The title track is a love song dedicated to then-boyfriend Lance Armstrong. “Where Has All the Love Gone” seems to mourn a loss of tenderness, both in a romance and in the culture. On “I Know Why” Crow longs to penetrate a partner’s protective shell, while “Lifetimes” sees past a man’s glittery public persona, pledging to love him even at his worst. It’s considered foolish to slave away and worry at the expense of enjoying today (“Live It Up”). On the spiritually sensitive “Letter to God,” the singer contemplates her legacy, eternity and what’s expected of her, however …
Lacking humility and reverence, she demands answers on her own terms, unaware of Isaiah 55:8-9. Crow’s call to seize the day (“Live It Up”) could come across as license for excess (“Live it up like there’s no time left”). One minute she’s taking a dreamy, New Age swim through bad theology and pop metaphysics (“Chances Are”), the next she prefers ignorant bliss because enlightenment just bums her out (“I Don’t Wanna Know”).
Contemplative teens prone to mellow meandering could do far worse than traipsing through Crow’s field of Wildflower. Parents who OK the trip should at least take time to discuss the songwriter’s longings and how Jesus Christ wants to meet those needs in a person’s life.
