Richard Shindell

Not Far Now

2009-05-11

Shindell’s seventh studio release should please his fans, although I don’t think it’s his strongest release. None of the songs here have quite the lyrical power as “The Ballad of Mary Magdalene” or “Are You Happy Now?” although that’s not to say there’s nothing worthwhile here. “Parasol Ants” is an upbeat track that compares God to “a local hood” whose breath “is the gale.” You can guess who the ants symbolize. Unfortunately, the other standout track (in my opinion), “State of the Union,” contains the S-word, so it’s a no-play. On the whole this is a decent release; I just was expecting a little more from an artist who, at his best, writes some really great songs NO PLAY TRACK 7

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 07/2009

    HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN
    WISHFUL THINKING

  • reviewed 05/2009

    CATHERINE MACLELLAN
    Water in the Ground

  • reviewed 06/2011

    THE BOXER REBELLION
    The Cold Still

  • reviewed 01/2010

    MOLINA AND JOHNSON
    MOLINA AND JOHNSON

  • reviewed 05/2016

    Ken Atkins & The Honky Tonk Kind
    This Train

  • reviewed 10/2006

    Jess Klein
    City Garden

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.