There isn't a better retro-soul band in the business today than Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. While they may not bring anything new to the table there is no better place to go for fantastic channeling of 60's soul and some 70's funk. It's easy to get caught up in the sound of the band but that would mean overlooking the actual songs and the songs on I Learned the Hard Way are uniformly superb.
"The Game Gets Old," and the title track are sweeping soul numbers. "Better Things," "I'll Still Be True" and "Without a Heart" show off the bands funk influences. "Give it Back" and "Window Shopping" are both excellent slow tunes that add some balance. Album closer "Mama Don't Like My Man" ends the proceedings on a basic Sam Cooke feel and is my favorite song on the album.
While the band is tight and relays their vintage sounds in superb fashion, Jones is the star of the show. Her singing has always been extremely powerful but she adds a lot in terms of variations and subtlety this time around. While previous albums found her relying almost exclusively on the force in her voice, she shows more restraint on songs like "If You Call" and the result is beautiful. Lyrically they never stray too far from the heartbreak theme that has dominated all their work. Lyrical genius this is not but it's hardly offensive and suits the music perfectly.
You pretty much know what you're going to get going into I learned the Hard Way and there are no new revelations here but that's not the point. It's very enjoyable from start to finish. Anyone with an affinity for 60's soul is missing out by not listening to this band.
Rating: 4/5
Track Listing
1. "The Game Gets Old" - 3:55
2. "I Learned the Hard Way" - 3:47
3. "Better Things" - 3:40
4. "Give It Back" - 3:22
5. "Money" - 3:22
6. "The Reason" - 2:20
7. "Window Shopping" - 4:35
8. "She Ain't a Child No More" - 2:35
9. "I'll Still Be True" - 3:48
10. "Without a Heart" - 2:45
11. "If You Call" - 3:00
12. "Mama Don't Like My Man" - 2:31
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