Counting Crows Debut Record, August and Everything After, Still Rocks

Personally billed as one of my all-time favorite albums due to its uncanny ability to always end up in my CD player, August and Everything After is the debut release from Counting Crows, dating back to 1993. From the droning opening lick on "Round Here" that slowly draws you into the album, to the up-beat, feel-good chorus of "Rain King", this album takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion and leaves you yearning to listen to the Counting Crows' next effort as soon as you absorb the last utterance of "change, change, change" from the record's gripping finisher, "A Murder of One". The Crows' first disc also takes us on a journey down to the barrio and into the fantasies swirling in the head of an aspiring musician with the ever-popular "Mr. Jones". With the soothing sound of lead singer, Adam Duritz's smoky, but inviting vocals pitted against the band's unique sound, the rest of the group's studio debut is littered with subtle gems like "Omaha" and "Sullivan Street", which I liken to audible teasers to their recently released track, "Washington Square".

This initial record is one of those 'collection essentials'. Regardless of your musical preferences, just as the tunes find a way to peak your interest, you'll instantly become caught up in the heartfelt stories that unfold in Duritz's astute lyrics. As a whole, Counting Crows have never ceased to impress their fans in the 15+ years since they released August and Everything After, including the release of a double-disc deluxe edition of the album in 2007 for the fans. Many live shows feature the group from Berkeley, CA putting their own twist on cover songs from Van Morrison to Dylan to Oasis, and then jamming away on their older songs in arrangements that have been modified from the studio originals, keeping the music fresh to both the audience and the musicians alike. Few have been able to transcend musical generations with hits like "Mr. Jones" and "Round Here", and continually reinvent themselves while growing musically like the Crows have. August and Everything After laid the foundation of what we came to expect from Counting Crows in the mid-90's, and with their recent departure from Geffen Records in an attempt to pursue new musical heights, I for one, am anxiously awaiting what's to come.

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