No comments about Arise Plus Two.

5 comments about Parallel Play.

1. Sloan's 9th studio album, Parallel Play, is one of their best and most consistent albums. There is nary a dull moment among its thirteen tracks, and it is proof that the band didn't exhaust itself creatively after 2006's 30-track Never Hear the End of It. In fact, those who thought that that magnum opus should have been pared down will find this lean but muscular CD to be the perfect antidote. Moreover, those who found the quality of Sloan's output waning in the early 2000s will find them back in fine form on this album.
   
   Pointing out highlights on Parallel Play is simply a matter of picking personal favorites. The only weak track on the album is "Too Many," which is made an all-the-more effective closer by the fact that it isn't that great. (I'm not sure that Sloan is the type of band that should be writing anti-war songs, no matter how much they might mean it.)
   
   Several of the songs fall into one of two categories, while the others are less subject to definition. There are the solid hard rockers "Believe in Me" and "Burn for It," both by guitarist Patrick Pentland, and drummer Andrew Scott's "Emergency 911," a loud plea for peaceful suburban living that reminds me of the similarly reckless "Style" by The Lemonheads. The stand-out among the rockers, however, is bassist Chris Murphy's aging-rocker lament "I'm Not a Kid Anymore." Among its priceless lyrics are "I relied heavily on Styx and Stones/Not so much Styx once I heard The Ramones" and "Scariest thing about my Halloween/is that November rent is due."
   
   Elsewhere, guitarist Jay Ferguson strikes pure AM gold on "Cheap Champagne," "Witch's Wand," and "If I Could Change Your Mind." "Witch's Wand," especially, is everything that one hopes from a Sloan song. Significantly, it appears right at the point at which one wonders if the album can possibly keep sounding so good. By being the last and the best of the first half-dozen songs, this earworm delivers a real knockout punch. (Also on the pop front, Murphy contributes the really good "All I Am is All You're Not," which sits comfortably among Ferguson's tracks.)
   
   After that high point, Parallel Play segues into drummer Andrew Scott's "The Dogs," which is the only slow-tempo number on the album. A few songs later is Pentland's psychedelic "The Other Side." Finally, there is "Down in the Basement." Power pop is probably the only genre that doesn't include a Bob Dylan aspirant. On this grin-inducing homage to Dylan and The Band, however, Scott does a fine job of aping both the voice and verbose, stream-of-consciousness lyric writing of rock's poet laureate.
   
   For quite some time, if not forever, Sloan's main weakness has been crafting a beginning-to-end collection of equally good songs. Parallel Play is arguably the closest that they have ever come. It is a fine place to re-appreciate the band or to hear them for the first time. Although I have become a big fan only recently, I have not yet been completely won over by favorites like Twice Removed or One Chord to Another. Parallel Play, however, had me from the first track.



2. 2006's NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT was Sloan's longest album. While I haven't checked the timings, I would be willing to bet that PARALLEL PLAY is their shortest. I absolutely don't understand previous reviews that identify only a couple of great songs. There are a couple of bland songs (in particular the final track, "Too Many"), but most of the rest are either good or extremely good. For instance, "Emergency 911" is a very good song, but I would rate at least six songs better. Even by Sloan's admittedly exceptionally high standards this is a very good album. I might rank it below TWICE REMOVED, ONE CHORD TO ANOTHER, ACTION PACT, and the aforementioned NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT, but I would put PARALLEL PLAY next, maybe alongside NAVY BLUES. But Sloan is one of those bands like Sleater-Kinney or Spoon that just seems to be capable of spitting out an unending number of remarkably fine discs. Anyone unfamiliar with Sloan getting acquainted with them through this disc would be amazed to learn that they have several that are better.
   
   Since people here are mentioning their favorites, I'll add mine. "Witches Wand," "Burn for It," "Believe in Me," "Cheap Champagne," "Down in the Basement," and "I'm Not a Kid Anymore" are all, in my opinion, first rate songs. Others are merely good. But even so I also like "The Dogs" and other cuts. The only pseudo-complaint that I think someone could make about the album is that it doesn't cut new ground. But so what? Even if it repeats previous successes, they are great repeats.
   
