Late For The Sky - JACKSON BROWNE***

Late For The Sky/Fountain Of Sorrow/Farther On/The Late Show/The Road & The Sky/For A Dancer/Walking Slow/Before The Deluge

Singer songwriter Jackson Browne consolidated his growing reputation with the release of his third album Late For The Sky. Unfortunately most of the songs are ponderous and forgettable. (US:14)

“This entire genre of music holds no appeal for me. The focus is on the words, with the music little more than a pleasant backdrop to the singer's ruminations about love, life and death. Even the melodies take a backseat.”

“The lyrics are always thoughtful and introspective, which is a trademark of the artist, but here they are especially so.”

“Jackson Browne had everything going for him on this album. The singing is good, the passion is there; the backing is superb yet subtle. Everything works as he deals with the usual theme of love, life and loss. With the exception of a few songs too dragged out, the album is a classic of the singer-songwriter genre.”

“Well-played but very dull and static set of songs that picks up ever so slightly on side two. The only legitimate reason for listening to this is the opening title track.”

“Jackson Browne's defining moment came with this sombre, emotionally charged, heartbreaker of an album. Few artists have conveyed the highs and lows that come with love as wonderfully well as he does here. But beware this is a very gloomy, existential work that can seem slow, laid back and ponderous to the casual listener.”

“Jackson Browne is one of the most introspective and reflective songwriters in music. On his breakthrough album, Late For The Sky, he questions mortality and what lies beyond this life. The titles of the songs are allusions to death or dying. The subject matter sounds like it would make for an uncomfortable listen, but Browne is so sincere and pours his emotions into the music, that you are swept up by its plaintiveness.”

“I am a big fan of Jackson Browne and this one is my favourites. Each song is a work of art, the lyrics are powerful and eloquent, backed by music that conveys perfectly the mood of each song.”