Robyn Hitchcock - 1999 - Jewels For Sophia

Quality: 4 out of 5

Trip-O-Meter: 3.5 out of 5

This is sort of the starting point for the modern day Robyn Hitchcock vibe, and it's probably the album of his I've listened to the most. I grabbed a promo copy of this one in a groovy purple case at the university radio station that I used to DJ at, although I subsequently lost it to an old girlfriend (although in full disclosure, I probably deserved it). I recently came across a copy of it again, and realized that half the songs on here have been bouncing around in my head for the past 12 years. This is Hitchcock's songwriting at it's catchiest, and the indie rock royalty groove is boosted with the jangling guitar of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck on a few tracks.

Opening track "Mexican God" gets a prime spot in the top of the pops of my head, and the fine lyrics ("Time will destroy you like a Mexican god.") are shored up with an acoustic arrangement backed by a slowly pounding beat. My band at the time of this release seriously considered taking on the name of this track - that or the absurdly referencing 'Sexxxican Gods.' 'Viva Sea-Tac' is a mildly dopey, but infectious stomping ode to Hitchcock's adopted home base. 'I Feel Beautiful' and the closing title track pretty much own the psychedelic ballad, while 'Sally Was a Legend' and 'Elizabeth Jade' are endlessly catchy rockers that suggest what Syd Barrett would have sounded like fronting an indie band. And I'd be remiss not to mention the infamous hidden bonus track paranoidly ranting on about Gene Hackman.

I don't think that this one typically tops most people's list of Robyn Hitchcock albums, but it's pretty near this top of mine. With some wonderfully crisp production and some lyrics that sound hit in the head with a psychedelic paddle, it'll at least keep you entertained for three quarters of an hour. We'll give a pass to the already dated album cover, which would probably be a fitting one for the worst of Sarah McLachlan.

Robyn Hitchcock - 1990 - Eye

Quality: 4.5 out of 5
Trip-O-Meter: 3.75 out of 5 (5 for the lyrics)

Eye is a Robyn Hitchcock effort without the Egyptians, or any other backing band for that matter. The only sounds on the album are Hitchcock's voice, acoustic guitar, rather stately sounding piano, and a very occasional percussive thump. I have to admit that I'm usually a sucker for strange processed sounds and warped production. We have none of that here, but the spare sound does play to Hitchcock's strengths and probably stands next to the similarly arranged I Often Dream Of Trains as Hitchcock's best album.

Hitchcock is one of the best modern lyricists around, and certainly one of the trippiest. His voice, while not technically great, is full of character and also one of his best assets. Every lyric on Eye is delievered crystal clear backed with almost endless layers of meaning. Certaintly "Napoleon wore a black hat, ate lots of chicken, and conquered half Europe" has to be one of the best opening lines on any album ever. "Queen Elvis's" opening line "People get what they deserve/Time is round and space is curved" would have been a contender also had it been track one. Both the opener "Cynthia Mask" and "Queen Elvis" are early highlights of this disc.

Every track here has something great to offer. Depending on the listener, you might prefer the wacked out vibe of tracks like "Certaintly Clicklot" or "Clean Steve." If you're like me, you might like the spacey acoustic vibe of stuff like the tracks I quoted in the last paragraph, "Glass Hotel," or "Aquarium" (which actually does feature an electric guitar). I feel it's hard for anyone to deny the devastating lyrical and vocal impact of "Linctus House," or "Agony Of Pleasure." There's a nice instrumental halfway through with "Collage Of Ice."

While Eye is a spare album, it sports great production. His voice is in top form and supported by a crisp sound with just the right amount of echo, and sometimes a few harmony Robyns joining in. The guitars and pianos are balanced just right on every tracks. Compared to a Sgt. Pepper, many folks think it must be easy to produce an acoustic album, but the spare balance is often difficult to achieve, yet Eye hits it on the mark. This sound fits Hitchcock like a glove, and I was not at all disappointed when I attended a Hitchcock show four years ago and found it to be completely solo (usually I want to hear a band at a rock club). Eye's quality is a testament to this.

The bonus tracks here are once again demos, and have a few amusing, if minor, changes. I think they serve to show just how well the proper album is produced.

Buy Me:
Robyn Hitchcock - Eye