Detours

I am a big fan of sheryl crow, and I would say this is her best cd yet. The lyrics are intelligent, insightful, and bold--as is the music. I can listen to this cd over and over again without tiring of it. Highly recommended.

I'm not that big of a fan of Sheryl Crow like some people, but her last album (Wildflower) really made an impression on me, so I was looking forward to hearing her next offering.

I'm now very glad that it was of no cost to me to listen.

The way I see it, music is supposed to catch the ear first, the sensibilites later. Crow has given her fans plenty of listening pleasure in the past but with "Detours" my expectations were figuratively deafened from the sheer number of production misfires contained within the album. I ultimately don't think much of it and here's a blow-by-blow of the reasons why.

The album opens with "God Bless This Mess", which runs on a little too long - this is the type of song that should be short and sweet but it goes on for over two minutes, the acoustic guitar annoyingly repetitious with hardly any chord changes and the audio effect of it sounding like an ages-old recording is a bit strange. "Shine Over Babylon" is the real opener here with its rousing chorus that crescendos nicely and it segues quickly into "Love Is Free". It's obvious why this song was chosen as the first single to be released from "Detours" - it's the best song the album has to offer, the most radio-friendly and it echoes of her past hits (think "Soak Up The Sun", "All I Wanna Do"). "Peace Be Upon Us" is the first song that notifies its listener that this isn't your typical Crow album. Though it starts off admirably upbeat, her duet with vocalist Ahmed Al Hirmi is a strange choice - oddly enough, it all works somehow. The song features Arabic lyrics and at one point Crow wails with Al Hirmi like a devout Muslim calling out to Allah. "Gasoline" has some amusing and biting lyrics, touching upon America's dependence on foreign oil with an acerbic wit, but doesn't quite work as a song; Crow does a Johnny Cash-like recitation rather than full-out singing through most of it.

The tempo of "Out Of Our Heads" just doesn't seem to fit the melody - this song should've been a ballad and the result is a composition that confuses and grates the nerves. Actress Rosanna Arquette is a backing vocalist on this track, making it even more of an anomaly. The song "Detours" rolls along and as the title track is the least noticeable of all the 14 songs contained on this album.

Well, that's tracks 1-7 thus far and the second half of the album redeems little of the first. "Now That You're Gone" retreats back to some of the best of Crow's territory with its soulful, easy tempo and "Drunk With The Thought Of You" is another goodie. Starting off promisingly is "Diamond Ring" which lazily winds on a bluesy beat but it's painfully obvious that parts of the song are out of Crow's vocal range because she's really pushing it on the chorus. This is a woman who is primarily an alto and the repetition of the high-octave refrain has her voice horrendously straining and breaking, effectively killing the entire song. "Motivation" doesn't really have motivation (how ironic) - the lyrics are facetious but empty and the accompaniment is spiritless and unoriginal, making it ultimately forgettable.

I understand that "Make It Go Away (Radiation Song)" is a deeply personal song for Crow and was written at a time of despair and uncertainty while she was being treated for breast cancer. Despite this, it still doesn't resonate the way it should and Crow sounds utterly whiny further on into the track. "Love Is All There Is" isn't noteworthy in the least. "Lullaby For Wyatt" is surprisingly sweet without any of the schmaltz one might expect; it's a really beautiful song on an album full of generally trivial and lackluster compositions.

Bottom line: "Detours" arrangements and lyrics are a little off the beaten path at times and regrettably the album suffers for it. Crow is a good lyricist but this isn't her best work (her writing and arrangement on 2005's "Wildflower" rivals this) and from the sounds of it, she has hit a musical detour. Where this album was intended to go, I don't know. Here's hoping her next one arrives at a better destination.

Detours being Sherry Crow's latest release is a good release that is a bit too political. As anyone whom has read my reviews knows, I have a big aversion for political music. Political music often becomes politics light. Meaning that it dumbs down politics to one liners. Sometimes I get the felling that Crow is trying to hard. Like on the song Peace be Upon Us. The lyrics sound pressed and forced. The social commentary also falls flat many times. Like on the track Gasoline. The book-let is really nice. Crow in many different poses in different outfits that actually looks like she would wear. I like how we get the information of who played what instrument. The lyrics are also presented in an easy to read font. 3/5.

