After years in the business as a backup singer for a number of big name pop and rock acts, Sheryl Crow hit it big with Tuesday Night Music Club, an album chocked full of catchy, well-crafted, radio-orientated pop tunes. Nothing on that album, though, really hinted at what lay in store for 1996's self-titled album. Crow had become one of those very few artists who has been both lucky and brave with her career. Her years as a backing vocalist had made her industry savvy, and the big success of her debut album gave her enough industry clout that she could assume creative control of her subsequent albums.

In addition to singing and writing or co-writing all of the songs on the album, Crow also produced and plays guitar, bass, and Hammond organ on the disc. She brings to this album, a bigger, noisier, more rock n' roll sound to complement a more accomplished, edgier collection of songs. The guitar sound is somewhere between the Stones of Exile on Mainstreet and early Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Crow's voice is less studio- produced sounding than it was on her previous record, moving from a sweet soul/R&B sound on "Everyday is a Winding Road" and "Hard to Make a Stand" to a harsher, harder-edged, almost Janis Joplin-like buzz on "If It Makes You Happy" and "Ordinary Morning."

"Maybe Angels," "A Change," "Sweet Rosalyn," "Everyday is a Winding Road," "Love is a Good Thing," and "Hard to Make a Stand" round out a great record.

The title of Sheryl Crow's debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club, was the name her and the group of musicians that wrote and played on the album called themselves. As the title of her eponymous second album suggests, it is all about Sheryl Crow. She was questioned on how much of her first album she was actually responsible for and if she was just a product of other's efforts. This album puts those accusations to rest and with its superiority to the first record, the Music Club may have been holding her back. She sings, produces, writes, plays guitar and keyboards and she deftly mixes ballads and rockers. The ballads like "Home", "The Book" and "Redemption Day" emphasize her ability to bring emotion into a song. "A Change" has a bluesy guitar riff and "Hard To Make A Stand" has a 70's rock feel. "If It Makes You Happy" contains the best vocal work of her career and hit number nine on the Billboard charts. "Love Is A Good Thing" started a minor controversy with its attack on Wal-Mart selling guns. Ms. Crow was dead on with her assessment on the giant retail chain's hypocryptal stance on banning certain albums from their chains yet selling guns to teenagers. It's this ability to touch a chord that makes the album stand out. "Superstar" has a soaring and lush melody and "Every Day Is A Winding Road" with its bright and sunny music and lyrics is the best song on the album. Sheryl Crow proved that Ms. Crow was no flash in the pan and was one of the few bright lights on the rock music scene.

Released in 1996, Sheryl Crow's self-titled sophomore albums is a nice blend of the sounds that represented the 90s. It mixes grunge-style electric guitar tracks--debut single "If It Makes You Happy" (Grammy winner for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance), and "Maybe Angels" (which name checks Cobain); uptempo acoustic pop numbers--singles "A Change Would Do You Good" and "Every Day Is A Winding Road"; and a variety of other styles.

All of the songs were co-written by Crow, many of them by herself, and she shows great strength in this aspect. This album is more socially conscious than her debut: the track "Redemption Day" speaks of government corruption, poverty, and suffering, while "Hard To Make A Stand" references abortion rights in the United States. Also, there is an underlying tone of depression throughout the CD. "Home" is about a woman in a loveless marriage, and "Oh Marie" talks about a girl of whom Sheryl is very jealous, until she realizes Marie really leads an unfulfilling, empty life.

There are some experimental tracks on the album which are quite good, especially considering they're far different from Crow's other stuff. "Love Is A Good Thing" is a funk song; it has a killer bass line. "Superstar" combines traditional rock instruments with Piano and Wurlitzer, as well as a large variety of percussions, to make a unique but catchy song.

Perhaps best of all is the growth in Sheryl's voice since the first album. Here it is much clearer, smoother, and seems to have a better range. She uses this well on ballad-type songs, such as "Ordinary Morning."

Overall, this is an incredible sophomore album. Though it didn't sell as many copies as its predecessor, it is in every aspect better. Sheryl's voice, songwriting, and the overall feel of the tracks show vast improvement. It's no surprise it won the Grammy for Best Rock Album.

I must admit I was not very impressed with Crow's debut "Tuesday Night Music Club". I thought she was just another pop flash in the pan. Upon the arrival of this self-titled CD in 1996, my opinion changed 360 degrees.

This recording is a risk-taker. There are an abundance of new sounds, new vocals, new ways of expression in the lyrics and original temperament that make this recording an exciting listen. From beginning to end, all the songs have something new to say and are arranged to compliment the entire package. The dark, brooding, shadowy landscape that Crow paints on every track fits so well that it creates an aura of great intensity. The quality of the engineering of the recordings is first rate. The bleak, sepia tones of the CD cover and liner notes adds perfectly to the dark ambiance of the music.

This is not to say that this CD is a downer. On the contrary, it is very powerful, confident and in your face. Crow's experimentation with her vocals and her range is superb ("Sweet Rosalyn", "Love Is A Good Thing", "The Book" and "Ordinary Morning"). The strongest track is "If It Makes You Happy", the centerpiece of the CD. The country flavourings of "Home" are just perfect. The social commentary of "Redemption Day", "Love Is A Good Thing" and "Hard To Make A Stand" is right on the money.

This continues to be Crow's best effort. "The Globe Sessions" came close in matching this kind of deep quality with Crow's maturing and tight, crisp lyrics. She has so much talent, as was exhibited here that we may still hear the best from her to come.

This is such a great CD. All of the songs are really good, but the best song probably has to be "Every Day Is A Winding Road". Some other good songs are "A Change," "Maybe Angels," and "If It Makes You Happy." This CD really showed what a great artist Sheryl is. Nowadays, she has slinked back to her happy "All I Wanna Do" phase, which is good because I love the song "Soak Up The Sun." This CD, though, is a bit darker, but still an awesome sophomore effort. She also improves on her vocals a whole lot. Wow, I think I've just gotten myself in the mood to go listen to this right now! I recommend this CD to anyone, it's a great CD. It's especially recommended if you like Alanis. This is a great purchase, don't pass it up! Really! Enjoy!!!!!