Is Detours a good place to start with Sheryl Crow?

Yes, Detours is recommended as a starting point for new Sheryl Crow listeners. A reflective blend of folk-infused rock and heartfelt ballads, exploring themes of resilience and personal growth. Released in early 2008, Detours marked Sheryl Crow's sixth studio album, following her commercially successful work with Wildflower in 2005. At this point in her career, Crow was navigating personal challenges, including a high-profile breakup and her ongoing battle with health issues, which deeply informed the album's tone and lyrical content.

Detours works well if you're into steady pacing for reflective moments, personal storytelling through soulful vocals and gradual emotional shifts throughout.

How many songs are on Detours?

Detours has 15 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Detours

Sheryl Crow · 2008

57 min · 15 tracks · blues

A reflective blend of folk-infused rock and heartfelt ballads, exploring themes of resilience and personal growth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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God Bless This Mess Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its raw honesty, addressing personal struggles against a backdrop of catchy melodies that reflect Crow's signature style.
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Peace Be Upon Us — With its poignant lyrics and hopeful message, this song encapsulates the album’s overarching theme of seeking solace amidst turmoil.
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Make It Go Away (Radiation Song) — This track powerfully confronts Crow's health issues, using stark imagery to convey vulnerability while maintaining an uplifting spirit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends various styles with reflective lyrics but lacks a strong cohesive arc.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The instrumentation varies throughout, with acoustic guitars prominently featured alongside piano and subtle string arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for reflective moments
personal storytelling through soulful vocals
gradual emotional shifts throughout
for afternoon introspection

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy anthems
prefer standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Solid entry that showcases Crow's reflective style but isn't her most recognized work.
Themes: personal resilience· health struggles· post-breakup reflection
Career context: Released in early 2008, Detours marked Sheryl Crow's sixth studio album, following her commercially successful work with Wildflower in 2005. At this point in her career, Crow was navigating personal challenges, including a high-profile breakup and her ongoing battle with health issues, which deeply informed the album's tone and lyrical content.
Stylistic neighbors: Lucinda Williams· Patty Griffin· Alison Krauss