Sheryl has outdone herself on this one. All the songs are lyrical as usual, but the lyrics have alot more to them this time. This is her political protest and she has used this venue well to voice her opinions for an end to the war and our dependence on gasoline. Even a simple ballad like 'God Bless this Mess" has a very poignant message about our current administartion. The "Peace Be upon us" with the Arabic is over the top. She has employed her gift to relay some heartfelt and importatant messages. Viva la Sheryl!

I was thinking it was in a plastic case because I didn't see if it stated what type of case it was in.

Thank you, Sheryl, for doing what so few of your colleagues have dared to do: taking on Bush, Cheney, et al foresquare, with candid, courageous lyrics about what's gone wrong, and why. . .as well as inspirational choruses expressing and engendering hope for a progressive, post-Dubya future. The music itself is adventurous and eclectic, and the CD deepens and richens with each listen. "The Globe Sessions" is still her masterpiece, but this is right up there w/ "Sheryl Crow" and "Wildflower" as Silver-Medal Sheryl -- and her second-bests whomp most artists' "bests."

Sheryl Crow has come a long way since her debut in the 90's "Tuesday Night Musical Club." Granted her style may have changed a bit, but I think it's for the better. My favorite song on the album is "Love Is Free." I love the message and its video. If you're a long time fan of Sheryl Crow you'll enjoy this. If you're just a fan of her radio hits and not a die hard fan you may be dissapointed. If you're open about new styles of music I think you'll enjoy it like me. The songs are well-written and good quality. I only expect the best from Sheryl Crow. She even goes in political and personal songs on this album. I just happen to agree with her politics. Even if you disagree the music still sounds good, you have to admit. Overall I would definately reccomend Sheryl Crow's most recent album "Detours"!

"Detours" exceeded my expectations. Sheryl Crow still has an amazing edge, and this album proves that she remains one of the best songwriters in popular music today. In this age of iTunes and single-song downloads, I'm glad I bought the entire album, because every one of these songs deserves a chance to be heard.

The first track is intentionally simple and it sets you up beautifully for the heavy-handed "Shine Over Babylon", one of my favorite tracks, and one that is trademark Sheryl Crow material. Other favorites include "Motivation", "Drunk with the Thought of You", "Out of Our Heads" and the title track, "Detours". All very solid works, and all of them are stuck in my head as I write this review. The other tracks, while not quite as appealing to me, are still very good and showcase SC's versatility.

I'd give it half a star if I could. Total waste of money on my part.

Now that you gone is the best song that she has ever written in my opinion. I just wish the rest of the CD held up, all of her "political songs" stink. I hate when singers try to push there political agenda down our throats, just because singers can make beautiful music does not make them smart, most of them are rich and stupid.

Sheryl, I have been buying your CD's from the begining and seen you in concert also but if you keep up with this crap you have lost a die hard fan.

I appreciated the sentiment of the lyrics, and found some of the production interesting, but there are too many different styles of songs to feel a flow to the album. There are a few songs I like a lot, but I have to skip through many others to get to them. The ballads are nice, especially the lullabye she wrote for her son. There are some Beatle-esque touches in others.

It is a good album. Give it a chance. I agree that it is political, and has many different styles, and that it is not her best, BUT since when do we fault people for honesty or uniquity (not sure on the spelling of that one). No one complains if people write a sappy but true love song, so why not a song about the current affairs of our world in an honest fashion.

I say there is more Sheryl in this album than there has been in a long time so be grateful for it...

Sheryl Crow rescues her career by turning to Bill Bottrell, her music partner from her first watershed album, "Tuesday Night Music Club". I've liked a lot of her work since then, but she hasn't produced a CD like that one since she and Bill split in mid-album #2 over what... many people speculate about, and probably only the two of them know.

Bottrell's a producer/songwriter/musician that brings out the best in Sheryl Crow. This collection is without a doubt a return to form for her and one hopes she'll work with Bottrell and produce more of this caliber of music.