   I did get a huge kick out of "Down in the Basement," intended as an obvious rip of Bob Dylan. Sometimes the guitar playing puts you in mind of HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED with Michael Bloomfield on guitar, sometimes the Basement Tapes, with fellow Canadian Robbie Robertson. But if you are a fan of Dylan, the song is a delight.



3. NHTEOI was sucky. There are maybe 2 songs out of "30" that would go in a Sloan playlist. But this disc has 3 classics: Believe In Me, Burn For It and Witches Wand. Andrew's experiments in punk and reggae are ok but nothing to worry about. The Dylan rip off, "Down In The Basement" was fine at first listen but quickly grew tiresome. Like Bob Dylan! Patrick Pentland OWNS this band. Ha ha. But where is Chris Murphy's tunefulness? He used to be so good and poppy. It was nice to see who could top the other between him and Patrick. But now it seems you can pretty much skip his songs the way you do most of Andrew's and Jay's. None of his contributions on this album are worth a replay. My advice is buy the disc to help the guys make a buck and turn up the "barbed wire heart" part of Burn For It reeeeally loud. It will make you forgive the boring excess of NHTEOI and the rest of the filler that's come along ever since Pretty Together and remember the gold era of OCTA, Navy Blues and BTB.



4. I've been on board the Sloan express since OCTA, and have to say this record cannot match their epic NHTEOI from last year (2006 for hosers!). While I consider Andrew's cuts on the last release quite a treat, on this effort they inspire me to hit the "next track" button on my CD player. So now we're talking about a 9-song disc, which is too little room for such a talented band. On the positive side, Chris Murphy's songs are pure rock extacy. Makes me almost wish he'd go solo. Still, Sloan provide more rock licks that most bands, which is why I still give 4 stars. OK, west coast tour now...



5. After several weeks of very enjoyable listening, I'm happy to report that this is another great album and much better to me than Pretty Together or Action Pact. Some of the tracks sound great right off, others gradually, and surprisingly win you over with repeated spins. Is it their best ever? Who cares! Watershed aside, it's miles better than anything else I've bought this year so far. It's going to be a lot of fun hearing this new stuff along with tracks from the last album at the concert in the fall.

No comments about Meat Is Murder.

5 comments about Nihil.

1. I give this one star not because I dislike the album. In fact it is amazing and I encourage all my friends to buy it. However, the album you are looking at above is the TVT version and is now out of print. Metropolis Records is re-releasing this album on March 6th with an additional bonus track. You can find the pre-order by doing a search for Nihil.
   
   Get this album only if you are a completest. Otherwise get the new version like I am.



2. Sure, since MDFMK, they have become probably one of the most revered industrial bands out there; but this is a personal favorite of mine, pre-MDFMK. Recognized the first track, "Ultra," right away when I saw a trailer for Manga and just had to start dancing. "Disobedience" has to be my favorite track on the album - truly unique for KMFDM's style, but certainly a treat, accompanied by brass instruments and an amazing guitar riff that knocked me flat on my back. If you like KMFDM and have not yet heard this album, I would highly recommend it. It's worth its money.



3. this is definately among my top industrial albums...that i have heard. the other kmfdm cds being out of print really doesnt help a curious mind at all. if you want this album cheap, go get it on ebay. i don't think there are any over 20 dollars. i have yet to get angst, symbols and the other out of print kmfdm albums, but im going to end up getting them.
   
   is it just me, or is all the good music going out of print and STAYING there?
   
   oh well, it only makes kmfdm's old stuff seem like a delicacy which is a good thing.



