Customer Reviews
her best 
2008-11-26
I am a big fan of sheryl crow, and I would say this is her best cd yet. The lyrics are intelligent, insightful, and bold--as is the music. I can listen to this cd over and over again without tiring of it. Highly recommended.
One Strange Detour 
2008-10-18
I'm not that big of a fan of Sheryl Crow like some people, but her last album (Wildflower) really made an impression on me, so I was looking forward to hearing her next offering.
I'm now very glad that it was of no cost to me to listen.
The way I see it, music is supposed to catch the ear first, the sensibilites later. Crow has given her fans plenty of listening pleasure in the past but with "Detours" my expectations were figuratively deafened from the sheer number of production misfires contained within the album. I ultimately don't think much of it and here's a blow-by-blow of the reasons why.
The album opens with "God Bless This Mess", which runs on a little too long - this is the type of song that should be short and sweet but it goes on for over two minutes, the acoustic guitar annoyingly repetitious with hardly any chord changes and the audio effect of it sounding like an ages-old recording is a bit strange. "Shine Over Babylon" is the real opener here with its rousing chorus that crescendos nicely and it segues quickly into "Love Is Free". It's obvious why this song was chosen as the first single to be released from "Detours" - it's the best song the album has to offer, the most radio-friendly and it echoes of her past hits (think "Soak Up The Sun", "All I Wanna Do"). "Peace Be Upon Us" is the first song that notifies its listener that this isn't your typical Crow album. Though it starts off admirably upbeat, her duet with vocalist Ahmed Al Hirmi is a strange choice - oddly enough, it all works somehow. The song features Arabic lyrics and at one point Crow wails with Al Hirmi like a devout Muslim calling out to Allah. "Gasoline" has some amusing and biting lyrics, touching upon America's dependence on foreign oil with an acerbic wit, but doesn't quite work as a song; Crow does a Johnny Cash-like recitation rather than full-out singing through most of it.
The tempo of "Out Of Our Heads" just doesn't seem to fit the melody - this song should've been a ballad and the result is a composition that confuses and grates the nerves. Actress Rosanna Arquette is a backing vocalist on this track, making it even more of an anomaly. The song "Detours" rolls along and as the title track is the least noticeable of all the 14 songs contained on this album.
Well, that's tracks 1-7 thus far and the second half of the album redeems little of the first. "Now That You're Gone" retreats back to some of the best of Crow's territory with its soulful, easy tempo and "Drunk With The Thought Of You" is another goodie. Starting off promisingly is "Diamond Ring" which lazily winds on a bluesy beat but it's painfully obvious that parts of the song are out of Crow's vocal range because she's really pushing it on the chorus. This is a woman who is primarily an alto and the repetition of the high-octave refrain has her voice horrendously straining and breaking, effectively killing the entire song. "Motivation" doesn't really have motivation (how ironic) - the lyrics are facetious but empty and the accompaniment is spiritless and unoriginal, making it ultimately forgettable.
I understand that "Make It Go Away (Radiation Song)" is a deeply personal song for Crow and was written at a time of despair and uncertainty while she was being treated for breast cancer. Despite this, it still doesn't resonate the way it should and Crow sounds utterly whiny further on into the track. "Love Is All There Is" isn't noteworthy in the least. "Lullaby For Wyatt" is surprisingly sweet without any of the schmaltz one might expect; it's a really beautiful song on an album full of generally trivial and lackluster compositions.
Bottom line: "Detours" arrangements and lyrics are a little off the beaten path at times and regrettably the album suffers for it. Crow is a good lyricist but this isn't her best work (her writing and arrangement on 2005's "Wildflower" rivals this) and from the sounds of it, she has hit a musical detour. Where this album was intended to go, I don't know. Here's hoping her next one arrives at a better destination.
Detours 
2008-10-09
Detours being Sherry Crow's latest release is a good release that is a bit too political. As anyone whom has read my reviews knows, I have a big aversion for political music. Political music often becomes politics light. Meaning that it dumbs down politics to one liners. Sometimes I get the felling that Crow is trying to hard. Like on the song Peace be Upon Us. The lyrics sound pressed and forced. The social commentary also falls flat many times. Like on the track Gasoline. The book-let is really nice. Crow in many different poses in different outfits that actually looks like she would wear. I like how we get the information of who played what instrument. The lyrics are also presented in an easy to read font. 3/5.
Her Best 
2008-09-16
Sheryl has outdone herself on this one. All the songs are lyrical as usual, but the lyrics have alot more to them this time. This is her political protest and she has used this venue well to voice her opinions for an end to the war and our dependence on gasoline. Even a simple ballad like 'God Bless this Mess" has a very poignant message about our current administartion. The "Peace Be upon us" with the Arabic is over the top. She has employed her gift to relay some heartfelt and importatant messages. Viva la Sheryl!
The cd is good 2008-09-01
I was thinking it was in a plastic case because I didn't see if it stated what type of case it was in.
Not for Republicans 2008-08-29
Sheryl Crow is set to release her sixth studio album, DETOURS. The album marks the return of producer Bill Bottrell, who previously worked with Crow on her breakthrough debut album Tuesday Night Music Club, which earned the singer three Grammy Awards, and sold more than ten million copies worldwide. "This is the most honest record I've ever made. It's about being forced to wake up," says Crow.
Sheryl Crow Photos
More from Sheryl Crow
Wildflower Tour: Live from New York | 
Wildflower | 
Wildflower (Deluxe) |
Globe Sessions | 
The Very Best of Sheryl Crow - The Videos | 
C'mon America 2003 |
The Very Best of Sheryl Crow | 
C'mon, C'mon | 
Live from Central Park |
The Globe Sessions (Enhanced) | 
Sheryl Crow | 
Tuesday Night Music Club |
Great album from Sheryl! 2008-08-22
Sheryl Crow has come a long way since her debut in the 90's "Tuesday Night Musical Club." Granted her style may have changed a bit, but I think it's for the better. My favorite song on the album is "Love Is Free." I love the message and its video. If you're a long time fan of Sheryl Crow you'll enjoy this. If you're just a fan of her radio hits and not a die hard fan you may be dissapointed. If you're open about new styles of music I think you'll enjoy it like me. The songs are well-written and good quality. I only expect the best from Sheryl Crow. She even goes in political and personal songs on this album. I just happen to agree with her politics. Even if you disagree the music still sounds good, you have to admit. Overall I would definately reccomend Sheryl Crow's most recent album "Detours"!
Songs that get stuck in your head... 2008-08-20
"Detours" exceeded my expectations. Sheryl Crow still has an amazing edge, and this album proves that she remains one of the best songwriters in popular music today. In this age of iTunes and single-song downloads, I'm glad I bought the entire album, because every one of these songs deserves a chance to be heard.
The first track is intentionally simple and it sets you up beautifully for the heavy-handed "Shine Over Babylon", one of my favorite tracks, and one that is trademark Sheryl Crow material. Other favorites include "Motivation", "Drunk with the Thought of You", "Out of Our Heads" and the title track, "Detours". All very solid works, and all of them are stuck in my head as I write this review. The other tracks, while not quite as appealing to me, are still very good and showcase SC's versatility.
Hate it. 
2008-08-12
I'd give it half a star if I could. Total waste of money on my part.
Give it a chance 2008-08-04
It is a good album. Give it a chance. I agree that it is political, and has many different styles, and that it is not her best, BUT since when do we fault people for honesty or uniquity (not sure on the spelling of that one). No one complains if people write a sappy but true love song, so why not a song about the current affairs of our world in an honest fashion.
I say there is more Sheryl in this album than there has been in a long time so be grateful for it...
