Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation)

I assume the success of Big Yellow Taxi must have contributed to the thought that maybe they could do a whole album of covers. The question arises therefore how did they choose this compilation? There is no doubting the quality of the band. A couple of the tracks I did not know and it could have been a new Counting Crows song as far as I was concerned. It does not have the impact of the classic albums of there's. It kinda fills in time, (as if they are just looking to finish a three album contract with a record company). Or are in between writing their own songs and these are the songs they play to amuse themselves. I would not turn it off, but if I wanted to listen to Counting Crows I would still reach for one of their first four albums.

I have been a fan of Adam Duritz and Counting Crows for ages and have waited for some new material since seeing them in concert in Brighton in 2009; not quite "new" material but a selection of tracks which have inspired Adam and the Crows over time. It does not disappoint and as Adam says in the accompaning cd notes, he hopes we all go out and listen to the original songmakers to appreciate where they're coming from; I did just that and although its good to see where they came from, Counting Crows interpretation is in my opinion superior (probably mainly down to recording qualitiy) I cannot stop listening to this album, which is a "Crows" album even if, as Adam says, he didnt write a damn song!! From the first (Untitled, love song) to the last (The Ballad of El Goodo) they all sound (and some already are "Four White Stallions", Charlie's band Tender Mercies track) like Counting Crows tracks even though they are all reworked (to perfection) from the originals. Buy this CD, it will give you the fix like me, I needed and several other cds that you will consequently buy as a result, all you will enjoy, but will keep going back to Underwater Sunshine just to see how they should be played, enjoy!

When I heard that the Crows were releasing a compilation of cover versions I thought to myself that they are nearing the end of the road and this would be, a time passer.It took a couple of listens but I think this is a great offering.Ok cover versions are normally left to boybands apart from the odd classic effort but I really rate this album as it puts the Crows inimitable style to these songs. If you're a Crows fan buy it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.