Hobo | Billy Bob Thornton | Categorically Defying Categorization . . .

Hobo | Billy Bob Thornton | I'm a Hobo Too

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	Hobo Billy Bob Thornton Big Deal Records, 2005 average customer review:based on 8 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Categorically Defying Categorization . . .

This album, like BBT's previous two, defies categorization - none of his albums sound anything like each other - or like anything else out there for that matter. All of the songs on Hobo are written or co-written by BBT - the lyrics are personal, spare and achingly perfect. His vocals for much of the album are presented in hushed tones; there is a quiet intensity about them - kinda like when you're sitting in a crowded room and trying to carry on a private conversation with someone next to you. His storytelling abilities translate flawlessly from what you see and hear if you watch him as an actor to what you hear and imagine while listening to these songs. Admittedly, Hobo is not, for the most part, a happy-go-lucky, sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-voice kind of album; it's more like a just-be-quiet-and-listen deal. The lyrics tell about his experiences while living in California for the past 20 years, but anyone who's struggled with keeping body and soul together in a strange place should be able relate to the stories in here. My favorites are Orange County Suicide and El Centro on $5 a Day, but really all of the cuts on here are tremendous. If you've never had the pleasure of hearing him sing, you might want to take a listen to a few clips either here at Amazon or on his website at www.billybobmusic.com. Mr. Thornton's style is about as different from main stream as you can get; to quote Willie Nelson (when asked about Kris Kristofferson's vocals) "He ain't no Sinatra", however there is only Sinatra, and likewise there is only on BBT and I like his vocals just the way they are thank you very much.

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I'm a Hobo Too

As with his previous albums BBT is once again in fine form. I just can't get enough and I am already waiting for the next one. I do have to say that this is not his best album, but he still blows away all other musicians. If you are looking to buy your first BBT album, I would recomened Priviate Radio first. But like I said, BBT is Awsome.

An impressive, thought-provoking concept album

Billy Bob Thornton: hillbilly turned actor turned director turned hillbilly rocker...a unique ride. Few people can boast (or would want to boast) the experiences Thornton has been through. However, if you want to hear his frustrations, his insecurities, his pet peeves, and, yes, his heart, you just have to pick up a copy of HOBO and give it a listen.

This album is an ode to California and Los Angeles, and the varied cast of characters that inhabits them. From the destitute homeless in the title track, through the beautiful attention-grabbing young women in "Orange County Suicide," to the sleaze of "Purple Passion," to the whistful dreamers in "El Centro On Five Dollars a Day," to the has-beens in "Late Great Golden State"...Californians either get the shaft or an applause. Surprisingly, Thornton never judges his eclectic cast (except possibly in the case of the ironic sarcasm of "Orange County Suicide," and even then, Thornton remains ambiguous); he leaves the judgment up to the characters themselves.

And you, of course, the listener. Thornton's HOBO follows on the bootheels of THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, a modern alternative country record, and PRIVATE RADIO, an old-fashioned alternative country record (which Marty Stuart produced, and on which this album's "Your Blue Shadow" originally appeared). Though not as intimate as his first record, and not quite as country as his second, Thornton's third album finds him in tip-top writing and singing shape. His voice is rough and rigid enough to get the messages across; these songs do not need a crooner, they need someone who's been there, who's seen the underside of life and has lived to tell the tale. Billy Bob Thornton is that man. When you listen to HOBO, you are listening to Thornton's troubled heart. Dark, disturbing, or ironically amusing...like Thornton's previous albums, HOBO has it all.

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Not his best album, but still great for what it is.

Seeing as how "Edge of the World" is one of my all time favorite albums, I'm just a tad late at getting around to writing something about "Hobo". "Private Radio" met and exceeded my expectations over five years ago and then "Edge of the World" came out in '03 and sort of became a soundtrack to my life. What an amazing album that was. There was so much variety, such an abundance of great songs and completely original ideas. And it all came together to tell a great story as well. Stunning.

"Edge of the World" was SO good in fact, that it raised my standards to an almost impossible level, leaving "Hobo" with some pretty big shoes to fill. Did it meet my expectations? Well, yes and no.

It's a very good album. Let me just say that. Every track here is great in it's own unique way. It's a great album to sit back and relax with and take in every note and every word. It's a big relaxation album more me and I really love the vocals this time out as well. If you heard him sing "The Wind" from the Warren Zevon tribute, "Enjoy Every Sandwhich" album, then you can get an idea. Very low and whispery in places. Nothing wrong with that at all. The cover of "The Late Great Golden State" is a keeper for sure and makes the album worth owning as well as "I used to Be a Lion". "Orange County Suicide" is something a little bit different and it works. In fact, the only track here that doesn't do anything for me is "Smooth Me Over", but I never end up skipping it. I cherish the new version of "Your Blue Shadow" and "At Least We Dreamed" is incredible. Unlike anything he's ever done.

I'm singing all this praise so you're probably (or probably not) wondering why I'm giving this puppy 4 stars instead of 5. Well, here's my gripe (albeit a minor one): A little more variety wouldn't have hurt things. "Grey Walls" is an awesome track and a little more of that wouldn't have hurt anything, but being as it is, "Hobo" is an excellent effort and seems to have gotten him more critical acclaim and appreciation for his music.

Well, there ya have it. Even though it's not the masterpiece that "Edge of the World" was, it's still great in it's own right. It's been well over a year since its release and I'm still steadily listening. Thanks again Billy Bob and I'll be anxiously awaiting the next one.

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billy bob sings the blues

first of all i have to say i love this album, billy bob amazed me with the choice of musicians to work on this with him. although i find it more comical than musically stimulating. the music under this album is great its definately somewhere between george jones and pink floyd. the lyrics could have been thought out alittle more as well as the vocal deleivery but all in all its a great peice to listen to definately not for everyone but if you like weird country music made by the dude from slingblade then you're good to go. if you dont then buy it anyway the trippiness factor of this album makes it worth buying and listening to atleast once so youc an say to your friends i own a record by billy bob thornton

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