Average Customer Review: ( 15 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 A thoughtful, soulful, intelligent album Oct 30, 2003
By DJ Joe Sixpack
I wasn't wild about the musical end of this album -- Walker and his production are both a bit thin -- but the lyrical content is quite striking. Although Walker only wrote a couple of the songs, this album has a very personal feel, and a sense of cohesion and depth that is all too rare in contemporary pop and country. It opens with the title track, which is one of those lofty efforts that I call "issue songs," a subgenre I don't generally care much for, as it seems opportunistic and contrived. However, on this track (which was also the album's lead single), Walker may surprise a few folks with his sincere questioning of our world's injustice and imbalances, not merely deploring when "bad things happening to good people," but also questioning the privelege and affluence he enjoys as a modern American. Even more surprising is that the album actually continues along in the same vein, for song after song. Walker returns to the issue of American materialism and spiritual drift on songs such as "Everybody Needs Love," the potentially controversial "Jesus Was A Country Boy" (where he sings, "I bet he never had a million dollars/or wore a lot of fancy clothes...") and, most effectively, on "This Is What Matters," where Walker encourages the world to turn off the cell phones and fax lines, and kick back with nature, family and friends for awhile. The album is dedicated, not surprisingly, to "the good Lord," but Walker eschews the self-serving "told you so" smugness that many self-styled Christians drape themselves in, and actually seems to be searching for both answers and for a personal philosophy that will allow him to live life as a good, whole human being, one who is engaged with other people and with the world around him... He's not parading his religion, he's actually exploring his spiritual values, and it's an interesting effort, made all the more thought provoking for the highly commercial context. This isn't the greatest Nashville-style country I've ever heard, but it is a substantive, earnest album, notable amid an ocean of crass, cynical, individualistic self-involvement. Good for Clay!
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
He's back and better than ever! Sep 21, 2003
By DanD
It's safe to say that Clay Walker has one of the countriest voices in the music business today. He was made to sing country music--which is good, for those of us who're his fans. "A Few Questions" is a powerful CD, full of good music and good times. It also has a wide range of material--from powerful, emotionally-charged ballads like the title track, "I Don't Want to Know," "I Can't Forget Her", and "I Can't Sleep"; to country-rockers like "Everybody Needs Love", "Swee Sun Angel," and "Countrified"; to sexy rock/country blends like "I'm In the Mood for You" and "When She's Good She's Good" (but when she's bad she's better); and laid-back country tunes like "Jesus Was a Country Boy", "Heaven Leave the Light On," and "This is What Matters." Walker doesn't display his songwriting ability on this album as much--which may or may not be a good thing. Let's just say that the album is great the way it is. There are a few flaws--"Coming Back Again" is a bit awkward, and even good tunes like "Everybody Needs Love" and "Sweet Sun Angel" are a bit cliched. Still, Clay Walker delivers a good album with his excellent voice. There is no question about it: "A Few Questions" is one of the best albums of the summer (or fall, depending on your point of view). Just...ah, heck, just buy this album, because it's worth every penny you spend!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
CD full of #1 Hits Sep 17, 2003
By TarHeelCWFan
This is a great cd, with 13 songs to sing along to. Clay shows off his writing ability again, as co-writer of Jesus Was A Country Boy and I Can't Sleep. All of his songs are great. Once again I have to say `my favorite song is the one that is playing now.' This is really the album to get. Wonderful!! Thanks Clay Walker and Band for a #1 Album.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Clay does it again! Sep 13, 2003
Wow... Clay Walker has once again produced an amazing array of work! This is definitely more along the lines of his last album, "Say No More". It is a very mature record, with Clay showing his superior range as a musician. "Just A Few Questions", the first song to hit the radio, is a wonderful song all the way around. It is a "thinking" song, the music is beautiful, and Clay's voice compliments the lyrics and "feel" of the song perfectly. One of my other favorite slow songs on this album is "Heaven Leave the Light On". I think that this song may have something to do with Clay's fight with MS; but at any rate, it is a beautiful song that will be sure to get you thinking and reflecting on your own life. "When She's Good She's Good", Clay played at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this past March, and it was a real crowd-pleaser. It certainly will not disappoint anyone, with its rock rythms and catchy lyrics. I hope that "Everybody Needs Love" is the next single to come off of this album. It is a very "cute" song, but the lyrics are so true. This is a very catchy, up-beat cute song that will lift you up when you're down! Overall, an excellent record, as always. Perfect for anyone, whther they are a country music lover, classic rock lover, or anything in between. This is a must-buy! Clay, thank you for another amazing record, and I'm so glad an artist has finally been able to put some spirituality on their record, and still be classified as a "mainstream" artist. Congratulations on a job well done! Can't wait to see you in Houston this March (for the 6th year in a row)!
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
The Best Voice in the biz Sep 25, 2003
By bradpaisley@1musicro
Though this is not Clay's best overall album to date, there are a couple of songs here that just may be the best he has ever recorded. The title cut, "A Few Questions" and the song titled, "I Can't Forget Her" are worth the price of the album alone. The latter of the songs has a "Tex-Mex" haunting sound to it. It stands apart from any material Clay has recorded in his outstanding career. Overall, the cd is pretty solid. There are a few "throw out" songs that shouldn't have made the cd, but with a voice like Clay, they are tolerable to listen to. Maybe next time Clay will record some songs written by the combo of Tony Martin & Mark Nessler or Montana solo writer, Spencer Winegar (3 of country's best). Martin/Nessler & Winegar could have definitely replaced the "throw out" material here with some quality songs.
See all 15 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 15 reviews
