Record Review: Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow - 100 Miles From Memphis 3.5/5

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100 Miles From Memphis finds Crow in a state of bliss, exploring the very sounds that influenced her as a girl growing up in Missouri. Infused with soul, r&b, and even a bit of reggae, Crow sounds right at home. Collaborations provide some of the most enjoyable highlights with Justin Timberlake on "Sign Your Name", a Terence Trent D'Arby cover, remade in the model of Al Green and Keith Richards on "Eye To Eye", where Crow shows off her reggae swagger.

The album's opener "Our Love Is Fading, sets off a record that feels like Crow pulled the sounds straight out the 1970s. Throughout Crow finds upbeat grooves, horns at every corner and hook heavy chorus' like that of lead single "Summer Days", and "Peaceful Feeling". The disconnect comes with Crow's thinner than usual vocals, and the purposely impure production, though refreshing, Crow seems to fade out against her instrumental backing, like that of her Aretha-flavored "Stop".

It's an imperfect record, but an enjoyable and refreshing experience, that more often than not reaps the reward of Crow's experiment with the very sounds that have shaped one of rock's best female artists.