Ordinary Heroes marks a significant shift for
Howard Jones who abandons almost every synthesized element that characterized his music from
Human's Lib on in favor of smooth, litely soulful groove. It’s his quietest album ever, stealing that distinction from 1998’s
People, and the lack of snazzy synths shifts focus directly upon
Jones’ songs, which trade easy pop melodies for a measure of introspection. There’s a dose of sprightliness on a couple of songs, such as “Collective Heartbeat” and “Even If I Don’t Say,” but most of the album is deliberate and slow -- an intentional move, to make it all the better to ruminate on
Jones’ quiet reflections and slowly churning grooves. He sustains this mood throughout
Ordinary Heroes, and for many listeners who have stayed with him throughout the past quarter-century, it will be easy to slip inside his world. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine