Counting Crows Shares Its Pain -- Courant.com

On a scale of 1 to 100 - I'd give the Crowes a 4. Duritz' narcissism was absolutely unbearable. He completely destroyed their biggest hit with a laughably disinterested take on "Mr. Jones" and dismissively sang some other hits. I'm a big fan of improvisation in music, especially rock/blues, but it just didn't work. I would've walked out if my wife didn't like the band so much. Stick a fork in this band. Unless you want to feel like a psychologist at a rock concert.

I differ with the author on the radiance of concert, though I should first state that as I am not a substantial fan of the Counting Crows, I will refrain from commenting on them (which happens to have been the focus of the article).
I am, however, a fanatic of Live, and take serious disagreement with the statement that Live (and Collective Soul) "offer[ed] up mid-'90s hits that felt as bland and unmemorable as the years that spawned them." I assume that this simile is meant at its shallow face-value, and is not, through irony, to suggest the complete opposite.
True, Live had a smaller and thusly limited playlist due to not being the headlining band, but, for a true fan, the concert was phenomenal and energetic as usual. To lump-sum their music as being unmemorable as the decade that spawned them (which begs the question, has this decade’s music really been significantly more memorable thus far?), the band played everything from songs on their first studio release in 1991 to, seven albums later, their most recent album, released last year. Fifteen years of rock, from lush energy to metaphoric ballads, is no small feat. I ask, How many bands still fall off the face of the earth today after their one-hit-wonder or one album, never to be heard from or seen by their fans again? Had the author asked any of the fans standing besides him at the concert if they thought Live had been forgotten or was forgettable, well, I’m sure the response would not have been as the article insinuated.
Personally, I was down on the field, perhaps 6 bodies deep from the stage; everyone around me was jumping, singing along, and waving lighters, beverages, hands, and the like. No one else gave the impression that the milieu was “bland.” To experience a band live in concert is to truly feel the music; based on this review, I can only wonder if the author was actually at the concert, or merely read about it in some other newspaper?

Traveling from Long Island to see one of my fav bands- CC- I have mixed feelings about the concert. I agree with DAC- I was right down in front of the stage and both Collective Soul and Live had fans singing and rocking. Before the show, I had no interest in either warm up band, but was pleasantly surprised by LIVE- they were good. I was dissapointed by the CC. After being at the ballpark since 4:30, I was hoping for some energy and charisma, but found myself bored a few songs into their set. Being that it got really cold, I had a headache from all the cig smoke (get with it CT and ban it in public places- I avoid Foxwoods for this reason) and their set was so slow and uninteresting, we left early. Since I am a big Crows fan and love that they change up their songs so that every concert is a unique experience, this is not one of their better or more memorable performances.

To the author. You open the article by making the opinion that Adam Duritz isn't most rockers. I would easily agree. What this author fails to recognize is that Adam and Counting Crows have built a strong fan base around their painfully honest music, and their unique flavor that sharpens some of the pain we experience in our lives. Playing and listening to music can be a form of therapy and to place that idea in a negative light seemed to prove the subconscious expectations you have when experiencing a live performance. I would also like to point out that the band members are not "Crows" as it seems you refer to them as. This is a common mis confusion as the band is called "Counting Crows", refering to the action, Counting Crows. The band is not a bunch of "Crows". Before openly criticizing an established, and well reputed band , learn how to properly refer to them.

Big Counting Crows fan, but they were absolutely awful in concert. Duritz is really into himself. CS and Live were better than expected.

uhmm give it up guys! check yo calendar! this aint 1994 its 2007

I am a big Counting Crows fan and I do not agree with this review. Duritz performance was nothing less then amazing. He is passionate about his music and his performance was heart felt. Duritz music touches people because it is about real issues. He is honest about life and people can therefore easily relate to his music. Keep it up Duritz… you are amazing!

yeah right duritz is amazing, back in 94.... seriously the dude cant even sing his biggest hit "mr. jones" without being all moody. lighten up bro and sing it right, its the only reason you have anyone to play to. just thirtysomethin losers that are tryin to hang on to their college days

My favorite band is CC, they are a great band.I have been lucky enough to have seen them twice, including when they were with the Hollywood Bowl orchestra.What an amazing show that was.I am looking forward to the new CD and I hope to see them again when they make it to my part of the country.Adam is a great writer and singer.