Diamonds & Debris

Yes im the old Cry of Love fan that FINALLY listened to this album. Incredible. Give it 2 listens and you will know. You'll get over the vocalist change quick. Too bad its WAY over man.

I could listen to Audley Freed all day long. When he came along, I knew I was hearing something really special. The boys were out of the gate fast with “Brother” (An album which I love dearly and must have listened to non-stop for several years). Although I really missed vocalist and songwriter Kelly Holland (and was upset when I’d heard they’d had a new vocalist), I knew I had to give this next release a try with Audley still manning the guitars. Forget about all those so called “poll winners” from the south on guitar, Audley is hands down the underrated gem of the bunch. For my money it doesn’t get any better than "Hung out to Dry", which has a cool Led Zep intro and after all these years is still the diamond of this album. Starting off with the majestic “Empty Castle”, the rollicking "Sugarcane" and blistering “Fire in the Dry Grass”, and you’ve got a solid introduction to the “new” Cry Of Love. Honorable mentions are “Sunday morning flood”, “Sweet Mary’s Gone” and “Warm River Pearl” A band I wish would have persevered and released much more music. Such a shame they’re not still around as they had the same impact on me as when I heard Free for the first time. I knew this band was something truly special. I’ll always hold them in high regard. I would hope that someone has the decency to release an album of unreleased tracks, B-sides and live material.

This album is one of those hidden gems that when released in 1997, received little to no support, even after the success of the bands first album "Brother" having a number one song "Peace Pipe" on Billboards Mainstream Rock Chart. This second album had a lead singer change from the first album (which in my opinion was an improvement) in Robert Mason, whose vocals are more catchy and sings with more conviction, but maybe this change was the reason for the band being overlooked.... However, this album is worth adding to the collection of any rock fan who likes a solid rock album with a heavily influenced bluesed sound, catchy hooks, and a timeless sound that would fit in quite well if it was released in 2015.

This is a fantastic CD. In my top 10 ever! It has a groove I can't seem to shake even after all these years. It's simple and genuine. I like this one better than the first and I love the first. Rob Mason fills in the cracks and it just keeps going from beginning to end. Sunday Morning Flood is my fav. Just hammers and don't let up. I wish we could get more from these guys. Shame it had to end. Buy it.

how could i not ever know there was a second album till now? and how did they not become international superstars after this? I’m totally amazed at this 2nd effort! 1st album was great but this is phenomenal in my opinion.and it happened 15 years ago!

Great guitar riffs on this and I was pleasantly surprised of a second Cry of love release but then not really. Different singer gives off a total different vibe to this band here and wow Robert Mason should call Myles Kennedy and demand his voice back. Stick to Brother if you want that really cool 70s style hard rock/blues vibe.

Audley Freed is a certified fretboard genius . . . you don't get invited to play with Warren Haynes on multiple gigs unless your chops are wired tight . . . all of the Cry of Love albums are must haves if you like straight ahead rock and roll guitar oriented tracks. Buy the whole album here . . . you will love it.

A must have for any guitar driven music lover. Catchy tunes with great melodies and groovin guitars!!

This is like a classic rock record from the 70's made in the 90's. This was before it was cool (ala Jet and White Stripes). The production is incredible by John Custer who was a staff producer with Sony. This was recorded around the time when Custer produced Chris Whitley's Din Of Ecstacy which is one the top ten rock records of the 90's as well as Dag's first record. All have a "classic edge" that makes them timeless. Custer's knack for arrangement made him one of the most influential rock producers of the 90's aside from Rick Rubin. Being a fine musican himself helped him communicate with the musicians he worked with. Now if we could only get the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Mars Volta to work with him..Hmmmmm

I wrote the first review