Blog
19
Mar
2010
Voices: Eric from Boston
Written by Eric-Boston
Here’s a summary of an e mail I sent the band on reviewing Six Months of Saturdays. It highlights some songs I love.
For what it’s worth, here are some comments on individual tracks.
No Poetry (Track#1). I love this song and I love Louise’s performance! Her voice is lovely and the multi-track harmonies are absolutely fabulous. It’s a wonderful song and well-executed indeed. “There’s no solitude in poetry” is a lyric that’s worthy of Wallace Stevens himself (Check out the Man with the Blue Guitar). Reminds me of “Go Places” by the New Pornographers:
Sandy (Track #2). This reminds me of a cross between Richard Thompson and Loudon Wainwright III. It’s a serious song with a great deal of humor. This song certainly takes me back to college and graduate schools days, with all the good and the bad relationships and temptations. Love the kids at the end, “is it too late to sing now?–so innocent and wonderful. Listen to:
Let Love Shine (#4). This is redolent of Tracy Ullman’s 1984 smash LP (get it if you don’t have it–get it!). Your song reminds me of Ullman’s “You broke my heart in 17 places, Shepherd’s Bush was only one”–one of the best lyrics in rock ‘n roll history (written by Kirsty MacColl). The Shirelles are somewhere in here, too–a very big compliment. Love the complex rhythms. And any song that use the word “peculiar” is OK by me!
Love you Anyway (#5). Perhaps my favorite. I’m a very big Ben Folds fan and this song is tweaking all my Ben-trained synapses. “When I shout at you, when you shout at me–superb lyrics. And I love the “Tell your sister, please do stay”….”Guys they might try, too.” Great lines.
Too Many Weddings (#11). Very sweet lyrics and complex chord changes and all. Have you heard “Twisted” by Joni Mitchell?–a like like that. I first heard it on Radio Caroline, broadcasting from the North Sea in 1975.
71 Hours (#12). 71 Hours. Wow, congratulations. This is the HOOK SONG! Every CD needs one, and this is it. It’s not as sophisticated as some of your other songs, but, boy, does it carve a path in my brain. The Wa-Wa peddle is great and the the lyrics are really wonderful, including the phrase “Saturday regrets”. This could win a pop contest. Love the “boooooze”. It’s a little like Dolly Parton (“Nine to Five”) meets the Bangles (“Manic Monday”). But this song rests on its own. Congratulations to everyone on this one!!
That’s it from Boston. Eric in March.