Album Review
Anyone who’s a fan of the eccentric talent known as Robyn Hitchcock is well aware that you never know what you are getting into when you pick up a new a album by the longstanding cult fave. While 2004’s Spooked was a successful trip into a moodier bluegrass approach (thanks in large part to key contributors Gillian Welch and David Rawlings) by 2006’s Ole! Tarantula, Hitchcock had found a new backing band (The Venus 3) and seemed content to rock out again.
The result was the best solo Hitchcock album in ages. It didn’t hurt that the Venus 3 consisted of R.E.M. members Peter Buck (guitar) Scott McCaughey (bass) and Bill Rieflin (drums). When three quarters of the band are used to playing arenas together you have found a fine collection of “go to” guys. Of course the history of the pairing goes all the way back to Peter Buck playing on Hitchcock’s Globe Of Frogs album in 1988, and Buck, Hitchcock, and Rieflin all contributing to Scott McCaughey’s post-Young Fresh Fellows band, the Minus 5.
So, in essence, these chaps appear to be inseparable. It’s no surprise then that this collection would end up as Hitchcock’s backing band. In fact, they probably would have been pretty pissed if he had hired anyone else!
As previously mentioned, Ole! Tarantula was a fantastic rocker. From the opening Bowie-esque blast of “Adventure Rocket Ship,” through the Arthur Kane tribute “N.Y. Doll,” the album shifted successfully between stylistic gears making it a refreshing ten song jaunt. Hitchcock seemed to be really onto something fun and exciting with this new outfit, so I was very much looking forward to this newest offering, Goodnight Oslo.
Listen to “Adventure Rocket Ship”
Listen to “New York Doll”
But I guess the shoes of Ole! Tarantula are a bit tougher to fill than I had initially suspected. More likely is the fact that the Venus 3 were just not used as effectively as they had been on the previous album. Goodnight Oslo is much more of a dark pop album than the previous outing. It sounds similar to some of the over-produced material Hitchcock was releasing in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Sure there are still some great songs on the disc, but too much of it is dragged down by the duds.
It doesn’t help that the first song is one of the throwaways. “What You Is” is an over-worked pop song that =comes off as way too kitschy. It has some swagger to it, but it just doesn’t seem to fit into Hitchcock’s song canon. The second song “Your Head Here,” and another tune midway through the album, “Hurry for the Sky,” both seem to suggest that Hitchcock has been absorbing some moody country tricks from label mates the Sadies. The latter especially has their signature feel.
Listen to “What You Is”
Listen to “Hurry for the Sky”
The disc reaches it’s low point at track three, “Saturday Groovers,” which sounds like Robyn covering a Bay City Rollers track. Just way, way too saccharine. Luckily the disc recovers nicely with the stellar, “I’m Falling,” probably the best song off this collection, and the one which easily matches the majestic feel of Ole! Tarantula’s “N.Y. Doll.” The song is classic Hitchcock in it’s delivery, and the build-up to the chorus is one of Robyn’s best ever. A definite album highlight.
Listen to “Saturday Groovers”
Listen to “I’m Falling”
The second half of the disc proceeds with greater success than the first half since there are no out and out throwaways. Nothing really stands out either, until the final track “Goodnight Oslo,” rolls around. As the second killer song on this album, “Goodnight Oslo” is more subdued in it’s attack than “I’m Falling,” proceeding almost like a pressure cooker from start to finish, relying heavily on McCaughey’s driving bass line. It also turns out to be the most rocking song on the disc, which is a nice way to close it out. I would say if you’re a fan pick up this disc on the strength of about 40% of it’s content, newbies may wanna steer towards 2006’s Ole! Tarantula, 1990’s stripped down Eye, or 1984’s landmark I Often Dream Of Trains.
