Audio CD review:
John Wesley Harding - Confessions of St. Ace

John Wesley Harding - Confessions of St. Ace

Band: John Wesley Harding Title: Confessions of St. Ace Rating: Release Date: 2000-08-29 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Humble Bee 2: She's a Piece of Work 3: People Love to Watch You Die 4: I'm Wrong About Everything 5: Same Piece of Air 6: Old Girlfriends 7: Bad Dream Baby 8: Goth Girl 9: You in Spite of Yourself 10: Our Lady of the Highways 11: After the Fact 12: Too Much into Nothing

No, it really is bad... Maybe the title of the only likeable song was an omen. I was so impressed with "I'm Wrong About Everything" (and still am) as used in the movie "High Fidelity" that I couldn't even imagine that the rest of the album would actually be bad. I was wrong, and it's bad. The lyrics for every other song are corny. The music is mediocre and his drony voice begins to grate after a few songs. As for the cover and the St. Ace story on the inner sleeve. . . Ah, yeah. . . Best left filed under "John Wesley Who?". Buy this record. A catchy pop album with wit to spare. There's not a track on this one I don't like. . Quick review Surprisingly good throughout. It's funny how Harding and Elvis Costello are easily compared yet this cd is better than any Costello has done (of this form) since Blood and Chocolate. nonsense defense and travel tips -- have their share of beautiful nonsense. As if "Well, I see you got your brand new, leopard-skin, pillbox hat" had some greater meaning? Plenty of "serious" lyricists -- Dylan, Guthrie, etc. That said, I fail to see how HUMBLE BEE's perfectly constructed choruses don't deliver the goods. And, his collaboration with Steve Earle on "Our Lady of the Highways" is gonna sound even sweeter when I'm driving to Philly for the holidays, this year. If you ever find yourself driving north on I-95, just a few miles south of the Maryland/Delaware border toll booth, look to your right and you'll see her. Buy New Deal instead Neither of us could fight our way through this album. My wife and I have seen Wes in concert several times over the last twelve years, and listen to his albums often. The lyrics show a complete lack of imagination. I wish that I could comfort myself in the fact that this album will bring his music to a larger audience, but I don't believe that is the case. You can see a complete list of all John Wesley Harding discography, or go back to the John Wesley Harding tabs