Waking up late on Saturday morning to read the story about the atrocities in Paris. There are no words so here is some music. The second song from their second album Squeezing out Sparks. Undeniable strongly reminiscent of Costello in terms of the delivery. But this is a great song which will lead me to investigate their stuff further. In the meantime here's Robert Christgau's review. It was voted Village Voice's album of the year in 1979.
Squeezing Out Sparks [Arista, 1979]
An amazing record. Parker's mood, which has narrowed into existential rage with a circumstantial root, makes for perfect, untamable rock and roll. Guitar, drums, vocals, lyrics, and hooks (and more hooks) mesh into ten songs so compelling that you're grateful to the relative lightweights for giving you a chance to relax. And if Graham is pissed off merely because he's not a big star yet, he translates his frustrations into credible, emotionally healthy anger--the kind you feel when they can't fit the real news into print. A
An amazing record. Parker's mood, which has narrowed into existential rage with a circumstantial root, makes for perfect, untamable rock and roll. Guitar, drums, vocals, lyrics, and hooks (and more hooks) mesh into ten songs so compelling that you're grateful to the relative lightweights for giving you a chance to relax. And if Graham is pissed off merely because he's not a big star yet, he translates his frustrations into credible, emotionally healthy anger--the kind you feel when they can't fit the real news into print. A
Very underrated for a very long time. I remember buying The Up Escalator when it came out and people actually made fun of me. Should have been at least as famous and successful as Costello, in my opinion. And he does Americana much better than Costello at this stage in their respective careers.
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