It’s easy to overlook how consistently brilliant Counting Crows have been across their career. Aside from their breakthrough, ubiquitous 1993 hit single Mr. Jones, their two biggest hits have been wholly unrepresentative novelty singles: one a saccharine soundtrack effort for a Shrek movie (Accidentally In Love) and the other an ill-advised, hip-hop inspired reading of Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi. A cursory glance at the title and artwork of their latest LP is enough to deter all but the most ardent fans from venturing further.
But push past these missteps, and the rewards are great. Counting Crows – one of the most underrated and under-appreciated bands of the last 30 years – have delivered their best work since 2002’s Hard Candy, with a record that pairs five brand-new songs on side one with the 2021 E.P. Butter Miracle: Suite One on side two.
The frequent callbacks to American states and female protagonists, a consistent feature of singer Adam Duritz’s lyrics, remain, but there are also fresh ideas to explore. On bluesy opening number With Love, From A-Z, Duritz sends a love letter from the road which feels as honest and heartfelt as anything he’s written (‘I may leave you a lot, but I won’t leave you alone, …these words are the essence of me’) On Boxcars, an urgent, grungy powerhouse with a chorus reminiscent of early Foo Fighters, he laments a disenchanted, disconnected generation (‘Mom and Dad and a couple of kids staring at the screen, makes it easier on you, makes it easier on me’).
But the highlight here is the beatles-esque, instant pop classic Under The Aurora. While lines like ‘I wanna believe in something’ feel tired for a band who proclaimed ‘I don’t believe in anything’ over 30 years ago, the chorus refrain of a songwriter finding his place in the world (‘Where is there a place for me among the millions, humming and humming and humming away’) finds them at their best: poignant, yearning, and catchy as hell. By some kind of miracle, they’ve hit the sweet spot yet again. – 4.5/5 stars
Matthew Ambrose presents Under The Radar on Tuesday evening at 7pm on Abbey104. Broadcasting on 104.7FM and online at abbey104.com.