4. This is not as dark as some reviews say it is. Well at least its not as dark as some of the music I listen to, but it is definantly awsome. It kind of picks up where angst left off with the guitars, but on this cd Ramond Watts is in the mix. This is probably the most popular KMFDM cd. Especially with Hits like Juke Joint Jezebell.
   Ultra 6/10 At first I thought this song was awsome but overtime it got boring
   Juke Joint Jezebel 8/10 This is the song that gets most people into KMFDM. I think its a good song but I can think of about 25 other songs from them Id rather here. Dont get me wrong this one is fun, but when I think of KMFDM I think of songs like,Flesh, Glory, Dogma, Anarchy, Free your hate, apathy and stray bullet.
   Flesh 10/10 speaking about flesh this is the first great song on this cd. Watts does an excellent job on the vocalls and the guitars just kick ass. This one should definantly be one of there more popular songs.
   Beast 9/10 I really like this one. Its got fun lyrics and great music
   Terror 10/10 Great beat and great lyrics. Really catchy. The first time I heard this one I couldnt get it out of my head all day
   Search and Destroy 10/10 Another of my favorites. It is really fast and energetic. Great lyrics "will we close our eyes and fall for their lies, or will we make the conclusion that this lifes a dilousion.
   Disobediance 9/10 When I bought this cd I never would have thought that I would like this song. But it grew on me and now its one of my favorite songs on here. If your not used to horns give this one time and it will make a fan out of you.
   Revolution 8/10 Beautiful singing from Darona. She is my second favorite KMFDM female vocalist after of course the sexy Lucia.
   Brute 10/10 Another hard song. once again watts is the man . The guitars ar really good.
   Trust 8/10 this one reminds me of brute and beast in a way. Pretty good song to close out the cd.
   This is one of the most important cds to buy. If you can find it under 15 dollars pick it up right away. Its out of print. I bought it at 25 and it was worth it, but the day after somebody was selling it for 10$. F$%k!



5. It's amazing how many reviews I've read touting this album as the best KMFDM album there is. While I agree that it is great, it's certainly not the best. That honor belongs to either Symbols or Naive (the original, not Hell to Go).
   
   This album is a great place to start for any KMFDM newcomer, and it's also a great one to pick up if you're a longtime KMFDM fan. I guess basically what I'm trying to say is that this is an excellent album to pick up. Period.

5 comments about Heartbreaker.

1. Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams *****
   
   Heartbreaker, Ryan Adams very first solo album a alternative country album, Adams' all time best work. Think Wilco by way of Black Flag. Oddly enough the comparison isn't too far off, as Adams' chosen genre is one that feels open enough to bridge the extremely hallow gap between that of country western music, and good ol' fashioned punk n' roll.
   
   Lyrically we get the since that Heartbreaker is an album of well...heartbreak (as many of Adams' albums would be during his career. Imagery of broken hearts, one night stands, and drug fueled affairs haunt this album like a bottle of Jack haunted Hank Williams Sr. Never again would Adam's lyrics feel so damn honest and pure. Never again would they feel so true and open, as if telling a story or better yet sitting as a voyeur watching the magic unfold right there before your very own eyes.
   
   Tracks like 'Amy' and 'My Winding Wheel' haunt and creep along like the memory of a past love, while ever contrasting those is 'Too Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High) and the powerhouse of slide guitar 'Shakedown On 9th Street.'
   
   Rivaling even his best work with the fabulous Whiskey Town, and ever his work with newer backing band the Cardinals. It remains to be seen if Adams will ever be able to surpass this monster of a record, even though a testament is more a likely and suiting word. Often does he come close, but no closer has he come than that of Easy Tiger which even after a listen to and a comparison to Heartbreaker falls flat.



2. This album has grown to be my favorite album in my collection. I own this both on CD and Vinyl and it is in rotation at least twice a week since the first time I made the purchase. Heartbreaker comes off as the most honest and organic sounding album I have listened to. In many ways it reminds me alot of the feeling you can get from a Dylan "Blood on the tracks/ Blonde on Blonde" listen but with a modern touch. Its a genuine Record that hopefully becomes a classic.



