And actually, probably only for them, because “Evolution” brings perhaps relatively coherent, but infinitely generic songs. In the artist's own words, the change of heart about releasing another album was due to the fact that she had collected some songs “that came from sitting in silence and writing from a deep place in my soul.”
Of course, such a confession looks beautiful in promotional notes and in some blurbs that can be found in online stores. Meanwhile, it is hard to resist the impression that in terms of women's songwriting, “Evolution” is impossibly strained and uninteresting, and that artists from related categories – whether we are talking about (alt-)country or (indie-/pop-)folk – have escaped Sheryl by at least several lengths.
So, both on the folk and more pop levels, we can find plenty of female artists who are more engaging, who propose more interesting sound solutions, and finally who simply write much better songs.
It's in the sound Sheryl Crow, which means – and let's not forget about the radio rotation and how many platinums it gained in the 1990s – that it no longer fits the artistic and commercial reality. This, of course, does not have to be an objection in itself. On the contrary, it can often be an advantage. Walking against expectations and fads is the very essence of the core of the marrow of what it is to be an artist.
However, this is not the case here. Crow does not make a conscious move against trends, but simply shows every now and then that the trolley has left and she is left on the platform with a huge suitcase full of completely unnecessary luggage and a pennant from Clinton's presidential campaign in her hand.
I'm not calling her vocal quality quite average, because in this genre not everyone has to be a diva, but simply all the emotions that our veteran conveys have the temperature of a bain-marie tomato in a milk bar “Promyk” or another “Słoneczko”. In contrast to her friends, who can tear your heart to shreds, Crow can only irritate the scab on her shin with her claw.
I really, honestly tried to find at least one successful item on this album. One that will be remembered without the help of intrusive promotion (which probably won't be the case with “Evolution”, at least on this side of the ocean).
I only found one, and that too with very low requirements – namely the title track. A very unsuccessful, artistically unjustified album. I advise you with all my heart: avoid it, there is so much better music in the world (and in this genre) that there is no point in wasting your time.
Sheryl Crow “Evolution”, TheValory Music Co.
4/10