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| |  | Stephen Trask '89 | Home » » » Promised Land | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of her generation, Dar Williams has been engaging audiences with her musical artistry since the early 1990s when she rose from the Northeast coffeehouse circuit to the national spotlight. Dar releases her first studio in 2008 after three years, Promised Land. Produced by Brad Wood (Pete Yorn, Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins), the album features 12 reflective songs that introduce a new Pop sound for Dar Williams. Lending support on the album are such renowned artists as Suzanne Vega and Marshall Crenshaw. Promised Land is sure to connect with Dar fans old and new. 'Williams infuses intelligent songwriting with comforting melodies.' - Relix. 'A new generation of pop-folk enthusiasts lauds her as one of the genre's central figures.'- Paste | | | Product Details: | | | Audio CD Release Date:
| September 09, 2008 | | Studio:
| Razor & Tie | | Number Of Discs:
| 1 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 17 reviews |
| | | Track Listing: | | | 1. | It's Alright | | 2. | Book of Love | | 3. | The Easy Way | | 4. | The Tide Falls Away | | 5. | Buzzer | | 6. | The Business of Things | | 7. | You Are Everyone | | 8. | Go to the Woods | | 9. | Holly Tree | | 10. | Troubled Times | | 11. | Midnight Radio | | 12. | Summerday | |
| | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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 Classic Dar and a bit moreApr 18, 2009
Once again Dar shows her intelligence, her wit and her story-telling genius in 12 beautifully crafted songs, with a few surprises too. My favourite moment is hearing Suzanne Vega's voice blend so beautifully with Dar's on Go To The Woods. Like with Ani Di Franco in Dar's previous release, Dar shows her mastery at collaborations too.
Some of the songs appear at first to be weaker than you expect from Dar, but listen again and you notice the subtle arrangements and you understand the story and it then all makes perfect sense. Pay close attention to The Business of Things and Midnight Radio and you will be rewarded.
There are some classics too that immediately grab your attention, such as It's Alright, The Easy Way, Buzzer and Troubled Times.
My favourite lyric on the album - "Start with a weak foundation, you will end in ruins" from Troubled Times.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Beautiful Sound!Mar 23, 2009
I really like Dar Williams. Never had the opportunity to hear her music and am not sorry I made this choice.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Aural BonerMar 19, 2009
As usual, Dar does not disappoint. I recommend this to anybody who liked Dar's last CD.
Quintessential DarMar 17, 2009
The Queen of Astounding Lyrics does it again. If you're a Dar fan, this is a must-have and I don't need to explain to you why. If you're just discovering Dar, start with Honesty Room and work your way through all her CDs. Promised Land is full of her usual great lyrics, wonderful arrangements, and upbeat perspectives, infused with some humor and humility. I found it to have a sad feeling overall, which isn't characteristic of her body of work, except for Mortal City. This one won't make you laugh out loud like some of her others, but it will warm your heart with the bittersweetness of love and loss, and hope for tomorrow. She's looking for the Promised Land in this CD - and after all, isn't that what every one of us is hoping to find?
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
As PromisedMar 14, 2009
After a multi-year hiatus, Dar Williams returns with a superbly crafted set of story-telling songs on "As Promised." I picked this up after seeing her perform in the Philadelphia area (with Joshua Radin) and have been enjoying it constantly since. Dar lets herself explore a rang of both topics and tempos on "Promised Land," from her singer-songwriter roots to more conventional adult pop when the song warrants it.
"Buzzer" may just be the first song written about the controversial Milgram's Experiment, where volunteers willing shocked "victims" as long as an authority figure told them to. It's not a subject that warrants a fragile arrangement, and Williams lets fly. As her Out There Live proved, she is not averse to a pumping rhythm section, and she uses it here. Also a delight is the way Williams' and Suzanne Vega's voices blend on "Go To The Woods." (Now THERE is a double bill I'd love to see live.)
There's also a pair of intriguing covers; "Midnight Radio" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch and "Troubled Times" from pop-subversives Fountains of Wayne. The energy she invests in reminds me of late period Pretenders or even some of the best of Elvis Costello.] But if that scares you, there are two great ballads here, "You Are Everyone" and "Book of Love." "Promised Land" is a finely balanced album and does wonders at highlighting Williams' broad array of talents.
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