3. I know absolutely NOTHING about Ryan Adams, but Amazon is FULL of POINTLESS reviews that seem to be taking over ones that are actually about the item, so I thought I'd do a one off pointless review and say that this album deserves 10 out of 10 on the fact that it was named after Mariah Carey's 14th US #1 single "Heartbreaker" :)



4. Give this album time and you'll never regret it. A quiet night in with a bottle of wine and you'll be hooked. You don't even need to be going through a tough break-up to appreciate it - although it helps! The melodies, the lyrics, even the album cover - everything is perfect. Enjoy!



5. I like to give the entire album a chance before I skip to more popular song; however, I found myself ready to move on very quickly. I started listening at track one...skip...track two...skip... etc. I think there are about 4 really good songs on here, but I'm kinda disappointed that the first actual CD I've bought in a LONG time since iTunes and Yahoo music have come along did not live up to my impression of it.
   
   The harmonica is bland. I dislike that aspect the most.
   
   Other than that, I guess it was pretty good for the amazon price. WOULD NOT pay anything more than $12 for this CD.

5 comments about Olé! Tarantula.

1. This is a classic!.... every single track on this album is a great song... OLE Tarantula is a great catchy track.... you can't listen to NY Doll without welling up.... the rest of the album is fantastic... saw Robyn twice while he was promoting this album, and both times he was great....



2. Has its moments, but not up to snuff with earlier works. For anyone not overly familiar with RH; just get his greatest hits album. This is a superb sample of his work and has 10-12 shining nuggets that won't leave your head. As for this release the first half is quite strong; Underground Sun is my favorite. However, I am hard pressed to recommend anything after song 6.



3. Even at his darkest moments there is something about Hitchcock's music that puts a spring in your step. A great album from a truely great performer.



4. Three songs on "Ole! Tarantula" achieve near-greatness: the goofy/creepy title song, "(A Man's Gotta Know His Limitations) Briggs," and "N.Y. Doll." None of the other tracks really moved me--as another reviewer noted, they're standard-issue Robyn Hitchcock surealism. ("Museum Of Sex" is especially disappointing, given the vast Hitchcockian potential implicit in the title--unfortunately, the song's just one more throwaway ramble about tomatoes and metaphysics.)
   
   As a longtime fan (I first saw Robyn perform when I was in college in 1985) I think it's great that Robyn has steadily recorded and released new material for all this time. It's just a bit frustrating to consider his output since about 1990--the intermittent moments of brilliance on his records of the last fifteen years indicate that he's capable of creating another "Underwater Moonlight" if he'd just not settle for putting out product and focus a little harder on the songwriting.



5. This is by far the strongest overall album Robyn has done since the Egyptians, and compares pretty favorably with anything he's done, ever. While albums like "Moss Elixir" and "Jewels for Sofia" have a couple of absolute gems, they're in among weaker songs and arrangements, whereas my favorites here, "Authority Box", "Underground Sun", and "Museum of Sex", only stand out a bit from a very rich background. The Venus 3 come off as more of a real band than any of the groups that Robyn has recorded with since the Egyptians, and while I frankly prefered Andy Metcalfe's bass lines to those of Scott McCaughey, they're a well-balanced ensemble. This is my favorite record of the past 6 months. Strongly recommended.

5 comments about Hey Ma.

1. I've been a fan of James since the 80s and LAID is one of my favorite albums of all time. While other albums since then have had a couple stand out singles, I'm happy to find this album to be their best one since Laid. Has all the magic, the members, the chemistry... something about it. A great listen from beginning to end. At last!



2. Though the first three songs are decent- Waterfall being the best of them- the rest of the album is at best average. I expected much more from an awesome band who had a lot of time to put together some great music but instead came up with tunes too mellow and lacking kick. Being a huge James fan, listening to this makes them sound aged.



