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Civilians

Joe Henry Format: Audio CD
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
$19.95
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Audio CD, September 11, 2007
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Since the release of 2003's acclaimed "Tiny Voices", singer/songwriter Henry has appeared mainly as a producer, working on career defining releases by Aimee Mann, Ani DiFranco, Elvis Costello, Solomon Burke, and most recently as producer and co-writer of "Strange Weirdos" (with Loudon Wainwright), the soundtrack to the film "Knocked Up". Working with this generation's finest songwriters inspired Joe to his strongest set of songs on "Civilians"; songs of a new warmth and directness and a bold sense of melody that rides atop the cutting edge arrangements he's become known for. Features legendary pianist/songwriter Van Dyke Parks (everyone from the Beach Boys to U2) and jazz guitar pioneer Bill Frisell (Elvis Costello, Norah Jones).

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Though Joe Henry has recently been busier as a producer (for the Grammy-winning Solomon Burke, a well-received collaboration between Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, and Henry's own collaboration with Loudon Wainwright III), his first recording of his own material in four years reminds that he has few peers among contemporary singer-songwriters. On previous releases, his adventurousness has pulled his music in all sorts of different directions, but focus and cohesion characterize this song cycle--one that suggests that all politics aren't merely local, but deeply personal. From the centerpiece of "Our Song," where Willie Mays laments what the country has become and remembers what it was, Henry crafts a literate, typically inspired song cycle. Stately waltzes, chamber atmospherics, and jazz instrumentation contribute to the cinematic scope of the music, with guitarists Bill Frisell and Greg Leisz and keyboardists Van Dyke Parks and Patrick Warren providing support that leaves the songs plenty of room to breathe. On "You Can't Fail Me Now" and "God Only Knows," it's hard to distinguish poetry from prayer. --Don McLeese

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.7 x 0.31 x 4.96 inches; 2.72 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Anti
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ July 28, 2007
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Anti
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000UE64SS
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

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4.5 out of 5 stars
57 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • crispy critter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Career Best
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    Civilians is the best album yet from this brilliant artist.The smoke and mirrors work on every level on this one.It is a complete of a work as a beautiful film, integrating head and heart like no previous effort.I have all of his releases and while all are brilliant, this one has the edge. I really can recommend everything by this artist, but this one leaves the park, with such musicians as Bill Frissell, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren,David Piltch, Jay Bellerose, & Van Dyke Parks. I just saw Joe live last night in San Francisco- and as someone who has seen hundreds of shows since the late 60's this was one of the best performances I have seen. It was unforgettable, Joe, with just 3 pieces (Bass, Drums, and Keys), brilliantly performed Civilians, with arrangements and musicianship that left jaws on the floor...Apparently the 3rd time he has performed the suite, he is a powerful, and humble presence. One of the best in these times, see him if you can, he rarely tours.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Steve
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    At first this seemed like a letdown as compared to Tiny Voices which was a wild carnival ride. Civilians is much more subtle than Tiny Voices or even Fuse, but now upon repeated listenings, I think Civilians definitely holds its own, though (minor criticism) I think the lyrics are a bit strained on some of the songs--not as consistently strong as on Fuse and Tiny Voices. Nontheless, this is definitely a CD to own and treasure. There are few artists out there who are as consistently interesting as Joe Henry. I hope he never gives up recording, since it sounds like he's pretty active as a producer.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • McKinzie Brantley
    4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and melodic
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2015
    This is a solid record, consistent musically with some life to it. I've been a fan of Henry's since Murder of Crows and in some ways this record harkens back toward earlier works like Scar or his 90s records. Sometimes, JH focuses so much on the sound of his records that the songs bog down in the atmospherics. Not here. Nice balance between thoughtful lyrics and songs that have a beginning, middle and end.

