From Amazon.com
Indigo Girls - Get Out The Map........
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: "Shaming Of The Sun" was the last Indigo Girls album to get a significant amount radio of airplay. The single "Shame On You" made it onto radio in some formats and indeed is a great little song. This album starts out strong with some really great cuts in the first half and then kind or peters out a bit in the second half. This album is more rock oriented than some of their more folksy material with loud electric guitar prevalent on quite a few tracks. Personally I think the Indigo Girls are great when they rock out, but I know that it puts some of their fans off. Highlights on this one are "Get Out The Map", "Shed Your Skin" and "Caramia" that features some absolutely stunning big chorus harmonies. As mentioned earlier I don't think the 2nd half of the album holds up as well as the first, although I do like the tenth track "Cut It Out" quite a bit. Overall this is a rather average Indigo Girls album, but everything they do is well done and this one is no exception. You can currently buy this album used on Amazon for less than a dollar. For that price this is a no brainier.
Important and Appreciated!
Album Rating: (3 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: This album has often been referred to as one of the weaker Indigo Girls albums, and I have to admit that I tend to agree on this; but since there are no really weak albums by the duo, maybe it doesn't really matter that much.
The problem may be that many tracks, though seperately fine songs, do not seem to have the quality that make you remember them and want to hear them again. And generally this is probably the least melodic Indigo Girls album; it is also among the most electric, with electric guitars and drums on most tracks.
The albums starts off greatly, though, with one of their coolest rockers, "Shame on You", written by Ray. The opener is followed by another highlight, Emily Saliers' melodic "Get Out the Map".
There are obviously other solid tracks, but apart from the two first none really stand out.
On second thoughts, "Don't Give That Girl a Gun" and "Everything in its Own Time" also deserve to be brought out.
Though not their best album, still an important and appreciated release.
"It's alright... hate me cuz I'm different"
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: It was the beginning of a few albums of abberrations for the Indigo Girls - most resulting in some winning, very good songs, and some less winning, not so good songs. That doesn't all add up on Shaming of the Sun, famous for being the first "mostly electric" album the girls had made - Amy's rock number "Scooter Boys" scatters her "blood of the Indians" chest-thumping a little too liberally, and "Cut it Out" strains at the sensuality of hard rock. But certain new attempts are outstanding - "Leeds" is packed with Emily Sailers' poetic dissections as usual, but set up as a piano ballad, it's strikingly original. "Caramia" may be the most theatrical ballad the band's created, but it's also amongst the most striking and heartfelt. And the single "Shame on You" is the sort of fun, pop-radio single the girls had seemed to be striving for ever since "Closer to Fine," but it's actually much better - it's nimble, sexy, and even a little politically furious. It's everything the Girls strive for - and sometimes succeed at.
Not their best work
Album Rating: (2 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I have been a big fan of the IG for many years now, and find great songs and new things to be excited about with each new album. Sadly, this one is the exception to that rule. I get the impression that they were trying to hard to achieve a "departure" from their norm, with the more electric, harder-edged sound, more overtly political lyrics, and those very strange backup vocals. If you're a diehard fan looking for some of their more experimental stuff, this is the album for you-- otherwise their are better choices, both older and newer.
Not Bad
Album Rating: (3 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: The Indigo Girls, I think, hit their pinnacle with Rites of Passage. It would seem that the craft of the song has some to do with the meter and control of the introspection. I don't feel I learn anything new from listening to the recent CDs of the Indigo Girls, but they still have a remarkable and unique sound that puts them high on the music food chain. Even if their whining about not being taken seriously as artists is a little annoying considering the huge following they have and will continue to have in the future.
Well, if you are new to the Indigo Girls, check out any of their albums. You might like what you hear.
Purchases
1 Shame on You - Indigo Girls, Ray, Amy
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