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Stumbled across this well written but not very complimentary review of the album, and thought it was worth a read:
http://spectrumculture.com/2008/10/lucinda-williams-little-honey.htmlFortunately, there have been several long-time fans (who are still and always will be long-time fans) that have posted feedback and comments exactly in this same vein. And it’s OK by me that the album is, as Eric Whelchel states in this article, an underwhelming…dud. Not every album or every concert or every song can outstanding. In my humble opinion, it is the job of a fan to be open and honest with their discerning ears. A responsible fan is not always a cheerleader-nothing against cheerleaders that is. Frankly speaking, I enjoyed ECs North as well as LWs West…
@DavidinMaine wrote:
In my humble opinion, it is the job of a fan to be open and honest with their discerning ears.
True, but (and this is a big BUT) it is with THEIR “discerning ears” that they need to be honest, not yours, DIM. Just because my “discerning ears” do not agree with your “discerning ears”, does not mean I am not being honest, genuine, realistic or true. And, to be brutally honest, DIM, your apparent inability to understand this concept is why your oft-repeated opinions rub many people here the wrong way. I like “Little Honey” and you do not. That does not make me, OR you, wrong. Nor does it mean that any opinions that differ from yours belong to “cheerleaders” – it just means we have different tastes. There is no “universal yardstick” with which one may measure art.
I say I like “Little Honey” because I do. Period. Not because I am “taking up” for Lucinda, and not because I believe she can do no wrong. I just like it. A lot. And before you say, “but you have admitted to being a LW ‘cheerleader’ before”, that is true, I have. But I did so primarily as a sarcastic response to your incessant criticism of Lucinda’s supposed “new sound”, current set lists, and “Little Honey”.
Tom
There is no “universal yardstick” with which one may measure art. You are wise grasshopper. One man gathers what another man spills. May the new year bring set lists that will blow our minds, and bring happiness to old and new fans alike. Let it be written, let it be done. Amen
OK so this reviewer guy didn’t like Little Honey and he didn’t like West. I’m over it. Although I think he liked Little Honey a little more than he let on, since he liked several songs a lot.
I guess we have to get used to every negative review, word, and thought, being just like a juicy rare steak laid out right in front of DiM. Or a home run pitch right down the middle of the plate. He is going to jump on it.
He should drop the cheerleader crap, though. It’s tiresome. Try a thesaurus already.
These moments are unfortunately rare on Little Honey; its meandering and lovey-dovey songs are always lurking around the corner like the crazy uncle you’re trying to avoid at the family reunion. And like that crazy uncle, once you run into these songs it’s a total buzzkill. This isn’t to say that Williams should create Car Wheels On a Gravel Road II either, nor does it mean criticism of this release is nothing more than complaining by Gravel Roadites clamoring for such a sequel. Certainly it’s always nice to see an artist with an established reputation and musical style attempt new things, both musically and thematically. But sometimes those attempts fall short of the mark and the results are underwhelming. Little Honey is such an album.
p.s. Why must one defend every song and every album and every tour? It’s against all odds that anyone could do everything wonderfully without missing a note and thereby able to satisfy everyone all the time! Plus, the consistent and constant negativity is way off key as well. It’s a bit concerning when someone uses “we” in their post when they are speaking from a singular place–the group think in hear can be deafening… And, when one is so, so defensive it is brutally easy to be “rubbed the wrong way”–like a dog guarding a bone or in this case a delicious steak…
tntracy,
My discerning ears like “Little Honey” as well. Well well well was a classic the first time I heard it. I love The Knowing, and I’m one of the few in this forum that like Elvis with Lu on Jailhouse tears, cracks me up every time I hear it. And the list goes on.
I agree with your paragraphs above, but one thing I’ve learned is that reacting to, or responding to DIMs negative opinion of Lucindas recent material is a waste of time. Its his opinion, its the only correct opinion, and anyone with a positive opinion of her recent work is a cheerleader, who just doesnt know music. (In his mind)
Steve
What also makes this album so frustrating is that there are some solid songs scattered amongst the detritus. “Honey Bee” is perhaps the most ballsy and aggressive song Williams has ever recorded. It’s damn loud – drums and a whole mess of guitars flail away as the singer practically shouts some suggestive lyrics that would make puritans in the audience blush. “Jailhouse Tears” is a humorous and somewhat poignant story of a “three-time loser” and his long-suffering significant other. Sung as a duet with Costello and wearing its country music influences proudly, the singers each offer their side of the story; Costello’s assertion of “Look at me/ I’m clean now” is wryly dismissed by Williams’ unconvinced female character: “You’re so full of shit.”
