Ms. Jones may have lost a love battle or two in her time, but she never lost the lesson or the desire to deliver her tales of woe to the people.
I Learned the Hard Way gets down to business right away and broadcasts the album's message plenty of times throughout: Believe in life after love, no matter how bad the heartbreak. A positive message, yes, although maybe not the most original, and probably not transmitted in the most unique fashion. However, even though the album lacks innovation, it works overtime in authenticity, and this is about where The Dap Kings come in.
Somewhere in the middle of Motown, rhythm and blues, soul, and funk, The Dap Kings finesse Sharon Jones's message across the finish line, and give I Learned the Hard Way the clout it needs to substantiate the viewpoint of the album's narrator. Sharon Jones has something to share, and she needs the right soundtrack to do so.
Where a newer sound might suggest immaturity, The Dap Kings provide a groove that boasts familiarity and foundation, which makes it easy to equate the established sound with wisdom. Wisdom comes with experience and learning from your mistakes, and that is exactly what Sharon Jones wants to impart on the audience.
Despite its authenticity, I Learned the Hard Way began to feel a bit flacid after a few spins. I did, however, manage to recalibrate my expectations about Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. Much like Slayer, these guys will probably continue to release variations of the same album again and again, and experience neither highs nor lows in the process. This middle-of-the-road approach may bore some, but receptive audience members will know what to expect and will not be disappointed.
No comments:
Post a Comment