The collection is really a coupling of two themes, the political Crow and the loved and lovelorn Crow. There are two songs that are exceptions, and they have a lot in common; they are both emotional outbursts from a woman who allowed herself to be featured as part of an "in love duo" in the tabloids, only to be painfully left behind, and a woman who faced and faced down breast cancer.

The crappy:

These two songs, "Diamond Ring" and "Make It Go Away" are whiny, distracting and unworthy of Crow and the rest of the CD. One is a subtle whine about Armstrong and the broken engagement. Even the voice is whiny. The other is a screechy whine about undergoing radiation. While I admire Crow for the hard work she must have done in her recovery from breast cancer, and her unwillingness to milk it for headlines, I really wish she wouldn't have inflicted this song on the world. Little more needs to be said.

The political:

In her "political protest" mode, Crow gave us 6 songs, which lead off the CD. The reaction to them is varied... if you don't like politically themed songs, you wouldn't listen to Sheryl Crow, in my mind. She gives us a "nation is rotten" song, three songs about the middle eastern conflict, a clever song with a "green" theme, and one ditty about the Katrina aftermath. The best of them?


Crow and Bottrell (and two others in collaboration) took a chance with "Peace Be Upon Us" -- the melody and instrumentation are clearly middle eastern in flavor, and Crow's verses are sung in counterpoint with with the same words in Arabic, as sung by Ahmed Al Himi. The message is simple - a call for peace in both the speech of the Western world and the Middle East. I didn't read much in protest of this song, but 2-3 years ago, listeners would have spurned Crow's effort as traitorous. Today, it's a worthy effort.


Sheryl's obligatory Katrina song is fun and infectious.."Love is Free". It focuses on the spirit of the residents of New Orleans, and it's got lyrics to die for:

"You go to church
And pray to God for no more rain
A Cadillac, a paper sack
Hey there, Jack you want some bourbon for the pain?"

And last but not least at all is the imaginative "Gasoline". Ben Harper joins the vocals for an apocalyptic song about looking back on the Gasoline wars of 2017. Crow wages the wars all over the globe, from London to Riyadh to Tennessee to Argentina. The lyrics are masterful, and it's truly a protest song. My favorite line involves the gangs of Mini Coopers battling in the streets. When you hear a Crow song like this you forget the singing and toast the songwriter.

Despite all the high points in the political tunes, the very best of Crow is still to come in the

"Love and Lovelorn" set of 5 songs (there's also a throwaway song mocking Hollywood starlets called "Motivation"):

"Detours" song 7 on the CD is the song I think of as "The paper-thin heart song", from the refrain. Crow is at her best, questioning a mother (real or imagined) about what to do with the fade to gray that is her ability to fall in love. It's poignant, and lyrics and music are a spectacular match.

The best just might be, "Drunk With the Thought of You"...simple, engaging, a real songwriter's description of the high of being in love...."I know you've melted my heart in two".

She closes strong on her loving themes with:

"Love Is All There Is" -- and this is a song that will stay with you. It asks the question that Crow reportedly has asked herself... "Does Anybody Want You?" and showcases her voice better than any other song on the CD.

And finally, Crow closes with a new door opening in her life, and gives us "Lullaby for Wyatt" (the name of her newly adopted son). It's simple and peaceful and has the characteristic I find in the finest lullabies...lifted from the nursery, it coexists as one of those plain old love songs.

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this collection by Sheryl Crow and Bill Bottrell, and how much I hope for more. The CD has enjoyed a lot of airplay in the car over the last six months, and I'm sure that Crow is feeling at home with her music again.

Only three or four songs are worth.
Coming from Sheryl Crow, I was expecting something more original, professional, and creative.
But I'm patient guy, so I guess, better wait for the next album to come out.

