Search - John Hiatt :: Same Old Man

John Hiatt's New Album - Great Album, So So Title Track

Mark | East Coast | 05/14/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This new album by John Hiatt is a very compelling work of soulful introspective ballads delivered in his signature rough voice. Overall I like the album very much. There are a few disappointments for me, mainly the title track. That aside, I like most else that is here.



It's awesome that Amazon is selling the MP3 version before the official release of the CD version. That gave me a chance to get all these songs at a great price and not have to wait for the CD to be released for shipment. Thanks Amazon!



John Hiatt has to be compared to Tom Waits because of his voice and his song-writing style. Yet he often reaches for "Dylanesque" themes and complexities. Some of his songs remind me of Willie Nelson because of his writing style and under-stated delivery. His voice has that gutteral feel of Joe Cocker or perhaps an elder Johnny Cash with more roughness. This is not music for the masses but rather music for those who are willing to really work to appreciate a great song-writer despite cosmetic flaws. In fact, the roughness of John Hiatt actually adds a lot of character to the music. Like I said, not for everybody, but for those who do get over the hesitation well worth the price of admission.



John does have a very cult-like following, once again very similar to Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. Sometimes it seems that his fans believe he does no wrong. Well here some mistakes seem to have been made.



The title track "Same Old Man" sounds like a roughly sung pop song instead of the powerful song-writing we get with John's best stuff. It starts flat with him almost speaking the lyrics. When he does start to sing a little bit, you can't help but notice that the lyrics on this title track aren't as good as the other songs on this album. In fact they are a little over-simplified.



Why this was chosen as the title track is beyond me. Maybe it has some personal meaning to him. In any case, it's still OK. It's just not up to the standard Mr. Hiatt has set for himself.



The other songs are great and you can even preview them here before you buy them.



"Hurt My Baby" is the kind of deliberate and deep ballad we expect and love from John. Probably my favorite song on the album so far. "Our Time" has to be a close second and is very similar in profundity and delivery.



"Old days" is kind of a "John Cougar Melloncamp" recollection song with some interesting hooks.



"Love You Again" brings Bob Seeger to mind for me. "Cherry Red" is a similar kind of track and both have radio play potential.



"On with You" and "Ride My Pony" add that country / blues feel that makes John accessible.



Once again, the title track has decent hooks but perhaps too pop for me. But by the time he closes with "Let's Give This Love A Try" he has more than redeemed himself.



If you're a huge fan, you're going to buy this no matter what. If you're on the fence or newly initiated, I hope this review helps you to appreciate what John Hiatt has created here.



Enjoy.

"

John Hiatt's new CD 'Same Old Man' among his best

Jim Wink | 05/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Hiatt



"Same Old Man" (New West)



John Hiatt's conversational lyrics sound off-the-cuff, which means they likely resulted from many hours of labour. The work was worth it, because "Same Old Man" ranks with the best music of Hiatt's 34-year recording career.



He sings about love in the opening round and love on the ropes, about food and paper cuts and "doppelganger caterwauling." "Same Old Man" is sweet but not sentimental, tuneful, honest and very, very funny.



On his first release since 2005's fine "Master of Disaster," Hiatt produced and engineered himself, and he puts his voice front and centre. As always, Hiatt sings like someone straining to complete the final set of the night at the local roadhouse. The raw vocals are a perfect match for such songs as "Hurt My Baby," where pain is palpable as Hiatt delivers the chorus.



He's supported by bass, drums and Luther Dickinson, who plays guitar and mandolin and provides an ideal counterpoint to the vocals by making every note count. Hiatt's daughter, Lilly, contributes lovely harmony on two songs.



Dad delivers his droll lyrics as if they're throwaways, which makes them even better. "I'm a long shot, baby," he sings. "But they do come in." In fact, "Same Old Man" laps the field.



CHECK THIS OUT: On the hilarious opener "Old Days," Hiatt reminisces about his early touring career and crossing paths with John Lee Hooker, Gatemouth Brown and other bluesmen. He concludes the memories aren't that sweet because "I played practically free."

"

John Hiatt's best in a long while

Blue Ruins | Las Vegas, NV United States | 08/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Never met a John Hiatt album I didn't like, but this one is cream of the crop.

For me 'Walk On' was Hiatt's last album for the ages. The self-aware and lackluster follow up, 'Little Head', was a bit of a disappointment and it's been a mixed bag since then. Certainly 'Crossing Muddy Waters' was a stand-out in a stellar catalogue.

I was worried when I found out he was working with many of the same lineup as 'Master of Disaster' because that one just never seemed to gel for me. Something just seemed a bit worn and maybe like it's just coming a little too easy for John nowadays.

'Same Old Man' is a pleasant surprise. Though it shares the same stripped down vibe as 'Master of Disaster', this one comes off as vibrant and fresh. Hiatt's tone is much more conversational, personal, and the music is more intimate and urgent. John has stretched some of his phrasing near the breaking point and pulled off more levels of depth in these lyrics than he has of late. In short he sounds like he means it again.

His voice is a showing it's age a bit, but it's the honesty and feeling that comes through on this great John Hiatt album. Really humorous, confessional, insightful and poetic...prime Hiatt.

Keep it up old man."