I grabbed two friends and my collection of Counting Crows CDs and we hit the road to DeKalb to see Counting Crows perform live. I was excited because I’m a huge fan and I had never seen them live, and a little road trip was just what I needed. Nonetheless, I must say I think the drive was just as much fun as the actual concert. Once I saw my seat in the nosebleed section I thought, ‘We’ve got to do better than this.’ Quickly using my charm and good looks, we got in the first level to the left of the stage. Though we had drunken college students all around us, we settled in and began our search for beer in this dry arena – surely someone had sneaked a case in.

Adam Duritz, the lead singer, rolled out on stage in the tightest flare-leg jeans I’d ever seen on someone. I had second thoughts; maybe we should have stayed in the nosebleed section because Adam in tight jeans was too much information. The concert was pretty good. Adam ran through his 5 albums of hits like a montage in a blockbuster movie – quick and to the point -- stopping every now and then to engage the 17-to-21 crowd in storytelling. His highlight in the performance came when he sang the classic Counting Crows from the first album, "Mister Jones" and "Round Here".

Unlike the classic Counting Crows, the new album is happy. Long gone is the sappy heartbreak of his last four albums. Finally venturing into a new sound – the country sound that often rears its ugly head in their music has been replaced with pop electronic sounds – giving the band a fresh vibe.

Hard Candy is Counting Crows on Ecstasy. Though light on lyrics and heavy on the catch pop melodies, Hard Candy is for the most part a feel-good album. The first single, "American Girls", offers a glance into young women in the U.S. who go out and party and love it, with background vocals by Sheryl Crow. "American Girls" is the sweet, sensational, hard candy needed to launch their new CD. If your sweet tooth craves the hopeless romantic side of Counting Crows, they didn’t leave you out. Check out track nine "Carriage" – it will surely satisfy your craving.

Put this CD on your Christmas list – it’s live appeal with tasty, crafted songs will bring you holiday joy.