is SONiA's true awakening, and is not to be missed."