Darius Rucker - Back to Then [Bonus Tracks]
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Track List: Back to Then [Bonus Tracks]
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Album Details: Back to Then [Bonus Tracks]
- Release Date:
- 07/29/2002
- UPC:
Pro Reviews: Back to Then [Bonus Tracks]
| EXPERT RATING: From AMG Reviews The rocky road Hootie the Blowfish lead singer Darius Rucker took to the release of his first solo album, Back to Then, may have its origin in his band's declining fortunes after the spectacular success of its majorlabel debut, Cracked Rear View, in the mid'90s. Followups Fairweather Johnson and Musical Chairs traced a downward sales pattern, and by 2001 Atlantic Records may have been looking to Rucker to reignite his career as a pop/rock singer with his solo debut. But when executives heard an early version of it, they reacted by handing it back to him and letting him negotiate with other labels. Neosoul boutique label Hidden Beach, whose signee Jill Scott has a duet with Rucker on the record, was a logical home instead, and, slightly retooled, Back to Then comes across as an appropriate addition to the company's popsoul catalog. Working with various urban musician/producers, Rucker has constructed his own version of a neosoul album, touching upon elements of gritty soul and gospel but filtering them through his pop/rock sensibility. The result may be as commercially dicey as Atlantic feared: The album may be rejected by both the urban audience at whom it is aimed and by the pop/rock fans Rucker found with Hootie. As urban goes, it may be considered too clean and wellarticulated, while its light funk and programming do not provide the surface pleasures of rock. But Rucker remains an expressive singer, and that is the key to the disc's appeal. Whether he is proclaiming his faith in God ("Somewhere") or pleading for romantic fulfillment ("One More Night"), he displays a contemporary soulfulness that compels the listener. Back to Then is not an ideal showcase for that voice, but it is a good one, and it may earn the singer a whole new audience. [The Japanese version included bonus tracks.] - William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide |
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Darius Rucker Biography
As part of Hootie the Blowfish, Darius Rucker changed the face of mainstream pop music in the mid-'90s. Hootie the Blowfish's blues-rock jams were infectiously fun and singles like "Hold My Hand" and "Only Wanna Be With You" propelled the band to s...Full Darius Rucker Biography
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