    Like most JH records this one has elliptical lyrics (that deserve repeat listens), occasionally gets downbeat, and is probably one or two songs too long. But no one does what Henry does and when he's right, it's breathtaking. I like the upbeat opening track, Parker's Mood, Scare Me to Death, and Write My Book, but there are many more enjoyable songs here, too. As someone who loved Henry's alt-country-Jayhawks era and was occasionally left cold by his jazzier, less melodic collections from 2000 on, this record is a welcome balance and one of my favorites.
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  • Albert
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gets better at every listen
    Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I love this guy! I have four earlier Joe Henry albums, all good. This one seems to gets better with every listen. Since buying it I can't tell you how many times I've listened to it over and over, and I have yet to tire of it (I'm sure I'll grow to hate it after my, oh, one hundreth listening in a row). This is a songwriter that knows how to write lyrics as well as anyone. I still think his best album (of the 5 I'm familiar with) is Short Man's Room. Now that album was one seriously inspired production.
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  • Mandjb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Return to Form
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    Thank goodness!! After several critically-praised but relatively inaccessible albums, Joe has returned to his strengths - coupling strong melodies, good arrangements, and great lyrics.

    Welcome back, Joe. Actually, your talent never was lost on us - it's just that this format shows it far better than where you've been hanging out he last few years.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Consumer Reviewer
    3.0 out of 5 stars So Earnestly Competant, Yet Where's The Magic?
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2007
    I have been a follower of Joe Henry since the days of "Murder of Crows", and always anticipate hearing what the singer/songwriter will come up with next. But for me personally, something went woefully missing around the time of "Richard Pryor Addresses A Tearful Nation." I love the fact that Henry's voice has fallen into an elegent, lived-in vibe, and he still sketches personal tales with all the skill of a playwright. The musicians who back him up are top notch - the arrangements studious and majestic, but there is a beleaguering sense of sameness that weighs this record down like a gold-plated anvil. No doubt tracks like "Our Song", which uses baseball icon Willie Mays as a metaphor for a time when America actually stood for something noble, showcase Henry at his brilliantly trenchant best. Still, "Civilians" begs the question: Where did the magic go? Where are tracks with the fully-realized greatness of "Ohio Air Show Plane Crash", "Flower Girl", "Skin and Teeth" and "Angels" - songs that not only tell a story, but mesmerize with their quirky sonic touches and Henry's vacillating-between-tentative-and-commanding vocalese? I just don't feel it here, nor did I feel it on "Scar" or "Tiny Voices", Henry's past two releases. Call me a heretic, but I would like to see Henry do a side-project with some unlikely collaborator like Kayne West, KT Tunstall or Beck - I'm positive the results of which would trigger a aesthetic U-turn in Henry's modus operandi, and bring some much-needed audaciousness back to Henry's songcraft. In the meantime, I'll revisit Henry's wonderfully eclectic masterpiece "Fuse", and cross my fingers.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Henry...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    What can I say, I stumbled upon this and fell in love with his sound. Interesting story telling and thought provoking lyrics.
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  • Paul Huntley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Really good
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • big ol guy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The best!!! beautiful songs, production, a masterpiece!
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  • Alvaro Gutiérrez López
    5.0 out of 5 stars Discazo
    Reviewed in Spain on March 7, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Grande José Henry DISCAZO, grandes canciones, como siempre para un autor infravalorado. Uno de los mejores autores de música americana
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  • Andreas Pusch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ein Meisterwerk
    Reviewed in Germany on February 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    "Civilians" ist ein Meisterwerk - nicht mehr und nicht weniger. Im Juni 2014 ist Joe Henry endlich auch mal wieder live in Europa zu erleben
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  • メタボッチ
    5.0 out of 5 stars must buy !
    Reviewed in Japan on May 11, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    　ペニーレインさんのここでのレビューと、雑誌『ミュージック・マガジン』のレビューを参考に、ギャンブルで、つまり試聴とか一切せず、２週間ほど前に購入しました。で、それ以来、毎晩酒と辞書を手元において歌詞をながめながら（まだ完全に理解できない部分もあるけど、トム・ウェイツ並みのストーリーテラーです）、くりかえしくりかえし聴いています。要するに、これしか聴いていない！近年では、ボブ・ディランの『モダン・タイムズ』にもけっこうはまったけど、ここまでは続きませんでした。すごいアーティストにめぐり会えて幸せです。ペニーレインさん、ありがとう。
    　飽きのこないメロディと過不足ないアレンジ、深みと捻りのある歌詞、それにすてきなジャケ写（インナーのも本当によい）、これはもう must buy でしょう。
    　
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  • ,chris sheahan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on November 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great album by underrated artist.
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