David,
I read that. Thanks for posting it. One of the few songs the reviewer at the top of this thread liked. I appreciate the support. I’ve recieved pages and pages of feedback that Elvis was totally the wrong guy for the duet, and yet my “discerning ears” Love Elvis’ and Lu’s version.
David,
The regulars in here all know your opinion of Lucinda William’s recent work. We know that. You don’t need to keep repeating it over, and over, and over again, ad nauseum. You are best when you are expanding our knowledge of artists and music you like.
Peace,
Steve
@stevarino wrote:
One of the few songs the reviewer at the top of this thread liked.
And the VERY interesting thing about that is, of all the songs on Little Honey, this reviewer liked “Honey Bee” – a song that other critics have panned for it’s lyrics! (Remember the “Worst Lyrics of 2008” playoff that someone posted here not long ago?)
This just proves my point above. When it comes to music (like most other art), one person’s medicine is another person’s poison. Who is “right”? Who is “wrong”? Neither. Both are entitled to their opinion, and both opinions are equally valid. And neither position should be belittled or dismissed.
Tom
Steve:
Am I not a regular in here too? Why push me out of said group? Again, who is the “we” that you speak of? Isn’t everyone welcome to such a forum or are there self-imposed individuals who censor postings that are out of colour? What makes a “regular” in your own mind?…
Thinking (outside of the group),
David
It’s funny how you always make yourself the victim. It’s a cute game and I bet you could play it indefinitely.
You come in here as a shit disturber and act innocent when you are called on it. You created the polarization. You set up the 2 groups; you (keeping it real) and everyone who disagrees with you (cheerleaders). You are the one who created the labels. So that makes everyone but you “we”. Does that answer your question?
Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Well said, tonyg. You summed it up nicely. 😉
I don’t know about you, but I think, like stevarino suggested, it is about time to “stop feeding the troll.” I found this interesting & uncannily fitting description of a forum troll on another (unrelated) Web site:
A classic [Internet] troll is trying to make us believe that he is a genuine skeptic with no hidden agenda. He is divisive and argumentative with [a] need-to-be-right attitude, “searching for the truth”, flaming discussion, and sometimes insulting people or provoking people to insult him. [A] Troll is usually an expert in reusing the same words of its opponents and in turning it against them.
Sound familiar? 😆
Tom
Hmmm…It does sound familiar and I feel for such folks. You know, those individuals who go to forums and engage with complete strangers on a strangely personal level–where most have made-up names/personalities–and go about the business of engaging in fantasy around people who they will never meet. Wierd, really. The post on “sexy” lyrics here is especially enlightening in this regard (tonyg’s recent posting in terms of LWs more simplistic/suggestive lyrics: “Re: 5 lucinda’s most sexiest songs by tonyg on Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:55 pm Easy fella. I put a finger in each ear when she gets to the dirty parts in her songs.tonyg”).
That aside, it is a newer phenomena–this roleplaying and it’s causing a lot of trouble for adults and children alike (real-time in Facebook and Myspace–let alone World of Warcraft, dating sites, etc). More challenging is the idea of engaging in philosophical and intellectual discussion around artistry and diversity, which is what trolls (if that’s what you want to label “them”) do not want–and it appears that there are several trolls (following the listed definition) in here for sure (and in most “fan-based” forums)–and they like to band together, don’t they? Trolls rarely strike alone in this/a forum, rather they band together and call names, try to ostracize, swear, harass, etc for new opinions and challenging thoughts they do not like–they seem to want to stay in defense mode. It reminds me of the old, now new, slang term “circlejerk.” “Trolls” like to engage in this type of behavior, as well. Thankfully, this has morphed into a term that is not verbatium but refreshingly updated. It would be consistent with troll-like behaviors to resist progress while staying in their “woods” (see the movie, Shrek, for some humorous albeit apropos antidotes and metaphors):
“Circlejerk also refers to a pompous, self-congratulatory discussion where little to no progress is made.”
1. “I just walked in on a circlejerk yesterday; it was terrible!”
2. “Did you catch that board meeting? Man, what a circlejerk!”Can participants remember to keep it about the music, reviews, setlists, lyrics, shows, and albums? Diversity is king and an enemy for trolls and circlejerks alike…
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