Gawd I love Sheryl Crow!! but I'm still waiting for her to bring it back around. She is the real deal do understand that. It's like she is trying too hard, digging too deep and then kind of patching it all together to give us this gift. As many have said, lots going on in her head.... cause she is all grown up!!! with even more responsibilities (last track) but like Annie Lennox and Melissa Etheridge it's all about the cause... the political cause. We hear it constantly, we read it daily now we have to go through it all over again with our favorite music artists because, well they take advantage of their positions amongst us to give us their opinion on how things are in the world. if you agree then enjoy if you don't agree then don't buy it...i guess. Some artists don't subject us to their opinions, they just do everything they can to try and support the solidiers...that's cool. One of these artists is really good friends with Ms Crow...pay attention sheryl!! Leaving on a positive note, tracks 3,6,8 and 13 are worth your time.

This CD reminds me of Sheryl's first CD, Tuesday Night Music Club, which was my favorite of hers. I guess it's the sound, her raw voice, not trying so hard to create a radio "single". I think Detours is a decent effort and the more that I listen to it, the more I like it.

That being said, if you're looking for a 'pop' CD, this isn't it. If you enjoy the unique sound of Sheryl Crow, her voice, her lyrics, the uniqueness of her sound...this will become a favorite. It's already one of mine. Some of my favorite songs are: Detours, Out of our Heads, Love is Free, God Bless this Mess, Diamond Ring and Love is all there is.

I guess I should also address those buyers who are upset with the fact that she's singing about her politicial or world views. I don't think any celebrity who does this is say that their views are MORE important than anyone else's. I think they are just trying to spread their opinion, to maybe open up someone elses views. And why not? I love to blog my opinion for that reason (or write a review for that matter!), so I don't begrudge anyone else that option. I say, more power to the performers who are willing to take a chance and share their views. It doesn't mean I will follow them or change my views, all it means is I will THINK about their words. Is thinking or considering other opinions than your own a bad thing?? It's free speech and if you don't like it, well that's your problem- in my opinion.

Back to Detours.....a great CD!! I like it much better than some of her others like her self-titled CD. So, if you don't mind a little hidden agenda behind some of the songs, and you like Sheryl Crow's music, I think you'll like this cd! I enjoy her because it's always a unique experience.

Poor effort. We all know Sheryl can do much better than this. Shouldn't have wasted the $10.

Detours Received in good order. High quality recording. Enjoyable listening. A happy customer.

I am a huge Sheryl Crow fan and I am very happy she rebounded after her last album "Wildflower" which was just okay for me. This one has got all the things you expect from a good Sheryl Crow record. She's rocky, dancy, happy and mad which balances this album off nicely. Some of my favorite tracks are "Shine Over Babylon", "Out Our My Head", "Now That Your Gone" and "Diamond Ring". If you are looking for a great album look no further then Detours.

Like many of you, I am also a big fan of Sheryl Crow and sadly, I didn't care a whole lot for this album.

Sheryl can do better than this. I have faith in her. But what happened to the style of songwriting that helped create the great albums such as Tuesday Night Music Club, Sheryl Crow, or C'mon, C'mon? Ever since Wildflower, Sheryl's music has taken a turn for the worse. Now I understand, she dislikes George Bush. Who doesn't? But if I want to hear politics, I'll turn on the news. When it comes to my favorite artists, I want you to do what you do best - entertain me. Keep your political ideologies to yourself and just sing me a song to cheer me up and help forget about all the world's problems, even if just for a few minutes.

Sadly, a lot of my favorite artists are producing sub-standard albums these days. I hope they get their acts together soon or they stand to lose a lot of fans.

Political agenda hidden through the lyrics. To bad idiot entertainers think that their opinion is so much better than anyone else's. It is funny that a talent can be twisted and abused just like everything else.

I am a SC fan. Own many of her CDs. Never in my life have I had to force myself NOT to hit the fwd/skip button on my CD player. I kept hoping it would get better. Nope. She wouldn't have made it through an American Idol audition with these songs. The most palatable ones are being played on the radio. Her droning on and on about Lance "This diamond ring..." over and over... Thankfully there is an expletive in that song and it won't make it to radio. Very disappointing CD that you will be able to purchase for cheap very soon.

I have been a Sheryl fan forever. I have thoroughly enjoyed this CD from the moment I heard it. It's honest, moving and inspiring.