3. I happened onto James back in the 90's when they were touring the United States and landed at the theatre where I work in Sacramento, California. It's easy to get a bit jaded when live acts come and go frequently when you work in a live venue, but occasionally an act comes along that wakes you up and thrills you. James was one of those bands. I found myself mesmerized by lead singer Tim Booth (especially his passionate, intense voice and wild, free-form dancing) and the sound created by the entire band. Unlike many bands, all of the guys were interesting to watch, and seemed to have very different personalities (you wondered how they ended up in the same band). They filled the 1,000 seat theatre with layers of sound in a way that was almost overwhelming, and I was also impressed that the lyrics were not just typical pop love songs but songs that covered a wide variety of life experiences, and many grabbed me on first listen. It's truly rare that happens when you see a band without knowing anything about them. I'm not a kid, and yet I found myself, as the night wore on, acting like a giddy fan, pushing through the crowd to get closer to the experience, to the point where I was just a couple of rows back in the crowd standing against the stage. I was glued throughout the rest of the show, and found myself whooping, stomping, and dancing as wildly as Tim by show's end, sweating through every layer of clothing I had on. It was exhilarating. I became a huge fan of the group and their recordings, buying everything I could get my hands on, and was not disappointed in the studio versions of their music. However, I hoped to see them again someday live. A few years later I saw a gig announced for San Francisco, but, upon arriving at SF's Fillmore Theatre to see them the day of the show, we were stunned to hear that Tim had been skateboarding earlier in the day on the hills of SF and had broken his collarbone, and they were canceling the show. That was the last I heard of them in the U.S., as years later, in 2001, I discovered they had disbanded, and we were left with one of the best live-show DVD's ever produced, as a record of their final show, performed in their hometown--titled "Getting Away With It...Live." (Highly recommended viewing, by the way). Jump now to this year, 2008, and I was ecstatic to hear that the entire band--all 7 members--were re-forming and about to release a new CD. I was so excited I sought it out in its international release, months before being released in the U.S., and was floored that, on first listen, the guys were back in excellent form with a terrific new recording. "Hey Ma" is one of their best albums, maybe even their best (I'll decide that in years to come), and I've found that I'm listening to every song frequently, not just a few. My favorite cuts, though, are "I Wanna Go Home," "Waterfall," and "Of Monsters & Heroes & Men," though really the entire album shines as a complete and beautiful work. Then, even more good news: mid-summer I was overjoyed to hear the guys were going to do a mini-tour of the U.S to promote the Fall U.S. release of the album, and that one of their stops was San Francisco, at The Grand. I bought tickets the day they went on sale, and, frankly, was a bit nervous the show would be canceled again! But come October 1st the show went on as scheduled, I was once again a couple of rows from the stage, standing, dancing wildly, and getting the live James experience--exactly what I'd hoped for. It seemed like a miracle to see all 7 of the guys together again after so many years and looking so joyous and invigorated...I thought I'd never see them again live. So, welcome back, guys, thanks for getting back together again, and congratulations on creating such a beautiful, passionate album. I know this album, your past work, and the memory of the two live concert experiences will remain favorite memories of mine for the rest of my life. Here's hoping you stay together and continue, and we get to do it all again, but if that doesn't happen, I can say it already feels like I've had real magic happen in getting to live these "two lives of James" with you over the last 20 years or so. Cheers...



4. This is my favourite album of 2008! It's brilliant to see the band reunited, fresh and energetic. They're in top form here. I saw them live in September before I heard the album, and the show's enormous success was largely due to the strength of the album. Powerful, thrilling music. "Waterfall" is the best song of the year; check out these lyrics:
   
   " Watching too much TV I'm an actor in a puppet show
   There's so much stuff in my life no room for me to grow
   One day I'm going to break from my life due south down to Mexico
   I'm going to burn down my house it's the only way to let it go"
   
   Go get it! You won't be sorry.



5. About the only thing I knew about James was that they had a huge hit in the 1990s with "Laid". Kudos to them for putting some great full-length samples up on their MySpace site which allowed me to sample the music on this album. I am not sure why it came out so much earlier in the UK, although they have quite a following there and perhaps timed the release in the U.S. to coincide with their great tour of the states.
   
