Birdseye (Tony Rich album)
| Birdseye | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1998 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Label | LaFace, Arista[1] | |||
| Producer | Tony Rich | |||
| Tony Rich chronology | ||||
| ||||
Birdseye is the second album by the American musician Tony Rich (credited to the Tony Rich Project), released in 1998.[2][3] "Silly Man" was the album's first single.[4]
Production[edit]
The album's songs were written by Tony Rich.[5] It was produced by Rich, with additional production by Babyface and L.A. Reid.[6][7] Rich played all of the instruments, aside from some uncredited guitar parts played by Eric Clapton.[8]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | B+[10] |
| Calgary Herald | [5] |
| Robert Christgau |  [11] |
| Los Angeles Times |  [7] |
| USA Today | [4] |
The Washington Post noted that "Rich downplays drums and hard beats in favor of insinuating melodies, replaces the contemporary emphasis on lust with old-fashioned romantic notions, and sings softly in a lithe, silky tenor reminiscent of his friend (and co-executive producer) Babyface."[12] The New York Times called the album "a soundtrack for seducers who can't stop thinking about the awkwardness of the morning after."[13]
The Los Angeles Times concluded that "after a while, this procession of soothing, slow-to mid-tempo numbers can seem a bit staid and monotonous."[7] Newsday deemed the album "a short, thin recording that feels like a rush job."[14] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called it "a beautiful testament to Rich's musical and lyrical growth."[10] The Chicago Tribune opined that "Rich's greatest virtue is his understatedness; he makes mood music that is more spiritual than sexual ... But though his silky melodies are insinuating and his lyrics well-intentioned, Rich is still grasping for identity."[15]
AllMusic wrote that "Birdseye remains a remarkably romantic record, one of the rare albums whose seduction feels genuine, not prepackaged."[9]
Track listing[edit]
- "Birdseye" – 4:59
- "Silly Man" – 3:42
- "No Time Soon" – 3:40
- "If You're an Angel" – 3:40
- "Bed" – 4:16
- "Cool Like That" – 3:25
- "Thoughts of Leavin'" – 4:14
- "My Stomach Hurts" – 4:19
- "Blue Butterfly" – 4:46
- "Ain't No Laughing" – 4:09
References[edit]
- ^ Gonzales, Michael A. (Jul 4, 1998). "Rich views 'Birdseye' as a departure". Billboard. 110 (27): 23, 25.
- ^ "Tony Rich Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ Linden, Amy (Aug 1998). "Revolutions". Vibe. 6 (8): 153–154.
- ^ a b Jones, Steve (11 Aug 1998). "Neil Finn solos with 'Try Whistling This'; Tony Rich follows up with 'Birdseye'". USA Today. p. 2D.
- ^ a b Beckley, Fred (24 Sep 1998). "CD Reviews". Calgary Herald. p. HL30.
- ^ Verna, Paul (Aug 22, 1998). "Birdseye". Billboard. 110 (34): 15.
- ^ a b c Gardner, Elysa (9 Aug 1998). "Rich's Gentle Ballads Could Use More Fire". Los Angeles Times. Calendar. p. 64.
- ^ "Tony Rich Talks About Trading Favors With Eric Clapton". MTV News.
- ^ a b "Birdseye - The Tony Rich Project | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b Murray, Sonia (13 Aug 1998). "R&B". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. F4.
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 3573". www.robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "'BIRDSEYE': TONY RICH PROJECT'S NEW ALTITUDE". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ Powers, Ann (September 2, 1998). "CRITIC'S CHOICE: POP CD'S; The Year of the Black Auteur, Soulfully and Seductively" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Johnson, Martin (25 Oct 1998). "Rich's `Birdseye' Misses The Musical Bull's-Eye". Newsday. p. D23.
- ^ Kot, Greg (16 Aug 1998). "Recordings". Chicago Tribune. Arts & Entertainment. p. 3.