I normally love Sheryl's cds and will listen to them over and over until I have memorized it. This one went right back into the case after one run through. Nothing catchy that you would want to sing along with.

There are only two songs on here worth listening to, the others are miserable political tripe, so I downloaded those two off the net. Thanks for the freebies, honey.

I really admire both Sheryl Crow and Bill Botrell so i thought it was cool to hear that they collaborated on this album. Like Stevie Nicks to his Lindsey Buckingham, Rickie Lee Jones to his Tom Waits, anyway....my point is....these two are brilliant musicians. And Detours is brilliant. I think it is her best since her masterpiece, the Globe Sessions. I hadn't been listening to Crow for awhile and when i heard the first two songs, it was like seeing an old friend. What great sounds, words and images. That's enough, just get it!

I love Sheryl Crow's music and watching her journey. This album starts with the surprising political song, "Bless this Mess" recorded to emulate a scratchy 50s or 60s protest song and the effect is excellent. The album continues with great political songs that will be upsetting to some like "Gasoline" which is really over the top to almost funny.

Unfortunately, she doesn't have enough material for a full folk/political album and reverts to many types of songs. Some I really like. But the album becomes uneven and doesn't have good flow. I'm not saying this is a bad album, in fact, I liked it very much. But I would prefer that their be more symetry in the album. That is the only reason I didn't rate this very enjoyable item with the highest ranking possible.

Loved the CD!! Every song, reminds me of classic Sheryl Crow-- would highly recommend to all longtime fans and even "younger" new listeners- it's unfortunate this is not given more airtime because it's truly some wonderful music for present day!

Great CD!!! Sounds a lot like Tuesday Night Music Club, so if you like Sheryl Crow music from the early 90s, you'll really like this!

Sheryl's newest CD is her best yet. Great lyrics and fantastic music. Buy this right now!

I have to confess I've never really gotten into Sheryl Crow. I never disliked her, I just generally drift towards towards the college radio genre and singer songwriters like Josh Ritter. For some reason a few weeks ago I decided I would listen to the sample of the first song on this album - God Bless This Mess. I downloaded the album moments later. I was really caught off guard and amazed by the incredible quality of this album. The songs are incredibly person and as beautiful as poetry. I've listened to this album non stop for about a week now and I'm still discovering things.

Even if you are an unlikely fan I suggest you give this album a try - you'll like it! Presently, the title track is my favorite!

I've been with SC since day one. It seems like she's been able to keep her personal life or opinions out of her songs, until this album. I heard nothing but political jargon and "let's keep things green". I'm sick of celebrities using their pull to share their hidden agenda. I've listened to this album once and wish I could sell it back. Sorry Sheryl. I have better hopes for the next one.

This CD brings Sheryl Crow back to her roots. Back to the early days. Each song is powerful in its own way and she takes more risks than she has in recent years. So Yay! My favorite CD of the month.

Now, whether that works for you as a listener or not depends on whether you want just happy songs or you don't agree with Sheryl's political or religious orientation. In "Shine over Babylon," she has her own prediction, "I sing these songs with a little thanks."

This listener is saying thanks. I think Sheryl's working to take a place next to Joan Baez with those strong folksinging fems who don't shut up and do sing:

"God Bless this Mess" was what my Mom used to say about the house. Well, Sheryl took a lot bigger view:

I heard about the day that two skyscrapers came down
Firemen and policemen people came from all around
The smoke covered the city and the body count did rise
The president spoke words of comfort with teardrops in his eyes
The, he led us as a nation into a war all based on lies

"Make it Go Away-The Radiation Song" takes about her experience with breast cancer and the dilemma I wondered about myself when I faced cancer:

Sometimes I wonder
Which hurts the worse
The thought of dying
Or reliving every hurt

No, this CD isn't all pretty, but it's well done and it's straight from Sheryl's heart. Like Baez, she also did a lullabye and the coda to this CD, "Lullabye for Wyatt" is every mother's wish for their child:

How do I keep you from losing your way
Hope you will find love like I did someday
But love is letting go
And this I'll know
Is you were mine
For a time

Well done, Sheryl.

