The thing about Counting Crows...

It's still a wonder to me why Counting Crows have such a bad rap. Most people only know them for 'Mr. Jones' or 'Accidentally in Love' (which I like!) but there is so much more to them than anyone cares to give them credit for. Adam Duritz, the lead singer, is a psychopath. The guy is nuts. It's fantastic. Everything he does...every gesture, every lyric, every crack in his voice just oozes soul and guilt and love and hate and it's the most beautiful feeling to listen to. He's not afraid to open up to his audience or spill his life for the world to see. Their first album 'August and Everything After' is by far my favorite album in the history of albums. I have played the damn thing so many times the disk is scratched and skips and I'm tempted to buy a new one (I have yet to get my hands on the LP). Their later albums had a few gems here and there but they set the bar too high for themselves to top their very first. Trust me, just give it a listen. Beginning to end. You might not get it the first time. Or the 20th time. But you will get it. 

So here's a list (yes, another list...I like lists) of some of my favorite songs by the Crows. It was hard narrowing it down to just five because like i said, the entire album is my favorite song.


5. Omaha

This is the perfect song to begin a long drive. My mom's from Omaha (Nebraska) and I've been there a few times myself. "I think you better turn your ticket in, and get your money back at the door." Perfect synopsis of the place.

4. Walkaways

A great song for those days when you feel like the only lonely person in the world. Take a long walk.

3. Round Here

The rule about Counting Crows is never fall in love with a girl named Maria. Many of his songs are about an obscure girl named Maria and if you end up finding yourself a fan of this band and in love with a Maria, be prepared to have many a beautiful tune forever ruined. For me, Adam's Maria could be anyone which makes this song so toxic. This song in particular is a perfect example of his dusty, ragged sense of poetry and lyrical genius and it tells more than just his story. It tells everyone's story.

2. The Ghost In You

This song is a cover of The Psychedelic Furs' 'Ghost In You' and I'm a big fan of it. Much like The National's cover of 'Pretty In Pink' also by the Furs, I like it much better. Depending on what you're feeling, this song will either take you up or down. It usually takes me down.

  

1. Anna Begins

Now for the big one. Anna begins. I don't really know where to start with this song...It's heavy. It definitely took a while before I considered it my favorite song. I think after seeing Adam perform it live I had my turnaround. There is a huge difference between the version he sings live and and the way it sounds in the studio. "Every time she sneezes I believe it's love."