Review from CDNow
Nine Days' debut album on 550 Music sounds so fresh, so unfettered, you'd almost think they were from Canada -- breathing in the cold clear air of Saskatchewan and writing simple, solid rock songs that endear themselves to you with each consecutive listen. But no, they're from Long Island. This isn't a bad thing, it's just that The Madding Crowd sounds so very far from the glut of the L.I.E. and the packed parking lots of strip malls.
Nine Days has been kicking around since the mid-'90s, releasing a self-produced limited release LP, and touring small clubs like crazy. Therefore, it's a wonder that the five-man band has been able to remain true to their vision of guys singing with guitars. They've resisted screaming and sampling (with the interesting exception being a sanctioned Bob Dylan sample on the track "Bob Dylan"). The Madding Crowd isn't tricked up, nor is it trying to break the sound barrier; keeping it simple works for them.

"Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" is their first single, and like most of their songs, is about the ins-and-outs of relationships. "257 Weeks" has a slight Squeeze sound, and is about tapping one's potential, even if it means taking risks. "If I Am" is a melodic tune about the virtue of patience and the pitfalls of expectations.

The Nine Days bottom line? If you're fed up with raging rock and silly pop, then you'll really enjoy The Madding Crowd for its north of the border-sounding simplicity and freshness.