Average Rating: 5.00 Rating Variance: 0.00 Objectivity Score: 15% (Not Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicEric Stuart Band Blue, Dressed In BlackOf the 3 ESB (Eric Stuart Band) albums I own, this is my favorite. It exemplifies the variety of styles that the band can achieve--all with the trademark ESB commitment to quality and excellence in every line. This album has it all: from their most rock type song without any drawl (Staring You in the Face) to their most western type gun ballad (God's Roof); from their most beautiful heartbreak song (Corner Booth Chronicles) to their best party song (Raise a Little Hell); and from their most cleverly crafted lyrics (Lost Innocence) to their best use of instrumentation (Heaven in a Cadillac). More than in any other album, voice actor /voice director /singer /songwriter /guitarist Eric Stuart shows not only that he puts 100% into everything he does, but also that he and his band can do anything! Also check out his other two albums: Bombshellshocked, and In the County of Kings! Some extra notes on this album: Lost Innocence--has the best lyrics of any ESB song, eg. "I've been sick and I've been well, at heaven's gate and on the road to hell, I've been smooth and I've been rough, I've wanted more, then had enough." Heaven in a Cadillac--is perfect. Voice, lyrics, and instrumentation are all superb and blend together so perfectly that it actually feels like you're in a dream. Home-- a heartwarming ballad full of hope which demonstrates how Eric loves to write songs that tell a story. Corner Booth Chronicles--won the John Lennon Songwriting Award, and rightly so!Eric Stuart Band BombshellshockedThe music of ESB (Eric Stuart Band) is a genre of its own, which makes it a challenge to describe. If you imagine a triangle between the gravelly emotion of Bruce Springsteen, the easy charm of Buddy Holly, and the suave richness of Elvis Presley; then I'd say most ESB songs would fit somewhere within that triangle. Overall, Bombshellshocked is the least country-sounding of their 3 in-print albums, though it still has its presence. What is most striking about these songs are their complex and powerful emotions and original points of view. There is never a dull moment, and nothing is ever cliché. Sad Day for Love isn't so much a song about sadness, but more like the shock of maddening frustration that makes you punch the wall before you sink to the floor. Bad Seed to Sow isn't simply about racism, but also about regaining childhood innocence and being a good role model. The Remedy (my favorite song on this album) is more than just encouraging; it's about seeing your problems as they are and then overcoming them--"stare in the face of the beast within; I'll help you rise above your own misfortune." Sooner or Later rocks out with strong emotions of enthusiasm, excitement, and anticipation. As always, ESB gives you the wonderful tunes you want with much more quality than you bargained for. Whether you play it in the background, or deeply contemplate about the music, ESB delivers. Also check out their other two albums: Blue Dressed in Black, and In the County of Kings!Eric Stuart Band In the County of KingsEric coins the term "concrete country" to describe his music, which defies classification. Most of his songs have an obvious classical country sound with varying degrees of that old time rock'n'roll. The result is fresh and unique, with something for everyone. But it isn't the genre that grips you--it's the attention to detail like you've never heard before. Each song is stacked with layer upon layer of quality, quality, quality. The first thing that strikes you is Eric's voice. As an accomplished voice actor, Eric can deliver a top-notch musical performance with an added emotion specific to each song. In The Last Word, he sounds like a mischievous boy on the verge of laughter striving to keep a straight face in order to deliver his sarcastic remarks. No one else can do that and sing at the same time! The next thing you'll notice are the catchy tunes. At the end of Paint the Town, there are a few bars of "don dee don don." No real words there; none are needed--I guarantee that during your boring daily grind, you'll start singing it to yourself, and the tune alone will make you smile. Now, the voice and tunes would be enough to sell it, but ESB takes it further. Closer listening reveals that the lyrics can stand on their own as good poetry. One part of Hand-Me-Down Love goes, "Some say this outfit suits me; I should button my lip, but our common thread hangs loosely, and it's causing me to slip." How many extended and multiple meanings can you find in these few, quickly sung words? Finally, the instrumentation is as carefully crafted as the other layers, with parts that change and develop along with the flow of ideas in each song. The Bottom Line contains two humorous examples: a sprightly violin part is used to convey the idea of laughter, and later, when Eric sings, "you'd better knock on wood," he really knocks on wood! In conclusion, each song is a masterpiece, and I can't imagine the amount of time, effort, and care that went into every line. No other group does all this! Also check out their other two albums: Blue Dressed in Black, and Bombshellshocked!Eric Stuart Band Picture Perfect WorldThe six songs in this EP are among the most powerful songs in the Eric Stuart Band repertoire to date. In the first song, he sings, “Don’t paint me in a corner,” and this sets the mood for the whole CD. You can hear it in his intelligent lyrics and inexhaustible voice—he is “like a bull in a china shop” and nothing is going to hold him back! My favorite lines from this album are in “A Thousand Years Of Wisdom”: “I’ve been around, but it’s got me nowhere. The more I learn, the less I know.” All throughout, he continues to hit you with his powerful voice and lyrics in every song, until the grand finale, when he finishes you off with a fast-paced transition that grows and grows in energy and speed till it bursts into the final chorus. Every one of these songs is sure to make an indelible, resounding mark of ecstasy on your memory.Eric Stuart Band CuriosityI was truly blessed with a great gift when I acquired the songs from this album that has been out of print for over 10 years! I fully expected that, being his very first album, Eric’s voice and lyrics might be less polished than in his other albums—I’ve never been so happy to be so completely wrong! The only noticeable difference is the lack of electric guitars and some other instrumental flourishes, but these songs still have everything that I have come to know and love about the [L]Eric Stuart band (ESB)[L]. Eric’s voice has the same richness, sincerity, and emotion that can range from charming innocence to bold (very bold!) seduction to overwhelming frustration and anguish. The lyrics are every bit as clever, and the tunes are just as catchy. In fact, the lack of instrumental flourishes just makes my favorite qualities stand out more! And, holy smokes, how they stand out! There is a boldness in Eric’s voice and lyrics in this album which may be indicative of the mood in his younger years. I also notice a wider variety of musical styles, perhaps as he was exploring and experimenting with what he could achieve. In no way does he sound any less polished—in fact, these traits make this album all the more fun to listen to! The more I listen, the more I’m convinced that this is my favorite album of all time!
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