Track Listing

1. Why Ain't I Running
2. Beer Run (duet with George Jones)
3. Wrapped Up In You
4. The Storm
5. Thicker Than Blood
6. Big Money
7. Squeeze Me In (duet with Trisha Yearwood)
8. Mr.Midnight
9. Pushing Up Daises
10. Rodeo Or Mexico
11. Don't Cross The River
12. When You Come Back To Me Again

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27455 in Music
• Released on: 2001-11-13
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Nearly a decade ago, Garth Brooks's ability to incorporate '70s pop material and arena rock into his act made history (and controversy) as he propelled country to its pinnacle of success. One fact remains in 2001. When he simply rears back and sings (in the spirit of longtime pal Chris LeDoux), the results are often fresh and natural. That's the case on the Beatle-esque "Wrapped Up in You," "Thicker Than Blood," and the trite but catchy blue-collar bopper "Big Money." Alas, that slicker, more calculated material is never far away. Awash in melodrama, "The Storm" (a bathos-ridden variant on "The Thunder Rolls"), "Mr. Midnight," and "Pushing Up Daisies" each run four-plus minutes and seem longer. The hyperactive bluegrass romp "Don't Cross the River" seems less homage than a nod to the successful O Brother soundtrack. While duets with George Jones and Trisha Yearwood have merit, one wonders who really needs who. All this might have been cutting edge in 1992. Now it simply seems long in the tooth. --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

His best album since No Fences
Being a rabid Garth Brooks fan, I love ALL of his albums. But even I found some of his more recent work (1997's Sevens, for instance) lacking a soul. On Scarecrow Garth has found whatever it was that his music lost in the late 90's. "Wrapped Up In You," is a happy, infectious song that you'll find yourself humming hours later. Powerful and evocative, "The Storm" is an appropriately dark sequel to the theme of "The Thunder Rolls." "Thicker Than Blood," with its references to Brooks' own family, is touching and for some reason makes me smile every time I hear it. A dark and melancholy ballad, "Mr. Midnight" defies explination. "Big Money" and "Mexico or Rodeo" are toetappers with a sense of humor. Without going into all of them, I can say that there is not a weak song on this entire album. It's a pure joy to listen to all the way through. This CD is typified by great lyrics, spices of harmonica, fiddle, piano, banjo, and steel guitar, and the excellent vocals of Mr. Brooks at his most diverse and powerful.

Good return to form
Scarecrow is a fine album - one that favorably compares with Brooks' best efforts. Garth and longtime producer Allen Reynolds have put together a set of songs that move effortlessly between poignant and exhuberant. It is, however, more than just a country album.

From the start of his recording career, Brooks has shown us that his range of influence spans beyond traditional country. Garth's composition "Thicker Than Blood" is a tribute to familial devotion that takes on a global importance in light of the the September 11 tragedy. It recalls vintage James Taylor, while the first single, "Wrapped Up in You," has a Paul McCartney meets the Kingston Trio feel to it, and "Mr. Midnight" seemingly crosses Billy Joel with Harry Chapin.

After the bland Chris Gaines' CD, it is nice to hear Brooks cut loose on a set of uptempo tunes that create a little ruckus. He sounds delighted to be in the presence of his hero George Jones on the duet "Beer Run" while "Squeeze Me In" finds him whooping it up with Trisha Yearwood. "Big Money" and "Rodeo or Mexico" are particularly fun, while his bluegrass rendition of America's "Don't Cross the River" is a rootsy gem.

Emotions run the gamut on this album, from the optimistic love song "Why Ain't I Running" to the pessimistic "The Storm." "When You Come Back to Me," which Brooks recorded for the film Frequency, hits home with its theme of reconnecting with a loved one, while "Pushing Up Daisies" takes a chilling look at Brooks' father's disconnection with life since his wife's (Garth's mother's) death last year.

It all combines for a well-balanced package, sometimes fun, sometimes moving, and usually substantial. If it is Garth's last release (don't hold your breathe on that one), this was a great swan song.

Roped the Wind
As a big fan of Garth's, and living outside the US, I gladly paid the (...) Amazon shipping fee to get the album asap. Unfortunately, I was let down by a cookie-cutter, soul-and-creativity-lacking piece of plastic. After a week, I have nothing positive to say about any tracks. Garth, I'll give you one more chance. Jeff Wilson, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.