On “You’re an Original,” Crow warns a selfish, hedonistic, foul-mouthed woman that her lifestyle will catch up with her. She bears no ill will toward ex-boyfriends, wishing them only the best on “Safe and Sound,” “Over You” and “It’s Only Love.” Oozing optimism, “Soak Up the Sun” preaches contentment (“It’s not having what you want/It’s wanting what you’ve got”). “Diamond Road” pledges support to a hurting friend while advising that person to extract good from life’s trials. The artist tells her wounded man that she will stand by to help him bear his burdens (“Abilene”). On “Steve McQueen” Crow regrets that “all our pop stars look like porn,” however . . .
That song also finds her proud to be “an all-American rebel” who “ain’t takin’ s— off no one.” Although she realizes it’s wrong, the smitten singer persists as the other woman in an adulterous affair (“It’s So Easy”). The antithesis of several songs benevolent toward former loves, “Lucky Kid” wants sweet revenge (“I want to make you scream for mercy . . . and take you to your knees”).
While still no saint on C’mon, C’mon, Sheryl Crow is more responsible than she’s been on past CDs. No dropping acid. No early-morning beer buzz. In fact, there’s a prevailing sense of glass-half-full enthusiasm here. Even so, several tracks mar her overall improvement.