I am a big fan of Sheryl Crow, but the lyrics were depressing with her political and religious views. I usually love to sing along, but I can not. I honestly felt bad for her back-up singers having to sing these lyrics. The music is good, but the lyrics totally turned me off.

It's clear that Sheryl's been through some changes in her life and some of them very painful. She's poured her emotions and heart into this effort and I have to say its the best, most consistenly solid CD she's produced to date! The highlights include, "Love Is All There Is", the political "Gasoline", "Peace Be Upon Us", "Now That You're Gone", and finally, "Lullaby for Wyatt." Thanks Sheryl for putting out such an emotionally charged effort -- it has helped me heal in many ways myself!

I'm a huge fan and have been from the first CD! It seems like she keeps coming out with something fresh and new. I love her messages. Her lyrics on love and world politics are right on and usually my favorites. I don't always like everyone of her songs but there are always a good number of them that I get "stuck on." It's great to have a pop icon that I can relate to since most of them I can't. My favorite song on this CD is "Peace Be Upon Us." Incorporating Arabic lyrics and vocals was genus! My 6 year old son keeps making me hit the "replay" button when we listen to it in the car.

Singer-song writer, cancer survivor, humanitarian and peace activist; Rock on Sheryl Crow!

Gone is the pop of more recent releases, and just in time. Much more singer/songwriter in vibe, it came accross as being more genuine than any other work past her debut. I would recomend the new Vallejo 'Thicker Than Water' CD as well to fans of honest music, without the dreaded 'POP' element.

I usually love every song on sheryl crows albums. I really only like the second half of this album. I prefer sheryl crows love songs to her political views. I still love her though!

This is without a shadow of a doubt Sheryl's best work since her second album "Sheryl Crow" (in my opinion, her very best release).

I have this CD for sale... cheap. When musicians forget that their gift is from above and inject their own "chip on the shoulder" into the music, it interrupts the flow. This is the first CD of any artist I have purchased in a long time that I am compelled to hit the "next" button on the CD player because the songs are too irritating to finish. (not to mention it's so disappointing I'm writing my first review ever) She should not have detoured into blantant in your face politics. There are a couple of moments when she remembers she is an artist who people pay to hear - not an activist who people do not need to pay to hear. Sheryl, get over your Bush hating - there are more than enough of those types around -- and get back to remembering that you are a gifted musician who should be a bit more humble. Besides, most of us don't need political advice or a life lesson from a 40 something who can't even hang onto a boyfriend.

Well Sheryl, since you quit buying toilet paper (I don't even want to ask how you manage!!) at least you can use this CD packaging instead! Advice... stay out of politics, buy and USE toilet paper, and worry about writing good songs.

Sheryl is one of my very favorite artists and I enjoy all of her music. While I admire her tremendously for her stand against some of our political situations and for her wonderful dealing and recovery with cancer, I sure wish she would get back to writing the fun loving, good times songs that she is famous for. The last two albums have been more of a statement from her about pain, suffering and world problems. I love you Sheryl, but please get back to your fun & pop/rock roots!

I love the musicianship of Sheryl, but I can live without the political problems we face on a day to day basis. Music is my escape- why do I need to be reminded of life through someone else's colored eyes? I understand that that is kind of the genre she belongs to- but it is a bit overwhelming. There are some fun songs included as well.

All in all, I do not believe it is as strong an album as some of her previous work. Maybe with some more time I will feel differently.

I've only listened to it a few times, and it's pretty good. It's classic Sheryl Crow. It's not as good as her first album though!

