A lot of people felt like Easy Tiger was too safe of an album, especially considering the fact that it was coming from an artist who was known for being prolific (not that he would admit to it) and bold with his stylistic choices. He had been an alt-country pioneer… A rough ‘n’ ready garage rocker… A brooding hipster… And with the release of the album, it seemed like he was just putting out what people were expecting from him. While I think there are some incredibly strong songs on the album, I can definitely see what people might not like about it. There’s only one song on the album that never did anything for me, and it was “Two Hearts.”
I don’t think it’s a bad song at all, it just never stood out compared to the rest of the work. There’s an abundance of emotion in “The Sun Also Sets” and “I Taught Myself How To Grow Old”, lovely folksy charm in ‘These Girls” and “Pearls On A String”, and some new ground being covered with “Rip Off.” Still, there’s nothing that’s impressing about “Two Hearts.” It’s a good vocal performance, with my highlight being when he wails “just three wo-o-o-ords.” Still, that isn’t enough to keep it from being my least favorite track on the album.
I pretty much agree, though the vocal performance is enough for me to listen to it. Actually, I think I like it better than Tears of Gold, which is really my least favorite on ET. But Two Hearts isn’t far behind.
I agree with both of you. It would have been a better album without Two Hearts and Tears of Gold.
Wow… I’ve always really enjoyed “Tears of Gold.” I’d definitely keep it on the tracklisting. If I had to get rid of another song, though, it might be “Rip Off.”