Lyle Lovett Album: “Natural Forces”

Whew!

There are many artists I used to listen to early on in their career and in the course of time lost interest. They may have changed too much, they may have changed too little, they may have started to appeal to the masses and I have started to turn away in a stupid "but I knew them back when..."-attitude. Whatever the reason, it happened with John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, R.E.M., Big Country to name but a few, and yes, it also happened to me with Lyle Lovett. The first album of his I bought was Pontiac and I fell in love with "If I Had a Boat", "Walk Through the Bottomland" and "L.A. County". I stopped buying his CDs after "Step Inside This House", still gave them a listen but then decided to spend my money on Son Volt, Todd Snider or Ryan Bingham.

Until "Natural Forces" that is: "Natural Forces" is good ol' Lyle and still fresh and new that I'm looking forward to the first time I put this in my CD changer in the car next spring and roll down the window driving along the country roads. It's not as good as "Pontiac" but it comes damn close. Try the title song, the stompin' "Pantry", the plaintive "Empty Blue Shoes" or the Townes cover "Loretta" and you'll see what I mean.

There are few artists that I have loved for the duration of their careers. One of the other of us grows apart. Lovett's music has sustained me for years. I love his humor, his sentimentality, and the sheer level of musicianship here.

Here are a dozen songs covering everything from lost love to the music business. Most of the music here is from Lovett's more country style rather than the large band and it's good introspective music.

Following is just a sample of a few of the dozen songs on this recording:

"Whooping Crane" talks of all the ecological blessings we've lost from species to drinkable water and natural elements.

"Keep it in Your Pantry" is Lovett at his punny best. Folks on Weight Watchers should probably avoid this song.

"Loretta" is a homage to Townes. Everyone's covered this song from Norah Jones to Steve Earle. I'd say Townes is smiling over this love ballad to his Eternal Girl.

"It's Rock and Roll" is another song about the music business. Probably every artist has one somewhere and many have been recorded.

While this is not my very favorite Lovett recording, I still think it's a great addition for any Lovett fan.

Rebecca Kyle, October 2009

This album finally recorded Natural Forces and an acoustic version of Pantry. These songs are great live and I've been lucky enough to see them a few times. Good, genuine, interesting, meaningful, and fun music. If you're already a fan, get this, if not, try it out and see. I'll add more after I've had time to listen to the whole album a couple times. Thank you Amazon, for giving us this early and also giving us a great deal.

What an excellent album! Lyle Lovett fans are gonna like this! Lyle is at his very best and there's a great selection of songs on this album. He has fine arrangements for these tunes, too; and that enhances them all the more. Lyle possesses a rare talent for performing at a very high level; and this CD proves it. The quality of the sound is first-rate, too; and I love that artwork.

There really isn't a dud in the bunch here. "Natural Forces" has Lyle singing and that musical arrangement is lush without taking the spotlight away from his vocals--impressive! "Farmer Brown/Chicken Reel" is totally awesome; Lyle--or any other artist--couldn't have done this any better! Now THIS is high quality control music.

"Pantry" is excellent country; Lyle makes this seem so easy but of course we know it really isn't all that way--Lyle's talent carries him through. "Whooping Crane" has a beautiful arrangement and Lyle does this with all his heart and soul--I love it. "Bayou Song" and "Bohemia" are very well done; I like "Bohemia" in particular. Give it a listen! It's easily a major highlight of the album.

"Sun and Moon and Stars" has Lyle in the spotlight; and that guitar arrangement is very creative and special. "Loretta" is quite memorable and "It's Rock and Roll" will stay in your mind for quite some time after you hear it. The CD ends strong with Lyle Lovett performing an acoustic version of "Pantry;" this sounds just splendid.

Lyle Lovett fans are really getting a fine treat here; and this is so good it's also a great starter CD for people new to Lyle Lovett's artistry. I highly recommend this stellar album.

I own ever Lyle Lovett ever made, including this one, and this is the only one I probably won't keep. Now, I can't give anything Lyle has done 1 star, but 2 stars might be generous, especially when the work is compared to his other records. He only wrote a few of the songs, and a couple of those are goofy throwaways. Overall, the record is very subdued and just fine for playing during a nap. However, if you want more than that, try any of his other albums and consider passing this up.

So, for anyone trying to decide whether to buy this record, don't trust all of the 4 and 5 star reviews. Those folks must have been hired by the record company. It's either that, or they are just plain nuts. And you don't have to believe me either. Just listen to the thing first and make up your mind before you buy.