"Gone is the girl who wanted to have some fun/Gone is the girl who just wanted to soak up the sun." Those words could very easily have been lyrics from Sheryl Crow's brilliant new CD, the unquestionably dark, yet satisfyingly deep, DETOURS. After a very public romance (and break-up), a bout with breast cancer and the adoption of a newborn baby boy, Crow has upped the ante, resulting in an album that may be her most diverse to date, both musically (touching upon influences as varied as The Beatles, Prince, Steely Dan, Bonnie Raitt and Carly Simon, but never copying them) and lyrically (stepping out of both her own head/comfort zone, and succeeding around 90% of the time). Things kick off with the sweetly acoustic "God Bless This Mess." Almost playing a character in a mini-musical movie, Crow seems to be channeling this young girl as she attempts to make sense of an increasingly crazy world around her: "My brother came home yesterday/From somewhere far away/He doesn't look like I remember/As he just stares off into space/He must have seen some ugly things/He cannot seem to say/Oh God bless this mess." Backed soley by her own acoustic guitar playing, the arrangement is sublime, the vocals touching. All in all, a wonderful note to open on. Up next is the rocking "Shine Over Babylon." Granted, the lyrics may be a tad bit heavyhanded, but the soaring chorus in undeniably catchy, and the last couple of lines really hit home ("If everything in life was free/You'd float in your own reverie/The things that you can't seem to see/Seal the gap between you and me"). Then there's "Love Is Free", or as Crow lovingly refers to it, the "Instant Grat Track." This spirited ode to New Orleans could easily be written off as a fun little ditty, what with it's hand claps, Rickie Lee Jones-esque opening groove and Mardi Gras party vibe, but there's a lot more to it than that. This is one of those classic Crow songs that may seem one way on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you'll come up with something entirely different. One of DETOURS' best cuts! Ditto "Peace Be Upon Us", probably my favorite cut off of the album. There's something both ethereal and intoxicating about this track....it's Middle East vibe, soothing vocals, clever arrangement. Add some poetic lyrics ("Pick the key up off the floor/Put the key into the lock/Turn the lock, open up the door/Look at all you've got, look at all you've got") and you have an instant Crow classic! "Gasoline" is proof positive how strong DETOURS really is....even it's weaker cuts are still fun! Yes, once again, the lyrics are a little over the top and preachy, but the bluesy arrangement is hypnotic and tight, the vocals sassy and sexy, the visuals stunning (I mean, c'mon, who CAN'T picture the "gangs of Mini Coopers" or the pumps being dragged "out of the ground with a big vintage John Deere?!?"). "Out Of Our Heads" has a nice, sing-songy groove to it, but once more there's more going on than what appears on the surface....only by getting "out of our heads/And into our hearts" does the world stand a chance...of coming together, of surviving...well, you get the picture! Hmmmm.....heady thoughts, anchored to a pop beat...I believe they call that....oh, ROCK 'N' ROLL!!! The album's title track is another (bitter)sweet moment. We've all been there....our heart broken, our parents trying to console us, their words only partially working A) because we just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel and B) maybe, just maybe, a tiny part of us resents their wisdom and, yes, maybe even their own happiness. Crow captures all of this in a way that is equal parts understated and intense. Very nice! "Now That You're Gone" has a gorgeous Steely Dan - meets - Prince (those little guitar flourishes...!!)vibe, as sung by Bonnie Raitt. Seriously....this song would have fit perfectly on any one of Raitt's first seven albums. Oh, what the heck, she should STILL consider covering it! Toss in the atmospheric cello and soulful backing vocals and you have yet another winner! "Drunk With The Thought Of You" has a cool "Norwegian Wood" feel to it, while "Diamond Ring" is downright painful in it's honesty and rawness. Not since Carly Simon's "In Pain" (from 1980's classic COME UPSTAIRS) has an artist so ravaged both her vocal cords AND heart to get her story across. Haunting, intense, nakedly vulnerable.....this is an artist cracking open her soul. Far lighter ~ but just as enjoyable in a far different way! ~ is "Motivation." Buoyed by a pulsating, percussive beat, Crow nails the young Hollywood crowd and second generation wannabe's who feel they're entitled to it all ("Got no grease on my hands/Got no serious plans/Whole world's waiting for me/'Cause all I gotta do is get it for free"). Amen, Ms. Crow.....amen!! "Make It Go Away (The Radiation Song)" is achingly honest...from the metronome beat of an implied chemo drip to the raspy, pleading vocal, this is the bada** rocker transformed into a quivering, scared little mess ("I crawl into my circumstance/Lay on the table/Begging for another chance/But I was a good girl"). By the time we get to the last verse ("Sometimes I wonder/Which hurts the worst/Was love the illness/And disease the cure/Make it go away")it's like a musical punch in the gut. Chilling and powerful. Much like "Gasoline", "Love Is All There Is" is album filler, albeit smooth, sexy and fun, while "Lullaby For Wyatt" is a lovely, understated ode to new parenthood. So....while some fans might have a problem with her new, more worldly attitudes and views, you better get used to it....DETOURS represents the new, more adult Sheryl Crow, and she's here to stay. Yeah, I get the feeling she still wants to have some fun, but I also sense she now believes that there's more to life than just a good time. And I say, good for her! (As with all my reviews, I'm giving the disc an extra half a star for including the lyrics).

