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Detours Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 55 Ratings

  • Summary: Sheryl Crow returns from an eventful few years with her latest record produced by Brian Bottrell, who also produced her debut.

Top Track

Love Is Free
One Two One, two, three! She got a shack Floating down the Pontchartrain With the water rolling in You gotta swim Before the levees start to... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. In Detours' subdued second half, though, Crow lays off the social commentary to address her own recent rough patches, with lyrics that grow more absorbing and intimate as Bottrell's eclecticism simmers down.
  2. Crow's progressive lyrics hit like rubber-band pings fired by some joker in the back row at school. No one is likely to sing her verses at a march on Washington. But by addressing serious issues in the language of pop, they remind us that political speech and casual breeze-shooting can and do often intersect.
  3. The roots-rock of Detours is old-school-sounding Crow now with a heightened consciousness of the world around her.
  4. Crow's earnest, adult-contemporary crooning isn't as musically subversive as that of her protest-singer predecessors, but some of the scrappier cuts here ('God Bless This Mess,' 'Shine Over Babylon') are genuinely compelling.
  5. Detours may not be the most musically edgy album you'll listen to this year, but there aren't many people better at producing radio-friendly rock/pop.
  6. Cohesion’s where you find it, but headphone delights are everywhere.
  7. Detours clearly wants to be Bob Dylan but ends up being Bob Roberts instead.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. 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 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. Expand
  2. 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 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! Expand
  3. 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 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. Collapse
  4. 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 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. Expand
  5. 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. TheDetours 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
  6. 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 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. Expand
  7. 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 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. Expand

See all 21 User Reviews