Supply And Demand : Amos Lee : Review : Rolling Stone

Amos lee is a Philadelphia-bred singer-songwriter with a sweet R&B voice, a social conscience and deathly bland songs. His second album recalls both Ben Harper and James Taylor, only it’s less interesting than either, with acoustic accompaniment and lyrics that wear their sensitivity like a badge of honor. Tracks like the minor-key slow song “Sympathize" -- which aches for “the girl on the street/ With holes in her feet" and other downtrodden characters -- seem genuine, but Lee’s generic, deep-feeling affect makes it hard to feel his pain. “Sweet Pea," a bouncy country-pop number, is a nice change of pace, and almost everything else here is finely wrought. Still, barely a quirk or an arresting detail sneaks through -- there’s only sleepy stuff like “The Wind" and the cocaine blues “Night Train," which sound like woodshedding material dressed up for a Starbucks compilation.

CHRISTIAN HOARD

(Posted: Oct 17, 2006)

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Review 1 of 4

5of 5 Stars

I totally disagree with ya on this one Christian.. Music in general is based around emotions.. If you think "acoustic accompaniment and lyrics that wear their sensitivity like a badge of honor" are not a plus in music.. you may want to consider brick laying or some other more appropriate field of study.. Why else would a musician sit on a brightly lit stage in front of thousands of people singing through amplified systems if they weren't trying to get that very point across?

Amos Lee is in a category of his own. His writing and playing is better compared to that of a movie score without the orchestra.

"Supply and Demand", is like a well balanced soundtrack with peaks and valleys performed on guitar, bass, drums, and organ whereas the film is replaced by the soulful voice of Amos lee. It's a great album for those who actually listen to music.

Aug 24, 2007 09:18:47

Review 2 of 4

5of 5 Stars

I'm sorry, but does Mr. Hoard get paid to write reviews??? Why try to squeeze Amos Lee's music into a genre? In my opinion his music stands alone...an emotional journey of surviving raw heartache and coming out still desiring to give and receive love. Only someone who's been there...who really gets it...understands. Most people live on the surface of life...never really feeling, only coasting through life comfortably numbed by their self-induced comas. Mr. Hoard makes reference to Amos's lyrics wearing their emotion like a badge of honor...I know that for those of us who wear our emotions proudly on our sleeves and who are not afraid to express ourselves and come out of our comfortable boxes long enough to really feel the pain...are the only ones who can feel the elation of love and all its blessings...a small price to pay...Amos Lee gets this...and so do his fans! And to hear Amos perform live and see his revelry in his own heartache is truly a moving experience. His music adds meaning to the heartache...adds understanding and depth to our own struggles...something Mr. Hoard is evidently sheltered from.

"You speak of love...but you ain't no lover!!"

P.S. I would hardly call "Sweet Pea" a "country-pop number"...

Apr 27, 2007 09:41:06

Review 3 of 4

4of 5 Stars

Are you kidding me with 2 stars? How this guy could rate(the utterly overrated)John Legend's album higher then this is beyond me. Just saw Amos at Town Hall in New York City and he brought the house down, standing O's and all. I've gotten this CD for half a dozen people and every one of them rave about it. I can't stop listening to it!

Oct 27, 2006 05:57:53

Review 4 of 4

5of 5 Stars

Wow, a whole 2 stars???? With all due respect, did the above reviewer even listen to the entire cd? How about more than once, allowing the music and the message to really soak in? I admit, certain songs take a while to grow on a listener, but Amos Lee is certainly one of the most creative and HONEST singer/songwriters out there today. Every word the man sings has a purpose and a backbone and his eclectic style is one that flows seamlessly, effortlessly, and refreshingly without pretense. How can anyone call music that captures and magnifies so many emotions (that most people seeminly have lost touch with) bland? "2 star" reviews like this remind me why music today is sadly lacking...

Oct 21, 2006 18:30:54

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