This is one of the best R&B albums that I own, and I own A TON! This album was a little too ahead of its time, and a little too mature for commercial airplay. It might fit in nicely now, in the world of Jill Scott, Blial, and Alicia Keys.
I haven't ever heard any of these songs on the radio, but that is fine with me. This is one of those albums that you have to take a leap, and just purchase based on either the recommendations of others or your love of the artist's past work. For me, I fell in love HARD with Tony's debut album. Just about everything on it was wonderful. A beautiful mix of acoustic guitar, classic soul music, and understated songwriting.
On the follow up, he grows even more as a songwriter - while providing even greater music to back him up. While on his debut there were songs that I skipped consistently, I didn't find one that I didn't love on this one. None of the songs sounded too this, or too that... everything sounds just right today, just as it did the day I bought it years ago!
The standouts on the album are probably Birdseye, If You're an Angel, Thoughts of Leavin', and My Stomach Hurts. The sensitivity that bleeds through the lyrics on the album will blow you away, as will the great instrumentation. Tony Rich does have a unique sound. He isn't quite classic soul, he isn't quite rock, and he isn't quite folk. He takes the best elements of those three genres, and blends them together for your enjoyment.
Who cares that this album didn't get airplay? I didn't, and I still don't. If you are looking for a diamond in the rough, you can stop your search!