   The album starts off with "Bubbles", with some great lyrics such as "take an axe to your family tree" and ends with a soaring round of "I'm alive... I'm alive..." The title track is really great, albeit a rather politically-charged song. It was one of the songs they put on their MySpace site, along with another standout, "Whiteboy". "Whiteboy" is perhaps my favorite song of 2008, and it's just a fun, bouncy song. The album is a nice balance of mid-tempo songs and ends with "I Wanna Go Home", one of those great mid-tempo ways to end the album.
   
   I liked their music so much from this one album that I checked out their other stuff and really enjoyed at least half of their album, Laid, and their greatest hits album is a real treat.

No comments about Psychosomatic.

5 comments about Worlds Apart.

1. There is no reason not to love this... it is something you can listen to over and over and still discover nuances you may have missed the first ten times.
   
   From "Caterwaul" to "Russia, My Homeland" I found myself excited. What unique and fantastic songwriting!! Aside from wrecking havoc on their instruments I consider them truly great musicians that never fail to impress me. Buy this album immediately, along with the rest of their catalog.



2. So this band is amazing and this album is pretty good stuff. The album just feels like it has not pinacle. When you listen to some songs you are waiting for it to speed up or start building... but it never comes. Kind of disappointing on that point. The songs are all pretty good just not great.



3. It might be slightly better than So Divided (but not much difference). Lots of strong, powerful rhythm. Anthems mix with melodies. Emotion stays strong. This band needs a lot more recognition! I know they've moved around, but I still like to think of them as a NW band.



4. this could be my favorite trail of dead album. completely underrated album. it's short, the only fault, but that's what the repeat button is for



5. Possibly this album holds the largest dichotomy of visual art versus sonic art. The music is excellent- the album art could be the worst ever seen. It's like Dungeon and Dragons done with photoshop. The name of the band and name of the album is almost as bad as the cover art. What gives? Just have some normal artwork on the cover, you Grand Wizards in Purple Cloaks! Where are the Multi sided dice?

5 comments about Queen Elvis.

1. if the office of god were open to public election, i would vote for robyn hitchcock. he is the only person alive or dead with the knowledge and the ability to run the universe (other than me, but i'm not running). and that is for "autumn sea" alone. ten perfect songs in perfect order. i get chills sometimes listening to it, and i've done that often. the only album for every season of the year that can be put on at any time of day despite (or in favor of) any mood that fits. if you don't have this piece of music, you should, whoever you are. and if you haven't heard of mr. hitchcock, you probably can't read anyway so why am i continuing to talk to you. just remember...swirling can take up all your time as well.



2. Surround Robyn Hitchcock with strings, prancing piano, harmonic backing vocals, and perfect pop song structure, and you have, Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians."Queen Elvis", from 1989, offers Hitchcock's bizarre and funny wordplay, ("yesterday I saw the devil in my food. I wasn't hungry, but I played with it."), in several carefully knit and catchy pop song crafts. "Wax Doll" stabs the heart of the friendly pop sound with it's lingering, aching refrain, "Is your wax doll still crying in the fire?", (I used to think the line said, "If your work's done, they're still praying in the valley", - I liked that too!), and "Superman", is a jangly guitar ode to a precious toy found in a cereal box, that reaches incredulous heights, -"It took the holy Roman Empire just to keep you satisfied, and I'm going to be more careful with you, aren't I?". "Queen Elvis" is a neatly trimmed album on a constant wavelength of melodic delights edged by Hitchcock's descriptive ponders that take frightening and beautiful shape. REM's Peter Buck adds guitar on several cuts, and violinist/composer Jocelyn Pook, who composed the devil ritual music in the film, "Eyes Wide Shut", offers her lofty and stinging strings on "The Devil's Coachman", and "Wax Doll".



3. This recording is an incredible piece of work by the great and underappreciated Robyn Hitchcock. This CD is sadly out of print so if you can find it buy it. Songs like "The Devils Coachman" "Freeze" "Wax Doll" and "Veins of the Queen" are mysterious, riveting and between the usual salient lyrics of Mr. Hitchcock and the sheer power of the sounds created on this recording you will be amazed and will find yourself listening to this incredible work over and over. Many thanks Mr. Hitchcock!



