Detours
by Sheryl Crow
  • Record Label: A&M
  • Release Date: Feb 5, 2008
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 55
  3. Negative: 19 out of 55

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  1. Ricko
    Sep 26, 2014
    7
    Detours see's Ms Crow in flying form once again. "Detours" has some interesting themes going on and is generally quite a topical album. The songs are strong, very tuneful and her vocals are excellent. The production is great as well with Bill Bottrell at the controls again. There is a mix of folk, pop and rock going on and fans of her earlier stuff will lap it up. It's not her best workDetours see's Ms Crow in flying form once again. "Detours" has some interesting themes going on and is generally quite a topical album. The songs are strong, very tuneful and her vocals are excellent. The production is great as well with Bill Bottrell at the controls again. There is a mix of folk, pop and rock going on and fans of her earlier stuff will lap it up. It's not her best work and the first half of the album is far stronger than the second half,but overall it is a very solid record and one I would definitely recommend to fans of hers.… Expand
  2. TomH.
    Apr 10, 2008
    3
    Not her best work, very contemporary (read boring).
  3. O.Gawd
    Apr 2, 2008
    1
    I've never quite understood the allure of Sheryl Crow. Her first album had one good song on it. Her other offerings seemed to try to ape Madonna, but unlike Mrs. Ritchie, Crow can't sing. And she's no looker, either. So she returns to her first producer in a desperate attempt to remine gold. Not surprising. Sounds like it's time to detour back to your music class, Sheryl.
  4. ChrisD.
    Mar 25, 2008
    10
    While I am not a huge S. Crow fan, I must admit that this is an impressive album. She mixes personal/political lyrics that do not sound preachy with catchy pop hooks to create a solid album.
  5. AntonisP.
    Mar 13, 2008
    10
    I own all Sheryl's studio albums amd believe me this is her best followed by her second (Sheryl Crow) . the lyrics show a more mature Sheryl amd the sound is so extraordinarily beautiful as a result of Bill´s excellent production and Sheryl´s vocals sound flawless. I consider this to be the best album release so far of the year!!! And I expect many awards too!
  6. RobbieC.
    Mar 11, 2008
    6
    It's actually all right! The songs "Love is Free" and "Shine Over Babylon" are great pop songs, and the latter half of the record has some interesting tunes too. The best she's done in probably 10 years... but still not as great.
  7. AbiB.
    Mar 9, 2008
    8
    I have a general bias against female artists, but from a true skeptic... this is a great record. Great messages put to great melodies. the track 'peace be upon us' brought tears to my eyes on first listen, and i tend towards the likes of foo fighters, zeppelin, oasis, pearl jam.. its like listening to a great debut record just cuz sheryl has been absent for so long.
  8. LauraF.
    Feb 29, 2008
    10
    Honest record from the heart with a lot of variety. There are some very catchy tunes on this CD and there is depth here as well. I feel it's important for an artist to sing about things that are pertinent and real in the world today and that is just what Crow has done with her latest CD, Detours. For all that she's been through, she ends up shining with this one!
  9. LuisG.
    Feb 18, 2008
    7
    Crow on stage is incredible and her political views are aparent without hearing DETOURS past tours with John Mayer and Solo she conveyed this passion to speak her mind about the war and its leaders but unlike JOHN MAYER and DIXIE CHICKS who put the music where thier mouths are CROWs DETOURS is not past preachy or petty with songs that play out to be journal entries they just dont mix Crow on stage is incredible and her political views are aparent without hearing DETOURS past tours with John Mayer and Solo she conveyed this passion to speak her mind about the war and its leaders but unlike JOHN MAYER and DIXIE CHICKS who put the music where thier mouths are CROWs DETOURS is not past preachy or petty with songs that play out to be journal entries they just dont mix well. I love this album and the album is not bad it just need to come back down and be music not a canvas for political satire at least for me it didnt work well.. take BELIEF by JOHN MAYER and EASY SILENCE by the chicks those are tracks that play to the hears without preachy.… Expand
  10. ScottW.
    Feb 18, 2008
    9
    Wildflower was a 10 (underrated!), so in consideration of that, this one's a 9. The politics are there, but you can hardly argue with what she's saying. Bush is an asshole, gas is too expensive, destructive and might result in the unraveling of the world as we know it, and we should love not kill, man. The fact that she puts all this to great music to boot is impressive, kudos Wildflower was a 10 (underrated!), so in consideration of that, this one's a 9. The politics are there, but you can hardly argue with what she's saying. Bush is an asshole, gas is too expensive, destructive and might result in the unraveling of the world as we know it, and we should love not kill, man. The fact that she puts all this to great music to boot is impressive, kudos to her and Bill Bottrell. But aside from the politics, there's the personal and contemplative...songs of breakups, concern for our children, dealing with illness. These songs, in my opinion, are what make Sheryl such a great artist - we not only feel her pain, we're put in touch with our own.… Expand
