An honorable priest offers “a little grace” to a down-and-out woman on “Sweet Rosalyn.” Other tunes mourn the carnage of war (“Redemption Days”) and the epidemic street violence that continues to claim young lives (“Love Is a Good Thing”). Crow regrets a European fling on “The Book” (“Sometimes we come to learn by mistake that the love you once made can’t be undone”), however . . .
“Home” finds the artist longing to awake in the embrace of a stranger. Similarly, “Ordinary Morning” describes the dawn following a one-night stand. “Maybe Angels” refers to “holy rollers” who “don’t know nothin’ ’bout saving me.” Crow admits “I still get stoned” on her ode to selfishness, “If It Makes You Happy.” Abortion is portrayed as a woman’s way to “take care of her own body” (“Hard to Make a Stand”). Other tracks allude to Ouija boards and booze.
The Grammy winner’s follow-up to her 6-million-selling Tuesday Night Music Club is nothing to crow about. Problems outweigh praises. Despite a social consciousness, this project’s approach to religion and sexual ethics is inconsistent at best.
