Birdseye
Studio album by
Tony Rich
Released1998
GenreR&B
LabelLaFace, Arista[1]
ProducerTony Rich
Tony Rich chronology
Words
(1996)		 Birdseye
(1998)		 Resurrected
(2003)

Birdseye is the second album by the American musician Tony Rich (credited to the Tony Rich Project), released in 1998.[2][3] "Silly Man" was the album's first single.[4]

Production

The album's songs were written by Tony Rich.[5] It was produced by Rich, with additional production by Babyface and L.A. Reid.[6][7] Rich played all of the instruments, aside from some uncredited guitar parts played by Eric Clapton.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionB+[10]
Calgary Herald[5]
Robert Christgau(dud)[11]
Los Angeles Times[7]
USA Today[4]

The Washington Post noted that "Rich downplays drums and hard beats in favor of insinuating melodies, replaces the contemporary emphasis on lust with old-fashioned romantic notions, and sings softly in a lithe, silky tenor reminiscent of his friend (and co-executive producer) Babyface."[12] The New York Times called the album "a soundtrack for seducers who can't stop thinking about the awkwardness of the morning after."[13]

The Los Angeles Times concluded that "after a while, this procession of soothing, slow-to mid-tempo numbers can seem a bit staid and monotonous."[7] Newsday deemed the album "a short, thin recording that feels like a rush job."[14] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called it "a beautiful testament to Rich's musical and lyrical growth."[10] The Chicago Tribune opined that "Rich's greatest virtue is his understatedness; he makes mood music that is more spiritual than sexual ... But though his silky melodies are insinuating and his lyrics well-intentioned, Rich is still grasping for identity."[15]

AllMusic wrote that "Birdseye remains a remarkably romantic record, one of the rare albums whose seduction feels genuine, not prepackaged."[9]

Track listing

  1. "Birdseye" – 4:59
  2. "Silly Man" – 3:42
  3. "No Time Soon" – 3:40
  4. "If You're an Angel" – 3:40
  5. "Bed" – 4:16
  6. "Cool Like That" – 3:25
  7. "Thoughts of Leavin'" – 4:14
  8. "My Stomach Hurts" – 4:19
  9. "Blue Butterfly" – 4:46
  10. "Ain't No Laughing" – 4:09

References

  1. ↑ Gonzales, Michael A. (Jul 4, 1998). "Rich views 'Birdseye' as a departure". Billboard. 110 (27): 23, 25.
  2. ↑ "Tony Rich Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ Linden, Amy (Aug 1998). "Revolutions". Vibe. 6 (8): 153–154.
  4. 1 2 Jones, Steve (11 Aug 1998). "Neil Finn solos with 'Try Whistling This'; Tony Rich follows up with 'Birdseye'". USA Today. p. 2D.
  5. 1 2 Beckley, Fred (24 Sep 1998). "CD Reviews". Calgary Herald. p. HL30.
  6. ↑ Verna, Paul (Aug 22, 1998). "Birdseye". Billboard. 110 (34): 15.
  7. 1 2 3 Gardner, Elysa (9 Aug 1998). "Rich's Gentle Ballads Could Use More Fire". Los Angeles Times. Calendar. p. 64.
  8. ↑ "Tony Rich Talks About Trading Favors With Eric Clapton". MTV News.
  9. 1 2 "Birdseye - The Tony Rich Project | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  10. 1 2 Murray, Sonia (13 Aug 1998). "R&B". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. F4.
  11. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 3573". www.robertchristgau.com.
  12. ↑ "'BIRDSEYE': TONY RICH PROJECT'S NEW ALTITUDE". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  13. ↑ Powers, Ann (September 2, 1998). "CRITIC'S CHOICE: POP CD'S; The Year of the Black Auteur, Soulfully and Seductively" – via NYTimes.com.
  14. ↑ Johnson, Martin (25 Oct 1998). "Rich's `Birdseye' Misses The Musical Bull's-Eye". Newsday. p. D23.
  15. ↑ Kot, Greg (16 Aug 1998). "Recordings". Chicago Tribune. Arts & Entertainment. p. 3.
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