Sheryl Crow rocks. I don't agree with her politics but she can sing about them to me anytime. The song "Detours" made me cry. Her voice has matured and sounds better than ever on this album.

After a few lackluster efforts, Sheryl Crow has released a CD you can sink your teeth into. Starting with her just playing her acoustic on the opening "God Bless This Mess" gets your attention. She is teamed up with one of the producers of the smash "Tuesday Night Music Club" and it shows. Only problem is, one of the songs is a rip-off of "All I Wanna Do." Overall, this is a great CD and I had forgotten how much I enjoy a good Sheryl Crow CD

After the last couple of albums I had a lot of hesitation buying Detours. I have to say that I am ever so glad I did. I have been a fan since Tuesday Night Music Club, and this album really puts me back in time to those days. The album has such great sing-a-long songs on it, and is also very well written. There are some that are rather simple, such as Gasoline and Diamond Ring, but even these are lyrically smart and weave their tales in an excellent manner. The best tracks for me are the ones that I can't help but sing along with like Love Is Free, Out of Our Heads, and Motivation. These have a great flow and make you want to tap your fingers on the steering wheel. For me this album is a hit, and I highly recommend it for any fan of mid/late nineties to early/mid 2000s Sheryl.

"Detours" is clearly Sheryl Crows' best album since "The Globe Sessions". Its hard to imagine that "The Globe Sessions" is actually about ten years old now. Since then, I haven't particularly been blown away by Sheryl's music - her albums have gotten progressively more generic, and her Greatest Hits album, while well deserved, did nothing for long-time fans such as myself. The pressure on her to deliver on "Detours" from within her critical fan community was immense, and its a great surprise that this album far surpassed our wildest imaginations. Crow has still go it.

The most excellent thing here is a folk-soaked guitar song called "Peace Be Upon Us". I've actually been playing this as I doze off to sleep the last few nights because its just so... affecting. This has also got to be the most eclectic Sheryl Crow song ever - because it features passages in Arabic, Hebrew, and Hindi. Amazing. The subtle sing-along chorus will have you hooked with one listen. Song of the album indeed.

The album opener, "God Bless this Mess" is a slow, muted look at the political landscape today. What I liked is that Sheryl didn't limit her political consciouness just to the United States, but addresses world issues ("Gasoline") on this record with a stark frankness that has not been witnessed in her earlier work. Especially poignant is her childlike hope that "Love is Free" on the single - such optimism and hope coming from a woman in her late 40s who has literally seen and done it all, is extremely refreshing.

I liked the entire Joni Mitchell meets Carly Simon vibe that this album has going for it. From the casual cover art to the stellar music - from the human rights messages to the poignant songs about lost love; the album has it all. For years, I counted only Sheryl's self-titled second album and her "Globe Sessions" disc to be the best things in her catalog. After years of producing radio-friendly singles ("Soak up the Sun", etc), its truly an honor to see Crow return to the musical landscape that she is best at. As the final track plays - "Lullaby for Wyatt", you are left speechless at Crows' mastery over her art-form, and the way she conjures up an idyllic view of Americana in general - this is something that more people should experience and appreciate.

"Detours" is certainly the best release of 2008 so far, and the second-best Sheryl Crow album of all time. Get this as a blind buy if you must - but do get it. Track for Track, Song for Song - this is an artist at her creative peak, and its a must-have in any music collection.

Four Stars.