Music is my life. Everything can be expressed, handled or just felt more deeply with the right chord or phrase. I have been blessed with some amazing friends and am still at that point where my life is an open book. If you’d like, stick around for a bit and help me write a few chapters…Exodus Is Yours, Love
May 8th, 2008Once in a blue moon while talking to my dad on the phone, he randomly asks if I have one of his cds. Not just any cd but some specific album that he has a hankering to listen to and can’t because he doesn’t know where it is. Now, I haven’t lived permanently in my parents’ home in years, but he still thinks that I have (stolen) some of his things. Most of the time I don’t know where the desired disc is and tell him to ask Zac, however every once in a while, when I say this… I lie. I don’t mean to steal from my dad. I just happen to borrow things and never return them. Isn’t that what all kids do?!?! In my mind, it’s his fault for having such great musical taste and exposing me to albums that I fall in love with. I mean if he took better care of his
things I wouldn’t have the opportunity to swipe ‘em, right?
Today’s album of the week is one such album. Back in 1994 the world was introduced to Hootie and the Blowfish when their debut Cracked Rearview Mirror went platinum over 16 times and became one of the biggest albums of the 90′s. It was hard to escape their hits “Only Wanna Be With You”, “Let Her Cry”, “Hold My Hand”, and “Time” on the radio. Thanks to Cracked Rearview Mirror the world was introduced to lead-singer Darius Rucker or ‘Hootie’. After their next few albums failed to reach the peaks of success obtained by their debut, Rucker went back to the studio alone in 2002 to record Back To Then, his first solo effort.
Classified as neo-soul, this album highlighted the voice behind Hootie while allowing Rucker to spread his soulful wings. From the honesty of “Ten Years” to the feel good head-bopping beats of “Wild One”, Rucker breaks away from Hootie mold and establishes his musical presence. Personally, I love his pledge of commitment in “Exodus”, the self-declaration of “This Is My World”, his duet with Jill Scott “Sometimes I Wonder”, and the album title “Back To Then”. Whether you listened to Cracked Rearview Mirror and fell in love with the strength and raw emotion in Rucker’s voice or have no idea who I’m talking about, this is no Chris Gaines-esque project. Rucker is the real deal, so lay aside your preconceived notions of who you think he is and let the music take over.
Wild One: “See, I’m a demon on the loose. I’m like an engine with no caboose.”
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Exodus: “And all the things you’re going through, I will bear the weight with you.“
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Sometimes I Wonder: “You make me feel like I’ve seen the sun.”
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Back To Then: “Joy replaced with pain, and I don’t think we’ll ever be the same.”
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This Is My World: “But you want me to change. Still I can’t get used to all you want me to be.”
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