  11. DaneJ.
    Feb 18, 2008
    10
    Kicking off the album with the story telling ''God Bless This Mess,'' captures the haunting yet beautiful message of Gentry's 'Ode to Billy Joe.' A complete treat to hear the style of her album 'Globe sessions' once again. Although, she shows a new style with the 'Out Of Our Heads' anthem, almost reminiscent of the Electro-Pop of Kicking off the album with the story telling ''God Bless This Mess,'' captures the haunting yet beautiful message of Gentry's 'Ode to Billy Joe.' A complete treat to hear the style of her album 'Globe sessions' once again. Although, she shows a new style with the 'Out Of Our Heads' anthem, almost reminiscent of the Electro-Pop of David Bowie. As the album goes on the 'Lullaby For Wyatt' is an extrodinary and beautiful ballad of a mothers love, soothing and honest. 'Diamond Ring' is a monologue of a woman saddend yet hopeful for her future as a relashonship comes to an end. With 'Detours', Crow is also heard taking polotics by the kneck and completley attaking it's aspects, giving inteligent and fearless opinions on todays affairs. A daring and honest album, perhaps her most personal and beautifully written.… Expand
  12. Richard
    Feb 15, 2008
    8
    I think Wildflower is her most appealing album, and to follow that one with this noisy, rollicking set is startling to one's ears. But, for what it is, it's a good, enjoyable listen.
  13. GillesB.
    Feb 15, 2008
    9
    Sheryl is back, after two rather disappointing albums, this is a true return to form. I especially enjoy the vibrant happiness and hope in her political messages.
  14. ke
    Feb 13, 2008
    9
    Her best album since Tuesday. Songs are catchy, fun, and alive. The only thing I didn't like was the political lyrics, but that's easily forgiven.
  15. AndrewM.
    Feb 13, 2008
    7
    A decent album with quite a bit of politics, but that is what I would expect in a mature artist. There are some great "classic Crow" tracks that will definitely appeal to Crow fans in between rotation of her greatest hits albums.
  16. BrandonS.
    Feb 13, 2008
    6
    Mediocre. A lot of groan-inducing lyrics. Wildflowers was a lot better. This album is most similar to "C'mon, C'mon, C'mon", but there are no lyrics that approach the brilliance of "My friend the communist..."
  17. PhillipB.
    Feb 12, 2008
    6
    At 46, Crow is finally showing her age here -- not musically, but lyrically. "Detours" is full of adult concerns both personal (motherhood, cancer, lost romance) and societal (war, oil, politics). Lead single "Love is Free" has the carefree vibe of "Soak Up the Sun," but its subtext is the devastation of New Orleans. Sometimes, the grown-up lyrical approach works well and other times it At 46, Crow is finally showing her age here -- not musically, but lyrically. "Detours" is full of adult concerns both personal (motherhood, cancer, lost romance) and societal (war, oil, politics). Lead single "Love is Free" has the carefree vibe of "Soak Up the Sun," but its subtext is the devastation of New Orleans. Sometimes, the grown-up lyrical approach works well and other times it falls very flat ("Gasoline" may well be the worst song she's written), resulting in an uneven album of peaks and valleys. That said, it's still infinitely preferable to see an artist acting her age rather than trying to hang onto the lost youth of a pop star past.… Expand
  18. ChrisC
    Feb 12, 2008
    7
    About time we got another good Sheryl Crow album. She stopped trying to just be glossy mainstream and started being herself again.
  19. MarkW.
    Feb 11, 2008
    4
    I like Sheryl Crow, but it sounds like her personal troubles have crippled her creativity. Most of the songs here latch on to one simple lyrical phrase and then just keep beating it to death. These songs are SO repetitive and simplistic! Peace Be Upon Us, Peace Be Upon Us, Peace Be Upon Us... ad infinitum. OK, OK, Sheryl, we get it! Move on!
  20. TS
    Feb 7, 2008
    7
    Well it's about ****ing time. The first record she's made since The Globe Sessions that isn't embalmed with production. She and it actually sound alive and breathing again. Maybe not as great as the early ones but good enough to be getting on with.
  21. JanakM.
    Feb 7, 2008
    8
    The songs boost u up!!!

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Crow hasn't been this free or fine since "Sheryl Crow," but there is an emotional directness on Detours that makes this a progression, not a retreat.
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  2. Amazon.com
    80
    There's not a groan-worthy song on this standout rock/pop/folk/blues album.
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  3. Billboard
    80
    The roots-rock of Detours is old-school-sounding Crow now with a heightened consciousness of the world around her.
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