Frenchy’s Fracas

General Description
Artist/Band: Edie Brickell And New Bohemians
Album Title: Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
Year: 1989

Paul Simon’s a lucky bastard?
 
How I Got Into This Music
Well, way back in ‘89 this great single was hitting the charts called Circle and it just broke my heart, still does. The album was the first or second CD I’ve bought when I finally got enough cash to buy me a stereo set.

Album info at Answers.com || Google Search: Other reviews of this album

Tracks that got my attention:
What I Am
First hit single of the album. It’s her brittle voice and the nice smartypants lyrics: enough contrasting and confusing words and sentences to get everybody’s attention.
Philosophy is a walk on the slippery rocks.
Religion is a light in the fog.

And of course, the chorus - annoyingly catchy..

Little Miss S.
The village idiots in her bed
Never cared that her eyes were red
Never cared that her eyes were dead
In the hours that her face was alive
It was the thing just to be by her side

Very powerful words..

Air Of December
A lil bit overproduced, but the intro’s still nice and that fret-less bass, yummy!

The Wheel
The childlike style of singing grabs your attention, love these lines:
All your thoughts are in another head,
Your dreams are sleeping in a different bed.

Love Like We Do
Or was this her first hit single? Damn, can’t remember.. [googling.. googling.. ah!] Nope, this one was released later on.. Anyways, love the guitars, the summer feeling and always that very fine balance of her vocals making me ecstatic on the one hand and ready-to-stomp-on-little-puppies annoyed on the other

Circle
Oooooooh.. Very delicate.. And very smart writing - turning the theme around at the end? Great work:
When I’m all alone it’s the best way to be.
When I’m by myself nobody else can say…

Me, I’m a part of your circle of friends
and we notice you don’t come around.

And I just love that closing:
Halalalalalala

She
Here’s where the balance tips off to the annoying side..

Nothing
Lyrics are excellent, can’t tell you how many times this one’s lifted my spirits

Keep Coming Back
Short and sweet

I Do
I want someone to follow who doesn’t lead the way
I want someone to listen who won’t repeat what I say

Great wish list, heheh..

Conclusion
Over the years, I’ve neglected this album off and on; it sometimes gets me all calm, relaxed and invigorated and.. sometimes it just bores the living hell out of me.. And that contrast, that delicate balance is why I still love this album.
It’s not one of my favorites, but it really is an impressive collection of Real Americana singer-songrighter tracks.

Rating: (memory lane..)

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