4. I was previously disheartened to note that Amazon was not selling my favorite Hitchcock album, so it's great to see it back on the list.
   
   This is Hitchcock at a creative peak featuring some of his most introspectively wacky lyrics. For comparison, I like this one much more than GLOBE OF FROGS, which always seemed to be a more popular one. QUEEN ELVIS is basically fun, quirky guitar pop. Here's a brief rundown of the songs with some snippits from one of my favorite rock lyricists --->
   
   "Madonna of the Wasps" - Layers of Robyn's vocals singing "IS THIS LOVE?" create almost a magical "Midsummer Night's Dream" effect before drums and a ringing guitar build up and send you into jangle-pop heaven, thanks in part to guest guitarist Peter Buck from R.E.M. - Buck also plays on "Swirling" and "Freeze." -- "Lost Madonna of the Wasps, I wonder where we crossed/ I wonder why she lost me - "
   
   "The Devil's Coachman" - Egyptian bassist Andy Metcalfe has a big, wobbly, bouncy style I just love. It's in full swing on this track. This is a really wild, surrealistic tune and one of my favorites on QUEEN ELVIS. So loaded with great lines, it's hard to pick one: ". . . a long kebab through your ovaries/the same goes out the same goes in."
   
   "Wax Doll" - This is my least favorite track here even though I do like it a lot. The same great orchestral string section that played on "Devil's Coachman" returns for this one. --- "Or high above the waves, the wrinkled little waves you cannot smooth."
   
   "Knife" - This one has great spiraling guitar and bass lines that weave around to hypnotic effect. "Here is a pointy daggery knife."
   
   "Swirling" - a sweet tune that does indeed swirl around in a wonderful way - "Swirling occupys my life/and if I had a wife she'd be you."
   
   "One Long Pair of Eyes" - This one's very pretty and I really like R. H.'s singing. Although some might find his voice too nasally for their tastes, he makes up fo it with his own peculiar style. "In the tower the lover sighs/"Good Sir Knight, please take my eyes - I've used them.""
   
   "Veins of the Queen" - This is a stately, Beatlesque yet minimal little beauty. Great background vocals and the trumpet is a regal touch. "How I'd love to say I'd been/ Down the veins of her Majesty the Queen." (from the point of view of a mosquito? or maybe not . . . ?)
   
   "Freeze" - The most rockin' track here, intense yet hilarious. Hitchcock throws a lot of proper names around in his songs (I hate that word "proper" - it's so English-priggish sounding and it reminds me of folding laundry or changing diapers or something, but I guess I'm stuck with it here - ed.) and I wonder if some of these people he mentions are real. On this song, he name checks David Byrne who is unquestionably real, but I'm not sure how a real "Steve" or "Elaine" would react to being in this bizarre yet potentially personal song. "There's a dead man in your heart/ And he takes up too much room/ And I know just what he's called/ He's called Steve."
   
   "Autumn Sea" - I love this dreamy little number. Robyn turns in a fantastic vocal, at turns singing almost wearily and then going off on totally wacked-out, 90-mile-an-hour fictitious rants. "Somewhere in the autumn sea/ The kind of love you are to me - I stole you/ From a very special friend and so the friendship had to end - and how . . ."
   
   "Superman" - it took me a while to get to like this tune, but I grew a real appreciation for it. It's a weird one. For one thing, the tempo wavers deliberately. "Superman, superman, crunchy little superman/ Found you in a Corn Flakes box/ Nourished you in privacy/ Touched the parts you couldn't reach/ You improved immediately." It's a little deformed but still manages to be a triumphant and appropriate closer for this super-fun, super-creative record.



5. It's amazing that such a fine work of rock music is so unknown by most rock fans... This is a must have rock recording and really should be part of any comprehensive rock music collection...