World Without Tears

( 3 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David McGee
If the moody ruminations on 2001's Essence found Lucinda Williams boxing mostly with God, then the rousing rock 'n' roll driving World Without Tears reveals her combatants to be made of flesh and blood -- though lacking backbone when it comes to commitment and sincerity. Romantic disillusion is a dominant theme here, but the Grammy-winning songwriter also turns a critical eye on social dissolution: In a languorous talking blues titled "American Dream," the verses are snapshots of the disenfranchised -- an addicted Vietnam vet, an itinerant coal miner coughing his lungs out, a Native American double-crossed by the government -- revealed in concise, blunt imagery over a ...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David McGee
If the moody ruminations on 2001's Essence found Lucinda Williams boxing mostly with God, then the rousing rock 'n' roll driving World Without Tears reveals her combatants to be made of flesh and blood -- though lacking backbone when it comes to commitment and sincerity. Romantic disillusion is a dominant theme here, but the Grammy-winning songwriter also turns a critical eye on social dissolution: In a languorous talking blues titled "American Dream," the verses are snapshots of the disenfranchised -- an addicted Vietnam vet, an itinerant coal miner coughing his lungs out, a Native American double-crossed by the government -- revealed in concise, blunt imagery over a burbling organ, bluesy guitar, steadily thumping drums, and a low, moaning harmonica. "Atonement" may not have been intended as social commentary -- more likely it's a challenge to a reluctant lover to get with the program -- but its righteous anger and sarcastic, militaristic lyrics "kill the rats in the gutter…bite down hard 'til it sticks between your teeth / Glory, glory we've killed the beast" seem especially timely in 2003, as does the chilling firestorm of howling guitar, clunky percussion, and apocalyptic blues thunder. On the personal home front, the Crazy Horse–like crunch-and-grunge of "Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings" powers a tale of dangerous obsession. In "Overtime," a hypnotic, shimmering backdrop, à la Daniel Lanois circa Sling Blade, frames a tender country breakup ballad. To the easy beat of a lazy country shuffle in "People Talkin'," Williams vows to stand by her man and stay true to herself in spite of outsiders' vicious talk. In the end, Williams discovers, flesh and blood needs flesh and blood, no matter the personal price. World Without Tears is her book of revelation, one that fans will want to devour, chapter and verse.
New York Times - Alan Light
Stunning... From the revved-up stomp of "Bleeding Fingers" to the heart-tugging old-school country on "Over Time" and "People Talkin' " to several hip-hop-inflected narratives, it's the first recording that truly illustrates the range of a woman whose conversation is sprinkled with easy references to ZZ Top, Nina Simone, No Doubt and Allen Ginsberg.
Rolling Stone - Karen Shoemer
Musically, it's as superb as anything she's ever done.
Spin Magazine - Robert Levine
It could be the closest Williams has come to that perfect, elusive sound she's always been after. (A)
Entertainment Weekly - Will Hermes
World Without Tears is... not just another great Lucinda Williams record. A perfectly imperfect set, it's looser, blowsier, and more what-the-hell? than anything she's done. (A)

Musically, it's as superb as anything she's ever done.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/8/2003
  • Label: Lost Highway
  • UPC: 008817035529
  • Catalog Number: 170355
  • Sales rank: 591

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Fruits of My Labor (4:49)
  2. 2 Righteously (4:41)
  3. 3 Ventura (4:43)
  4. 4 Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings (4:43)
  5. 5 Over Time (3:58)
  6. 6 Those Three Days (4:59)
  7. 7 Atonement (5:50)
  8. 8 Sweet Side (3:37)
  9. 9 Minneapolis (4:08)
  10. 10 People Talkin' (5:11)
  11. 11 American Dream (4:38)
  12. 12 World Without Tears (4:17)
  13. 13 Words Fell (4:14)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Lucinda Williams Primary Artist, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Taras Prodaniuk Bass, Harmony, Standup Bass
Jim Christie Drums, Wurlitzer, Vox Organ
Doug Pettibone Mandolin, Electric Guitar, Harmony
Technical Credits
Lucinda Williams Producer, Art Direction
Mark Howard Producer, Engineer
Joe Gastwirt Mastering
Taras Prodaniuk Arranger
Jim Christie Arranger
Jim Kemp Art Direction
Doug Pettibone Arranger
Gary Briggs Executive Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

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(2)

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(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A M A Z I N G !

    For years my friend the music reporter has told me to listen to Lucinda Williams, daughter of the University of Arkansas professor, linguist, and poet, Miller Williams. He was right!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Phenomenal Songwriting

    Wow, an actual singer-songwriter who is writing and singing great music....she calls to mind such pioneers as Ani DiFranco and Joan Armatrading. Lucinda Williams has an extraordinary gift for emotionally eloquent lyrics, accompanied by music and melody nothing short of amazing. I listened to this CD over and over, and with each trip through the speakers, the songs became more and more beautiful. This is a crossover triumph for Lucinda Williams.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Saddle up, fellow boot-scooters!

    Hello, old friends. This one is hot off the press and it sizzles like a sausage in a frying pan! It's got a real honky tonk edge to it and I think you're gonna love it! Hold your loved one close and slow dance to the two-stepper entitled "Skidmarks in the Comode (This Morning)". You're gonna choke on that microwave burrito when you hear the rip-roaring track, "Longlegged Sally is a no-necked Prostitute". She's got an allstar cast of musicians working for her on this album, including the slight-of-hand drummer Mick O'McMickermick and the six-fingered guitarist Larry Rawlson. We've already heard the success of some of these tracks, one of them, entitled "Barfin' off the back porch with my old pal, Pinto" was featured on the TV show, "Alias", a couple weeks ago. I'll let you be the judge of whether or not to buy it, but I think that if you're a true Lucinda fan and you've enjoyed her past work, you'll be pleased with this new release.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews