A relatively short but most definitely sweet offering of hope from a nine-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.
Sheryl Crow requires little or no introduction, either here within the pages of AUK or in the wider reaches of popular music around the world. Her successes and accolades are well documented, and in truth it could well be argued that she has little if anything left to prove, having previously revealed that her 2019 album Threads would be her last. Fortunately, that decision was reversed, first with the release of Evolution in 2024, and now with this new seven-track release, Pick You Up.
Each of the songs here is a co-write between Crow and long-time collaborator Jeff Trott, and finds the lyrical content dealing with the issues of the modern world and the need for human connection. Opening with Freight Train, one immediately gets a sense of the musical landscape, with meticulous arrangements that constantly reveal themselves with repeated listening, and a relaxed ambience, like a soft, warm breeze that gently caresses. And yet, within the narrative, there is a message that all is not quite as we might wish in today’s world, one where we all feel less secure, less trusting, less certain of what tomorrow will bring. Crow addresses these concerns both on the second song, Perfect and with the title track, which, with its delightful melody and infectious chorus, is surely one of her finest songs to date.
Needless to say, the musicianship throughout is immaculate, never overplaying, but simply adding the perfect touches of colour, tension and release to each song to support the storyline, as on Flat Earth, where the harmonies and fiery lead runs from an electric guitar deliver just the right juxtaposition, while the acoustic-driven, punchy Heaven Help Us is pure classic Crow that musically could have come from her eponymous album of thirty years ago.
Having opened the album with a ‘Train’, it ends on a ‘Bus’, the Freedom Bus that is. A song that musically has a throwback feel to the late-sixties Beatles’ songs of John Lennon, with its political and social observations. Here, Crow is joined by Jesse Welles on vocals for a song that offers a timely reminder that those freedoms that we take for granted today were paid for by the lives of others throughout history, and that our dialogue and ability to disagree must always reflect the rights of every man and woman. It is a reminder well made, within another wonderfully constructed song.
The album’s artwork features The Elephant Who Forgot The Ocean, by acclaimed artist Tyson Grimm, whose surreal, imaginative painting creates a nostalgic world with a story only partially told, thus allowing the viewer to bring their own perspective to complete the work. In the context of this album, one could argue that Crow has taken a similar approach here, allowing the narrative within each song enough space for interpretation.
If there is an issue with Pick You Up, then it ultimately lies in its brevity. With just the seven songs collectively totalling a rather measly twenty-five minutes of listening time. That said, there is definitely no filler here; every song is worthy of its place. Its musicality and arrangement are excellent, and one could argue that Crow’s vocals sound better than ever. As an album, does it bring something different to the bulk of her back catalogue? Well, probably not, but then for an artist with over thirty years behind them, should that be expected, or more importantly, even matter? For in truth, Pick You Up is a worthy addition to Crow’s album collection, and though it may not convert the non-believers, her legion of loyal fans will find plenty to make them happy.
